7 6 DON’T miss out on micronutrients! That was the clear message from Haifa Australia Southern Agronomist Sheri Robinson to the Lindsay Rural company conference at Coffs Harbour in New South Wales to ensure growers maximised crop production and returns. It also came with some living proof examples following some deficiencies of some micronutrients in select crops during the most recent season, plus some investigations being carried out with Lindsay Rural team members for the benefit of their grower customers. “NPK nutrients are the big wheels, but micronutrients play a key role and we don’t want to miss them,” Sheri told the conference. “There also can be a lot of synergism and antagonism, so we need to monitor and test for them.” She said some soil, plant tissue, water and soil solution testing had been conducted in South Australia as a case study where a lot of NPK had been previously applied to crops, but there had not been such a strong focus on micro element nutrition. “Looking at a full range of data, we are then able to go back and show what is happening, including the relevant antagonisms and synergisms, and find the necessary balance of nutrition and pH adjustments for optimum availability.” Sheri said micro elements were largely cations (boron an exception) that competed particularly with calcium, potassium, magnesium and each other. “Ammonium to nitrate balance also influences plant cation/anion uptake. Fast growth caused by high ratio of ammonium to nitrate and high nitrogen blends can dilute the micro elements at a plant level due to competition of uptake and micro element supply not meeting the growth demand by the plant.” “Most micronutrients are poorly available in soils above 7.5 pH or below 5 pH. Molybdenum, as an exception, is available at high pH but not low pH.” She said irrigated water was immediately available to plants, so growers should consider balanced feeding, including micronutrients, as well as the water’s pH and EC whilst fertigating. These can be easily checked at the dripper with a hand-held pH and EC meter during fertigation. “If your soil or water has high pH and you want your nutrient solution to be in the more acidic range, consider using Haifa’s Multi-K pHast product. Typical Multi-K potassium nitrate has a pH of 9, while the pHast product has a pH of 4. You can choose between these two products in your fertigation recipe to help adjust to the ideal water pH for nutrient uptake.” “Check pH and EC at output to the crop to ensure fertiliser is delivered at ideal levels – for example, pH 6 if alkaline soil and pH 7.5 if acidic soil. This will induce buffering that can help availability in soil solution. “Don’t forget our micronutrient products as part of your balanced feeding recipes. Or try our Poly-Feed fertilisers that are recipe-mixed for establishment, vegetative growth or productive stages. These also come in pHast low pH blends to address your soil needs.” Sheri said achieving a balance of ions, a full range of nutrition including micro elements and correct pH was the key to high production and plant performance. “Plant analysis gives a guide to performance and uptake of nutrients, and notes on plant growth and vigour, as well as photos of leaf health, should also be considered when reading these results.” Micronutrients key to maximum returns “Another reason to do plant analysis is micro elements like boron and manganese don’t show symptoms in crops until it has become more drastic, and by then it has already had a big impact.” She said the southern almond industry experienced cooler conditions last season and there were noticeable leaf health differences between trees. “Micronutrient availability for uptake is affected by soil temperature and soil moisture levels. Root activity also determines uptake and, thus, more focus on micronutrient applications is essential for uptake in these conditions.” “Microelements don’t relocate in the plant, so consistent supply to the plant is essential. “If trees are not taking up enough micronutrients from soils, then foliar applications need to be applied. Foliar applications are a good backup when root activity is slow, or when overcast and hot conditions slow transpiration. “To increase root uptake in cool, wet springs, higher phosphorus blends can be used and seaweed added to maximise root growth. Micro element soil applications combined with foliar are best in cool, wet seasons.” Haifa’s popular Poly-Feed fertiliser supplies micronutrients and the company also is now separately supplying a suite of chelated micronutrients to the local market, including a range of iron chelates. Haifa’s EDDHA iron chelate offers the highest ortho-ortho level in the market at 5.2 per cent, ensuring more efficient use of the nutrient and improved production and quality especially in high pH soils. “For foliar applications of iron, ensure pH is correct in the water and use EDTA chelates in the evening due to light degradation and optimum uptake at dew point,” Sheri said. TM Haifa quality now available in micronutrients Haifa, renowned for supplying the highest quality water soluble fertilisers, is now offering the highest quality chelated micronutrients. This includes chelates with the highest stability, such as EDDHA iron with the strongest holding ability. Haifa also can supply specific micronutrient blends compatible with a wide range of fertilisers. Introducing the highest quality iron chelate with 5.2% ortho-ortho Haifa Micro Fe-EDDHA (6% Fe) Don’t waste time and money Choose the correct iron chelate for your soil pH and carefully check its analysis Strong new option for soluble chelates Chau Hoang, who supports South Australian growers for Lindsay Rural, and Haifa Australia Southern Agronomist Sheri Robinson pictured inspecting cucumbers during a field trip held in conjunction with Lindsay Rural’s company conference at Coffs Harbour. Click for further info Multi-K pHast Poly-Feed Micronutrients
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