CRISCO: a supplement to increase the size and shelf life of fruits
CRISCO is a Canadian Ascophyllum Nodosum seaweed concentrate (25%), rich in biologically active substances that promote cell division. Cell division contributes to increased fruit size both directly and indirectly because it promotes rachis enlargement and elongation resulting in increased nutrient passage.
In the last two years Cerea FCP tested the product on different crops to verify its effectiveness, a brief summary of which is provided below.
TABLE GRAPES
In the province of Bari in 2024 in two different plots (var. Regal and Vittoria) a test was carried out, in collaboration with the Saggio Agrolab centre, with a foliar treatment after opening the buds (dosage: 2.3 l/ha of Crisco).
The higher production obtained in the theses discussed compared to the witness (fig.1) is due not only to the obtaining of heavier berries but is also due to the fact that Crisco supported fruit set at a critical stage when there was a risk that the plant would drop the newly formed berries due to lack of water (figure 2). The test was conducted with the trappings of scientificity and the data that emerged are those presented, but given the size of the result we do not feel like excluding, for pure intellectual honesty, that other factors could also have contributed, in a context in which Crisco undoubtedly had a significant weight.
It is also good to keep in mind that the hardness of the treated grapes did not differ significantly from the untreated sample and this is an indication of the good shelf life of the product. Furthermore, for the apyrenous variety Crisco contained the Brix degree to an optimal value, thus limiting the rustiness phenomenon typical of this type of variety.
For more details: Stretching the rachis, stimulate it for greater yields
CHERRY
In the province of Modena, two 1 l/ha leaf treatments of Crisco were created in 2024, the first with falling petals and the second after a week on two different varieties: Samba and Ferrovia
In the Ferrovia variety, in cherries treated with Crisco, the calibers greater than 27 mm are 58.5% versus 30.6% for untreated ones (fig. 3b). For the Samba variety they are 76.8% in the theses treated against 67.9% in the theses not treated. Another aspect to underline is that in the theses treated with Crisco a greater uniformity of size was highlighted (fig. 3a).
No significant differences were found regarding the hardness and Brix grade of the fruits, a symptom of good shelf life even for the theses discussed.
For more details: Cherry, larger calibers with Crisco
KIWI
Sono state condotte due prove, la prima nel 2023 vicino a Faenza (RA) in collaborazione con il Centro di Saggio Astra, e la seconda nel 2025 in provincia di Verona, entrambe con varietà Hayward. Nel primo caso il dosaggio è stato di 2,5 l/ha di Crisco rispetto a 1 l/ha dell’ormone considerato standard commerciale con un solo trattamento in fase di allegagione. Nel secondo caso la dose di Crisco è stata di un 1 l/ha rispetto a 0,6 dello stesso standard ripetuta in due applicazioni a caduta petali e 15 giorni dopo.
Misurando i diametri (e i pesi) medi dei frutti si rilevano in genere differenze significative che pongono i frutti trattati con l’ormone regolatore della crescita in prima posizione, a seguire quelli con Crisco e infine i non trattati (fig.4).
Nel 2025 la verifica sulla sostanza secca ha però riscontrato una % di sostanza secca della tesi trattata con Crisco in linea con il test non trattato. La tesi trattata con lo std commerciale si è caratterizzata invece per un contenuto statisticamente inferiore (fig.5).
Particolare rilievo va prestato alla durezza media dei frutti, indice di buona conservabilità del prodotto: nel 2025 il regolatore della crescita si è dimostrato significativamente inferiore al test non trattato mentre Crisco ha confermato di essere statisticamente in linea con questo (fig.6).
Per maggiori dettagli: Crisco: una valida integrazione per la nutrizione del kiwi
CONCLUSIONS:
On table grapes, Crisco allowed for higher yields not only thanks to the larger size of the grapes but also because the product supported fruit set during a period of water stress. The bunch was therefore more compact and more pleasing to the eye in both varieties treated.
On cherry Crisco confirmed to standardize the fruit patches to high calibre levels.
The use of growth-regulating hormone on kiwis has proven effective, ensuring greater fruit size. However, it should be considered that, compared to Crisco, its dosage is limited to quantities defined directly on the label.
On all three crops, Crisco, in addition to having a positive impact on fruit size, gave good guarantees regarding the shelf life (thanks to the good dry matter content and hardness) and sweetness of the fruits (Brix grade).
For this reason, Crisco should be considered an interesting addition to the traditional fruit crop nutrition technique.