Nutrigation Practices and Foliar Nutrition in Asia

By Dr O. Achilea, S. Raban, J. Montag and Dr E. Barak Haifa Chemicals, Israel

Haifa is the world leader in production and marketing of SOLUBLE PLANT NUTRIENTS

Nutrigation ! Multi-K, Multi-npK ! Poly-Feed ! Eure-Ka

Foliar Nutrition ! Bonus-npK ! Multi-npK ! Poly-Feed Foliar ! Multi-MKP

Haifa is the world leader in production and marketing of SOLUBLE PLANT NUTRIENTS
Products for Nutrigation:
! ! ! !

Fully soluble crystalline potassium nitrate (13-0-46) Multi-K Potassium nitrate enriched with fully soluble phosphorus (13-3-44) Multi-npK An extensive series of fully soluble and chloride- free N-P-Ks Poly-Feed Foliar Fully soluble, crystalline N-K fertilizers Eure-Ka

Haifa is the world leader in production and marketing of SOLUBLE PLANT NUTRIENTS
Products for Foliar Feeding:
!

! ! !

Potassium nitrate enriched with fully soluble phosphorus (13-2-44), and special adjuvants for extended absorption by the leaf Bonus-npK potassium nitrate enriched with fully soluble phosphorus (13-3-44) Multi-npK An extensive series of fully soluble and chloride- free N-P-Ks Poly-Feed Fully soluble, crystalline mono-potassium phosphate Multi-MKP

What is Nutrigation ?
Plant Nutrients supplied to the plants via the Irrigation system

Nutrigation

Nutrigation: the advantages

Nutrient requirement according to crop stages (teaspoon feeding). More uniform distribution and closer to root system. Better availability of nutrients to plants. Nutrient uptake increases. Reduced losses of nutrients by leaching. Preventing damages to roots. Less costly application labor, Less soil compaction. Reduced weed population. Application flexibility (time, weather, soil).

PLANT NUTRIENTS
Macro nutrients: N (Nitrogen), P (Phosphorus), K (Potassium)

Secondary nutrients: Ca (Calcium), Mg (Magnesium), S (Sulfur) Micro nutrients: Fe (Iron), Cu (Copper), Zn (Zinc), B (Boron), Mn (Manganese), Mo (Molybdenum) Cl (Chloride)

Growing media WATER Soil Soilless

PLANTS

Nutrient Uptake Rates for Tomatoes *

12 -

Nutrient uptake rates (g / plant)

K N

10 8 6 4 2 0 -

Ca P Mg
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

1 2

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Harvest *

Transplant

Flowering and fruiting Vegetative growth

Time (weeks)

- (source: Huett 1985)

Potassium in the soil

Soluble K +
(1-2% of total)

Exchangeable K+
(1-10% of total)
Available K Inavailable K

Non-exchangeable K
(90-98 % of total)

90 - 95 % of K in the Soil is NOT Available to plants Nutrigation with Multi-K supplies the needed available K+.

Mineral K

Field management kit

SOIL TEST
EC
meter

Cl-

pH
meter

NO3-

SOIL MOISTURE EXTRACTOR

INJECTION METHODS
Quantitative Proportional

irrigation

Starts after a lag and then decreases over the irrigation time

Constant throughout the irrigation time.

Quantitative
Growth stage

. . .

Nutrients Recommended fertilizers requirement multi - K MAP AN N P2O5 K2O kg/ha/day kg/ha/day 5 11 0.8 x5 55 4 15 3.0

Veget. growth -flowering

2. 5

0. 5

Nutrigation of 5 days cycle -300

P2O5
60

600

K2O

120 irrigation days x 11 kg/ha = 1320 kg multi-K/ha

Several simple and efficient methods of nutrigation in Shandong, China

Several simple and efficient methods of nutrigation in Shandong, China

Several simple and efficient methods of nutrigation in Shandong, China

Several simple and efficient methods of nutrigation in Shandong, China

Several simple and efficient methods of nutrigation in Shandong, China

Nutrigation in a furrow irrigation system

Nutrigation in a furrow irrigation system

Fertilizer pumps
Injection or suction by negative pressure
(electricity, irrigation water pressure, combustion engine)

* Allows application by controlled nutrient concentration, * Large area can be nutrigated.

Use of liquid fertilizers (or pre-prepared from solid soluble fertilizers).

A by-pass fertilizer tank

VENTURI
(by-pass)

Proportional
Growth stage Nutrients requirement N P2O5 K2O g/m3 (ppm ) 50 10 100

. . .
Recommended fertilizers

multi-K

MAP

AN

g/m3 (ppm ) 220 17 60

Veget. growth -flowering

300

P2O5
60

600

K2O

50 m3/day/ha x 120 irrig. days x 0.220 = 1320 kg multi-K/ ha

Tank A
No fertilizers containing calcium
Potassium nitrate Enriched potassium nitrate Mono-ammonium phosphate Mono-potassium phosphate Urea Ammonium Nitrate Potassium Sulfate Phosphoric Acid Nitric Acid Magnesium Sulfate

Tank B
No fertilizers containing phosphates or sulfates Potassium nitrate Potassium nitrate
enriched with Mg Magnesium nitrate Urea Calcium Nitrate Ammonium Nitrate

Chelates Separate stock solutions should be prepared for chelates and acid solutions.

Soilless grown crops

Foliar Nutrition in ASIA

Advantages of Foliar Nutrition

! ! ! !

