Small, soft fruits such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries thrive on fertile, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Their nutrient needs can vary widely according to yield expectations and soil characteristics.
Applying dissolved fertilizers via micro-irrigation systems or leaf sprayers offers commercial fruit and vegetable growers clear-cut gains – in terms of input costs, nutrient use efficiency, labour, time and energy.
The drive for ever higher crop yields is shifting the focus onto secondary nutrients such as calcium and magnesium. In this article, we look at the role of magnesium and calcium in crop nutrition and the main fertilizer product options.
The overuse of limited natural resources and excessive contributions to climate change are just two of the criticisms currently levelled at global agriculture. Plant scientist David Marks is addressing these criticisms head-on through the company he founded, Levity Crop Science. He believes that, with better access to the right products, farmers can bring agriculture back into balance.
New research findings strongly suggest that iodine behaves as a plant nutrient. SQM International has been quick to follow up on this discovery by launching a new speciality iodine fertilizer for fertigated crops.
Sulphur is becoming an increasingly vital crop nutrient, due to a combination of lower sulphur deposition from the atmosphere, the increasing prevalence of high-analysis fertilizers and higher cropping intensity.
The precision mixing and granulation of mineral and organic fertilizer ingredients are essential to meet growing market demand for high-value, complex crop fertilizers. Furthermore, the ability to mix and granulate in a single machine offers fertilizer manufacturers both operational and product quality advantages over traditional granulation methods.
Liquid fertilizers are emerging as a high growth, multibillion dollar market. Their growing use is linked to trends such as no-till farming and the greater adoption of precision agriculture. Leading producers and products are highlighted.
Mexico supplies more than half of the international avocado market. This oil-rich, nutritious fruit is also widely grown in Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Peru. We look at the nutrient needs of this regionally-important cash crop.
High feedstock prices and regulatory burdens continue to put pressure on European nitrogen producers to innovate.