The Grower

Optimizing crop nutrition profitably: every nutrient counts

Jason Haegele — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 20:11:01 +0000

Optimizing crop nutrition profitably: every nutrient counts

Jason Haegele October 17, 2022

Optimizing crop nutrition profitably: every nutrient counts

A balanced fertility program is the cornerstone of high-yielding, superior-quality harvests.

Polysulphate by ICL is a naturally mined, sustainable fertilizer containing four essential nutrients (S 19.2%, K 14%, Mg 3.6%, Ca 12.2%).

Jason Haegele

October 17, 2022

With increased focus on soil health, environmental impact, and nutrient innovation, the nutrients and products we focus our dollars on are becoming increasingly important. So how do you know which nutrients your crops need most? Many great tools are available to agriculture producers to help optimize nutrient applications. These include traditional soil testing, tissue analysis, and digital tools, which allow for more precise variable rate applications. New technologies like biologicals, fertilizer enhancers, and multi-nutrient sources like ICL’s Polysulphate promote greater ROI from nutrients already in a grower’s plan. Most of the time, primary macronutrients take a starring role in nutrient management programs. But, despite the emphasis we place on NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), the reality is that all crops require at least 17 essential nutrients. Building a balanced fertility program is the cornerstone of high-yielding, superior-quality harvests.

Sulfur (S), for example, is often eclipsed by N, P, and K, but in its own right, it is an indispensable macronutrient—and a limiting factor in crop yield and quality. Recently, awareness of the importance of S in modern crop production systems has grown. Sulfur deficiencies are more commonplace due to changes in emissions controls. Additionally, greater productivity from modern crop genetics and unpredictable weather conditions have led to variability in soil organic matter mineralization and leaching losses for key nutrients.

Traditionally, elemental sulfur, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium thiosulfate have been the go-to S source in North American cropping systems. While they all have various benefits, most sulfate-based S sources have a common weakness . . . availability. Finding nutrients that provide a sustained release to the crop throughout the entire season is now essential to meeting today’s growers’ needs.

Using Polysulphate as an example, its unique gradual release ensures that S is available during crucial growth stages like rapid vegetative growth and reproductive development. In addition to being a great source of S, Polysulphate contributes a low-chloride source of potassium, plus calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). For growers, this means one product addresses the need for sulfur in addition to providing other essential nutrients. Using Polysulphate to improve yields means agronomists and growers can consider options to reduce or eliminate other common fertilizer sources like ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate, or gypsum.

Although quality is not the primary economic factor for row crops like corn and soybeans, it is especially important for specialty crops like fruits and vegetables. While yield is a driving element in nutrient management, balanced fertility can also improve quality. Field trials show, for example, that in addition to yields of Polysulphate being comparable to or greater than other common S sources, the Ca and Mg often contribute to improved quality factors. The bottom line is that a comprehensive fertility program focused on a balanced supply of nutrients is essential to maximizing the return for every fertilizer dollar spent.

Jason Haegele, Ph.D, leads ICL’s research collaborations in North America and is a graduate of the University of Illinois and Iowa State University.

Crop Protection

Standard (Image)

Mon, 10/17/2022 - 12:00

Check if it is latest news (for "Latest News" page)

Add new comment

Suppressing blueberry maggot in organic blueberries

Anonymous — Mon, 02 May 2022 14:58:19 +0000

Suppressing blueberry maggot in organic blueberries

Anonymous May 02, 2022

Suppressing blueberry maggot in organic blueberries

Highbush blueberries

Lowbush blueberries

Anonymous

May 02, 2022

Blueberry maggot is an unappetizing prospect for both Canadian consumers and organic blueberry growers alike.

One of the most serious blueberry pests, blueberry maggot has become a major problem in the Maritime provinces¹, as well as the southern areas of Quebec and Ontario in recent years. The maggots can infest both lowbush and highbush blueberries, and since the larvae feed and develop within the fruit, the berries quickly become unmarketable.

Impact of the blueberry maggot

When blueberry maggots are left uncontrolled, almost 100 per cent of the blueberries in a field may be infested. Additionally, the movement of blueberry plants, fresh fruit and soil from regulated areas known to be infested to non-regulated areas is restricted², and blueberry maggot is a regulated pest under the Plant Protection Act.

Luckily, organic blueberry growers can now turn to Entrust™ Insecticide with Qalcova™ active (spinosad) for peace of mind and protection. In 2021, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) announced the approval of a minor use label expansion registration for Entrust for the suppression of blueberry maggot on highbush and lowbush blueberries in Canada.³

Entrust™ Insecticide with Qalcova™ active

Entrust provides the performance organic growers have come to trust. Entrust is active on several important insects, with a unique mode of action that is low impact to beneficial insects when used according to the product label.

Qalcova™ active (spinosad) was the first commercialized active ingredient in the unique class of insect control products, the spinosyns. Qalcova has a natural origin and is produced from the metabolites of the naturally occurring soil bacterium, Saccharopolyspora spinosa.

For the best suppression of blueberry maggot in highbush and lowbush blueberries, follow these application best practices:

• Apply 219-440 mL Entrust Insecticide per hectare in sufficient water (300 – 500 L/ha of water) to ensure thorough and complete coverage of the foliage.

• Use the maximum rate when insect pressure is high.

• Application should be based on the presence of adult pests (flies) as determined by local monitoring.

• Use a maximum of three applications per season and allow 7-10 days between applications.

Carlie Melara — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 16:23:56 +0000

October 2023 | Volume 73 Number 10 Carlie Melara Thu, 09/21/2023 - 12:23

Url Issu

https://issuu.com/thegrower/docs/the_grower_oct_2023_web?fr=sMTYyZDYzMTA1ODA

Pdf

The Grower_OCT 2023_web.pdf (11.36 MB)

Date release

Thu, 09/21/2023 - 00:00

Year

2023