Latest Field Trial Results for FX3

Michael R
Oct 2
3 min read

Updated: 3 hours ago

HUMANE-FX3: Field-Proven Performance in Organic Bell Pepper Production

You can scroll to the bottom of the page to download and review the full trial results. Below is just an overview of the results.

In today’s agriculture, fertilizer decisions can no longer be made on guaranteed analysis alone. Growers face the dual challenge of producing competitive yields while maintaining profitability and protecting soil health. This is especially true in organic systems, where fertility options are limited, nutrient release patterns are inconsistent, and margins are thin.

To put HUMANE-FX3 (1-10-1) to the test, Humane Organics partnered with Holden Research & Consulting in Ventura County, California, during the 2025 growing season. The trial evaluated FX3’s performance against both a grower standard and a poultry-based organic phosphorus program in Red Cyclone bell pepper production. The findings confirm what early adopters have seen in practice: FX3 is a profitable, reliable, and biologically rich solution that enhances both yield and soil stewardship.

Trial Design and Methodology

The trial was structured as a randomized complete block with six replications, ensuring statistical reliability. Three fertility programs were compared:

Grower Standard (No P₂O₅): Soy protein hydrolysate (16-0-0) and organic potassium sulfate.
HUMANE-FX3 Program (1-10-1): FX3 applied pre- and post-plant (200 lb/ac), plus soy protein hydrolysate and potassium sulfate.
Organic P₂O₅ Program: Poultry-based blend (7.5-5-7.5).

All programs delivered equivalent seasonal nitrogen (115 lb/ac) and potassium (80 lb/ac). Only Treatments 2 and 3 received additional phosphorus (~40 lb/ac P₂O₅).

Data Collection Included:

Soil fertility (pre-plant and post-harvest)
Tissue nutrient analysis (mid- and end-season)
Early vigor and chlorophyll content (SPAD readings)
Plant biomass (roots, shoots, whole plant)
Marketable vs. unmarketable fruit, size distribution, and extrapolated returns

Key Agronomic Findings

Soil and Tissue Nutrition

Pre-plant soils: ample nitrates, moderate phosphorus, high potassium.
End-season soils: uniformly low nitrate (indicating uptake), phosphorus lower only in the no-P₂O₅ standard, potassium stable across treatments.
Tissue analysis: All treatments remained within sufficiency ranges for N, P, and K throughout the season. FX3 plots maintained ample phosphorus levels, demonstrating effective uptake and availability.

Plant Growth and Vigor

No significant differences in early vigor, chlorophyll levels, or biomass among treatments.
FX3 performed on par with the grower standard in plant development, setting the stage for yield advantages at harvest.

Yield and Market Outcomes

The real differentiation came at harvest:

Processing Market Returns: FX3 delivered a 12% increase in modeled returns compared to the grower standard.
Fresh Market Returns: FX3 achieved a 15% increase over the grower standard.
Marketable Utilization: FX3 plots produced 2–3% more marketable fruit by weight.

These improvements translate into tangible profitability for growers, whether targeting contract processing or volatile fresh markets. Importantly, FX3 not only outperformed the competing poultry-based organic phosphorus program, but also surpassed the results of four additional pepper trials run under conventional fertility management on the same farm.

Why FX3 Works

The advantage of HUMANE-FX3 (1-10-1) lies in its nutrient dynamics and biological richness:

Readily available phosphorus supports early root development and sustained fruiting.
Balanced organic nitrogen integration with soy protein ensures steady plant-available N without risk of leaching.
Biologically active base: derived from 20-year-aged hog compost, FX3 contains over 900 microbial species that contribute to carbon cycling, soil aggregation, and nutrient mineralization.

Unlike poultry-based phosphorus fertilizers, which release nutrients inconsistently and can tie up in soil, FX3 provides a consistent, plant-accessible nutrient stream, while simultaneously enriching soil biology.

The Bigger Picture: Profitability + Sustainability

The Ventura County trial makes a compelling case for FX3 as a dual-value product:

Profitability: FX3 boosts grower returns by 12–15% while improving fruit quality and market utilization.
Reliability: Nutrient levels stayed within sufficiency ranges all season, confirming FX3’s consistency.
Sustainability: Every ton of FX3 applied contributes to soil carbon restoration and microbial biodiversity, addressing long-term soil fertility and climate resilience.

For organic and transitional growers, FX3 bridges a gap long left open in the market: a high-performing, biologically robust phosphorus source that doesn’t compromise economics.

Conclusion

The 2025 bell pepper field trial demonstrates that HUMANE-FX3 (1-10-1) is more than just a fertilizer—it’s a comprehensive fertility solution. By improving returns, supporting balanced nutrition, and enriching soil biology, FX3 offers growers a path to greater profitability and long-term sustainability.

For growers navigating the complexity of organic or conventional systems, FX3 provides a rare combination: economic performance rooted in soil health.

Below are the links to download all the trial results.