Adequate nutrition is crucial to a plant’s well-being at every stage during its life cycle. In much the same way as the placenta delivers food to the unborn human infant, the contents of a seed provide all the nutrients necessary for the developing plant until it takes root. The newly-germinated plant must obtain its sustenance from the environment from that point on. Carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil are the essential ingredients for metabolising carbohydrates, the plant’s primary energy source. However, only when applying a seedling fertilizer can one guarantee the ground will contain all the additional nutrients necessary to promote photosynthesis.
A deficiency of any essential nutrient in the soil can lead to abnormal growth or failure to thrive. For example, growing plants require trace quantities of the metallic element magnesium, a secondary nutrient required to synthesise chlorophyll. Other elements crucial to the development of the young plant include sulphur, zinc, copper, boron and molybdenum. While only tiny quantities are necessary in some cases, each of these plays a vital role in some aspect of a plant’s physiology. A well-formulated seedling fertilizer should contain these elements, together with the three essential macronutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, in suitable concentrations and an assimilable form.
A balanced mix of nutrients is essential for several reasons. It will speed up the process of healthy root development and help protect the young plant from stress due to adverse weather conditions, herbicides, disease and insect pests. A controlled fertilization programme can be especially beneficial when raising crops in sandy soils where the levels of these essential plant nutrients are often deficient. So, when will be the best time to apply a suitable seedling fertilizer?
The earliest visible sign of development is the appearance of the cotyledons. These leaf-like structures contain a sufficient reserve of nutrients to continue meeting the young plant’s immediate needs. Soon after, these are replaced by the first true leaves, and the plant becomes dependent upon photosynthesis. It is at this point that additional nutrients are likely to be essential.
One should apply the mixture in liquid form as using a granular product could cause burns to the delicate young shoots. Kynoch has developed a soluble seedling fertilizer called KynoPop®, which should be used as a ten per cent solution. The recommended application rate varies from four to twelve kilograms per hectare, depending on the width of the rows.
KynoPop® contains everything the young plants will need at this crucial stage in their development to ensure a healthy crop and maximum yield. Feel free to download the KynoPop® brochure to learn more about this world-class seedling fertilizer or contact Kynoch to learn more.
Kynoch’s business operation during the national lockdown.
Dear Valued Customers, Suppliers and Stakeholders
Thank you for your patience during this very challenging situation. Arising from the COVID-19 announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa ordering a national lockdown, we can assure you it will be, as far as possible, business as usual. During the lockdown our focus is on the safety and the well-being of our employees who are at the forefront to support you and your business. We are equally concerned about the safety and continued service to our customers. Therefore, all personnel will be available via email and / or cell phone during this period. We understand you are doing your best to keep food on the tables of South Africans during this time, it is therefore of paramount importance that we join hands with you in continuing to keep the food production supply chain operational.
Our aim is to minimize service disruptions offering the level of quality, responsiveness and support that you have come to expect from Kynoch.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyal and ongoing support during these trying times.
Key Contact List during the lockdown period:
Area Marketing Managers
Creditors
Jurgen Smith | jurgen.smith@kynoch.co.za | +27 (0) 83 461 2422
Debtors
Eben Steyn | eben.steyn@kynoch.co.za | +27 (0) 60 972 9987
Head of Finance
Theloshen Moodley | theloshen.moodley@kynoch.co.za | +27 (0) 82 598 2138