Understanding the Crop and Soil

A key lesson learnt from experience is the importance of understanding both the crop and the medium it’s anchored in. This knowledge can unlock the full potential of the combination. Fixed recipes for a given crop won’t necessarily yield the same success elsewhere, as the specific soil, location, and crop interact in complex ways. Historically, researchers referred to this combination as a soil-crop ecotope, highlighting the need to avoid one-size-fits-all approaches.

Involving a Kynoch Agriculturalist and Agent

To ensure the best possible outcomes, it’s advisable for producers to involve a Kynoch agriculturalist and agent in their planning and decision-making process. These experts can provide valuable insights and guidance on the most effective fertilisers, soil conditioners, and growth stimulants for each specific crop and soil combination. Various baskets or groups of plant nutrients, bio-stimulants, and even soil conditioners can enhance any crop production system.

Liquid Fertilisers and Hydroponic Systems

Kynoch offers a range of high-quality clear liquid fertilisers, which can be used in conjunction with dry fertiliser options. Liquid alternatives are available for most dry fertiliser options, and specialised crops can be fertigated or fed through hydroponic systems. Nutritional feed for these crops requires specialised knowledge about soil and water quality, as well as the specific types of macro-, secondary-, and micro-elements needed. Managing electrical conductivity and salt indexes in the water, fertiliser solution, and wetting zones in the soil is crucial for optimal growth.

Vegetable Production

Vegetables are typically planted in rows, with fertiliser banding during planting. An Ultra-fertiliser (micro-element coated) banded during planting ensures a complementary array of nutrients within immediate access of roots. KynoKelp seaweed extract can be used as a foliar after emergence (or transplanting) to benefit early root development and growth. After emergence, Veggie Oemff, together with KynoFulvate Yellow (an uptake enhancer) as a foliar, promotes healthy growth. KynoHumate Black can be used as a soil conditioner to benefit roots and nutrient uptake from the soil.

Unlocking Potential

In row crop production, a key insight for unlocking potential is Ultra technology for vegetables. Loads of micro-elements coated onto every fertiliser granule are present and available in the soil after banding and are highly plant absorbable. Ultra can be made for planting blends with KynoPlus stabilised urea. Various Oemff products are available for foliar toppings, in association with KynoKelp seaweed extract and KynoFulvate Yellow. Sulphur-containing KynoPlus top- or side-dressing blends, with or without potassium, are available.

Permanent Crops

Permanent crops like vines, stone and pome fruit, citrus, nuts, avocado, litchi, banana, and dates are grown in South Africa. Each one can be seen as a speciality, requiring specific nutrients and care. In the basket for this group, there are multiple excellent options (dry granule, water-soluble, and liquids). For macadamia, for instance, a KynoMac range of products is available to provide specific nutrients.

Conclusion

Getting ready for a new season requires careful planning and consideration of the unique needs of each crop and soil combination. By involving a Kynoch agriculturalist and agent, and utilising the right fertilisers, soil conditioners, and growth stimulants, producers can unlock the full potential of their crops and achieve optimal growth and yields.

Compiled by Chris Schmidt on 082 885 8134, or email chris.schmidt@kynoch.co.za, and Chris Burbidge on 083 702 0760 or email chris.burbidge@kynoch.co.za.

– KynoKelp® M314 (Act 36 of 1947)
– KynoFulvate Yellow® M261 (Act 36 of 1947)
– KynoHumate Black® M350 (Act 36 of 1947)
– KynoPlus® K8024 (Act 36 of 1947)
– KynoMac® 6:0:10 (30) K11218 (Act 36 of 1947)

Read the full article: 3 minute read

The post Getting Ready for a New Season: Unlocking Crop Potential first appeared on Kynoch Fertilizer.

The Purpose of Plant Biostimulants

Unlike the essential botanical macronutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, contained in commercial fertilizers, only comparatively small quantities of these materials are required. Although some may have nutrient properties, these are secondary to their intended role. In practice, their primary purpose is to enhance or expedite a plant’s nutritional processes rather than acting as an additional source of nutrients. However, like animals, plants are frequently exposed to various forms of stress. It is termed ‘abiotic stress’ when its origin is physical rather than biological. Applying suitable plant biostimulants can also help them cope when exposed to stressful conditions.

