It's a term used to describe the density of the SAP in a plant, higher brix reading = healthier more disease resistant plant, also higher brix=higher sugar content and better taste
What proof shows that higher brix means higher quality?
Centuries of wine making and work with other fruits and vegetables always show direct relations between high Brix and high quality, expressed most simply and directly as superior taste. The process is somewhat altered for the gardener or farmer in that they test the leaf of the growing plant much earlier and are therefore afforded the opportunity to correct soil deficiencies before the crop matures. The gardener or farmer also benefits in that they soon learn that any crop with 12 or better leaf Brix will not be bothered by insect pests.
High Brix Plants Are Insect And Disease Resistant
Here we see the handiwork of our Creator. Plants in poor health emit an electo-magnetic frequency that insects tune in to. This in effect calls them in for a feast. Plants in good health emit a different frequency that insects do not tune in to. Nature has been designed to use insects to get rid of poor quality plants that are unfit for human consumption. In the same way a poorly balanced soil will produce plants susceptible to disease. Properly balanced soil will produce plants resistant to disease.
Brix measures the percent solids (TSS) in a given weight of plant juice‚ nothing more‚ nothing less.
Brix is often expressed as the percentage of sucrose. However, the "sucrose" can vary widely.
Brix is actually a sum of the pounds of sucrose, fructose, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, hormones, and other solids in one hundred pounds of plant juice.
Brix varies directly with plant quality.
For instance, a poor, sour tasting grape from worn-out land can test 8 or less brix.
On the other hand, a full flavored, delicious grape, grown on rich, fertile soil can test 24 or better brix.
Total dissolved solids (or Brix), measured with the ATC-1e Refractometer.
This number indicates the level of balance of nutrient uptake and complexing intosugars or proteins in the photosynthesis factory – the leaf.
If Brix is low, even after several hours of sunshine, some element(s) are missing in the photosynthesis factory.
Ions, if present, have not been "complexed" into sugars or proteins.
pH, measured with the Cardy pH Twin Meter, indicates elements, which may be out of balance.
For pH<6.4, consider if there is a need for Ca, Mg, K, or Na. For pH>6.4, consider possible need for phosphates or sulfates.
If the proper elements are selected and applied, the Brix reading will increase and the pH will go to the desired area of approximately 6.4. EC, measured with the Cardy Twin EC Meter, indicates the level of simple ion uptake into the plant sap.
With low Brix crop, if sap EC is too low, elements are not being made available to the plant. Look at the EC of soil/water extract (or ERGS) and take appropriate steps to correct the condition.
If sap EC is too high, elements or ions are not being "complexed" and ions such as nitrate nitrogen may be at excessive levels.
Remember that sugar is only one of the components of brix.
Also remember that many other substances can falsely indicate "brix" readings: rubbing alcohol, whiskey, vinegar, or wine (although those readings are valid in their own right). Interestingly, cooking oil, molasses, syrup, and other thick liquids require a refractometer calibrated to read 30-90 brix.
Honey is checked with a refractometer calibrated to measure the water in it instead of solids in water.
