Some challenges organic farmers face with crop nutrient management is: The nutrient density of the organic fertilizer Nutrient ratios to supply the crop the correct nutrients at the correct time during the growth cycle The ease of application Typical compost will have an N-P-K ratio of between 1.5 (N) – 0.5 (P) – 1(K) to […]
What is happening with fertilizer prices? Adapted from articles from DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends by Russ Quinn (https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops). Fertilizer prices have steadily risen this past year, according to retail prices tracked by DTN. Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) is 74% higher than a year ago while diammonium phosphate (DAP) is 63% higher. Nitrogen fertilizers such as urea […]
Micronutrients are required for optimum crop production and the term micronutrient refers to the relative quantities required for plant growth and does not mean that they are any less important to plants than other nutrients. Wheat growth and development may be retarded if any one of these elements is lacking in the soil or if […]
Micronutrients act in limited quantities, but play a fundamental role for the biochemical processes of the plant. Their deficiency, which is only recognized in the acute phases, through alterations in the colouring of the leaves and the development of the plant, seriously compromises the yield and the quality of production. The availability of microelements is […]
WHAT IS BRIX? Brix is a measure of the dissolved solids (TDS) of a liquid (in our case plant sap), predominantly the sugar content but also minerals etc. (including amino acids, lipids, and any suspended particles or colloids). Brix is measured on a scale that quantifies the amount of light that is bent (or refracted) […]
Post-harvest (the period after harvest and before leaf senescence) fertilization play an important role in the potential crop of the following season. Replacing minerals is very important as they are transported off-site in the crop. Most of these nutrients can be taken up by the crop during the post-harvest period if they are available. In many tree […]
Visual Symptoms as a Diagnostic Tool Symptoms caused by nutrient deficiencies are generally grouped into five categories: Stunted growth, Chlorosis, Interveinal chlorosis, Purplish-red coloring and Necrosis. Stunting is a common symptom for many deficient nutrients due to their varied roles in the plant. For example, when nutrients involved in plant functions such as stem elongation, photosynthesis, […]
According to Trenkel (1997), slow- release fertilizers (SRF) or controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) are those containing a plant nutrient in a form, which either (a) delays its availability for plant uptake and use after application (SRF), or (b) is available to the plant significantly longer than a reference “rapidly available nutrient fertilizer” (CRF). Controlled release fertilizers are granulated […]
At Last Some Good News! All indications are showing that the El-Niño weather pattern is reducing and moving into a neutral state. What does that mean for us? First let’s get some information on El-Niño (and the opposite weather pattern, La-Niña): El Niño is Spanish for ‘little boy’ while La-Niña means ‘little girl’. El-Niño describes ‘the warm phase […]
In these times with the corona virus pandemic, it is important to make an informed choice when deciding which crops to grow. Producers should make sure that they know all that is required to grow a specific crop and what the market demand is for various crops. Work together with your fellow farmers to ensure […]