Types of Plant Biostimulants

Abiotic stress can take various forms. For example, drought is becoming increasingly frequent in South Africa. Also, in coastal regions, soil salinity is often high. Other physical factors that can impede a crop’s development include extreme temperatures, excessive dampness, insect pest and a long list of crippling crop diseases.

So, what sort of materials can alleviate these problems and enhance crop growth? In practice, many materials display these valuable properties. However, agriculturists generally divide these into two main categories when classifying plant biostimulants. They are either organic substances or microorganisms.

Regardless of the type, their actions closely parallel those of the vitamins and dietary supplements favoured by many health-conscious humans. As a matter of fact, ascorbic acid or vitamin C extracted from citrus fruits is a common ingredient used in these products. Other sources of suitable organic compounds include algae, animal tissues and fruit and vegetable waste. The raw materials undergo enzymatic hydrolysis during the manufacturing process to form protein hydrolysates. These contain amino acids, peptides and other compounds, the active ingredients of commercial plant biostimulants.

The second group of materials comprises various bacteria, non-pathogenic fungi and nematodes. The latter are tiny multicellular insects with non-segmented bodies that act as natural pesticides, avoiding the need to apply toxic chemicals. As biological entities, it is the by-products of their metabolism that benefit plant growth and health.

Choose Kynoch to Enhance Plant Nutrition

Kynoch, an acknowledged leader in plant nutrition and welfare, has developed two products to combat abiotic stress and boost plant physiology. You are welcome to download more information about our world-class KynoHumate Black and KynoFulvate Yellow.

The post Difference between Plant Biostimulants and Plant Nutrients? first appeared on Kynoch Fertilizer.

Like all living things, plants require a wide range of chemical nutrients to grow, thrive and reproduce. In the case of plants, these substances may be present in adequate quantities in the soil or might need to be added in the form of natural or synthetic fertilisers. To help fight pests and diseases, spraying crops with pesticides may also be necessary. However, plants are often exposed to other sources of stress, including extreme temperatures, high soil salinity levels and drought. To resist these so-called abiotic stresses, they rely on plant biostimulants.

These stress-resisting agents can be any material containing chemicals or microorganisms able to stimulate some natural process essential for plant growth and health. These abilities are independent of any nutrient properties they may also possess. As well as providing increased resistance to abiotic stress, these materials may enhance nutrient uptake or improve utilisation. They are typically required in relatively small quantities, contribute little or no direct nutrient value and consist of two main classes, microbial or non-microbial. Natural or synthetic organic compounds are the primary ingredients of non-microbial plant biostimulants.

The natural compounds are typically obtained from seaweed extracts, algae, animal protein hydrolysates, amino acids and chitin. The active compounds in these materials mimic the physiological actions of various plant hormones, including cytokinins, auxins and gibberellins. For example, cytokinins aid cell division, vascular development and nutrient mobilisation. Gibberellic acid stimulates germination, and auxins regulate the chemical processes involved in every stage of a plant’s growth. Other commonly used substances in the non-microbial category include humic and fulvic acids, ascorbic acid and other vitamins.

By contrast, microbial plant biostimulants consist of living organisms. These include bacteria, non-pathogenic fungi, protozoa and nematodes. The class also includes arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which can form a symbiotic association with a plant’s root system. In this case, the benefits to plants are derived from the products of the natural physiological processes that enable these various soil microorganisms to thrive. In practice, much of the evidence for the efficacy of these products is empirical, and the precise mechanisms involved remain uncertain. Nevertheless, the increased resistance to physical stresses and disease, vigorous growth and high yields experienced by farmers who choose to apply plant biostimulants to their crops speak for themselves.

Kynoch has conducted extensive research in this field. Based on our findings, we have developed two world-class products – KynoHumate – Black and KynoFulvate – Yellow. The former is a humic acid-based soil amendment that reduces leaching and increases nutrient availability and tolerance to salinity stress. The latter contains fulvic acid to promote germination, nutrient uptake, and improved growth. We invite you to download more information about these proven effective plant biostimulants.

The post Plant Biostimulants and Their Function first appeared on Kynoch Fertilizer.