When nutrients are fixed in the soil To overcome limited root activity (due to low temp., flooding, nematodes, etc.) For fast curing of deficiencies. Boosting of crop performances at specific physiological stages (flower- induction, fruit setting, tillering, etc.). Compatibility with Pesticides enables tankmixing, thereby saving labor.

Should Should II spray spray or or soil soil apply? apply?

Example: Example:nutritional nutritionalrequirement: requirement: 100 kg K 2 O -K 100 kg K 2 O//ha ha= =218 218kg kgMulti Multi -K(Pot-Nit) (Pot-Nit)/ha /ha

Soil :: 1 -K Soil 1application applicationx x218 218kg kgMulti Multi -K(Pot-Nit) (Pot-Nit)/ha /ha
or: or: -K 2 Multi -K(Pot-Nit) (Pot-Nit)kg/ha kg/ha 2applications applications x x 109 109kg kgMulti

Foliar :: Foliar
-K 1 Multi -K(Pot-Nit) (Pot-Nit)//ha ha 1spray sprayat at1% 1%in in500 500L/ha L/hasupplies supplies5 5kg kgMulti In Inorder orderto tosupply supply218 218kg/ha kg/ha= =one oneneeds needsto toapply apply43 43times times

Haifa Haifa -- Foliar Foliar Nutrition Nutrition Principle Principle

Apply Applyat atthe theexact exactcritical criticalstage. stage. Apply the highest dose which Apply the highest dose whichwill willnot notcause cause phytotoxic damage. phytotoxic damage. Always Alwaysapply applyPotassium Potassium& &Nitrate. Nitrate. Use Use only onlyfully fullysoluble, soluble,chlorine chlorinefree, free,nutrients. nutrients. Dont or surfactants. surfactants. Dont add addadjuvants adjuvantsor When trying a new combination When trying a new combinationof ofnutrients nutrients with pesticides, do a small scale trial with pesticides, do a small scale trial prior priorto to large-scale treatment. large-scale treatment.

High concentration 10 g / L
K K K K k K K K K K KKK K KK K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K k K K K K K K K K K EPIDERMAL CELL K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K

Low concentration 2g/L

K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K

EPIDERMAL CELLS
K

Multi-npK

12 - 2 - 44

All the benefits of Multi-K Addition of phosphorous Adjustable pH 5.5 - 6.5

Sticker for better efficacy

Ground application on cotton

Results of a field trial conducted in the Cotton Research Institute Antalya, Turkey (1999)
20 18 Un-sprayed
multi K *

Yield - Kg / 30 m2

16 14 12 10 8 First harvest Second harvest

* Multi K applied by 3 applications at 2% , 3% & 4% at spray volume of 400 L / ha

FOLIAR FOLIAR NUTRITION NUTRITION recommendations recommendations for for most most crops crops
Standard Standard rate rate 3 5 % Multi-K 3 - 5 % Multi-K or or Bonus-npK Bonus-npK in inat atleast leastof of 400 400liters litersof of spray solution per hectare spray solution per hectare Higher HigherRates Rates When fewer When fewer applications applications are areused, used,higher higherrates ratesof of 4 6 % Multi-K or 4 - 6 % Multi-K or Bonus-npK Bonus-npKcan canbe beapplied applied Start Startspraying sprayingafter afterthe the first firstbloom. bloom. Additional Additional 3 3 to to 8 8 sprays, sprays, once oncea aweek weekor or as per insecticide spray as per insecticide spray scheduled. scheduled.

Rice & Potassium-nitrate a case study

1 - Rice plant consumes large quantity of POTASSIUM 2 The amount of available potassium in the soil is very limited
Only 1 to 2% of soil K is readily available to plants N 200 P2O5 34 K2O 204

3 The main uptake of potassium by plants occurs within a short period of growth stage

100

75

25

30

To
60

tal

50

90

120

Rice & Potassium-nitrate a case study

K Uptake
Tillering
100

Boot Flower Stage Exertion

Maturity

Growth & Nutrient Uptake (% of Total)

75

leav es

50

tot al
25

lm cu
0 30 60

s
gr
90

ain
120

Days after planting

Preparing the Multi-Rice spray solution

1- Fill the spray tank up to - with water

2 When pesticides are used, add the recommended rate

3 Add Multi-Rice and fill up water

Rice & Potassium-nitrate a case study

Spraying is timed by growth stages: 1 Tillering 2 Before flowering 3 After flowering

-R ic e

m
multi-Rice

ul

ul ti

tiR

ic

Field Trials with Multi-Rice, all over the world

VIET NAM

INDIA

THAILAND

PHILIPPINES

The effect of three foliar applications with Multi -Rice (13-3-43) in two cultivars, on yield and net profit
multi

-Rice

(13-3-43) Treatments***

Yield T/ha kg

Increase / ha Cost % -25.9 US $/ha** -294 (US$/ha) 31.50

Net Return US$/ha

Cultivar: Photong (100 days) Control 6.63 -30, 60 & 75 DAS* 8.35 1720

262.50

Cultivar: Suphan 1 (120 days) Control 30, 60 & 75 DAS* 7.03 8.20 -1170 -16.6 -200 -31.50 168.50

DAS = Days After Sowing. Concentration of multi -Rice solution: 2%, 3% & 3%, respectively ** Calculation based on yield value = 171 US$/T *** Spray volume of 375 liter / ha

(Chatpracha Sonklien, Nakornpatom - Thailand, 1998

Multi Multi-Rice -Rice(13-2-44+) (13-2-44+)::Ideal IdealFoliar FoliarFeeding Feedingfor forRice Rice

** YIELD YIELD -- increases increasesnumber numberof ofgrains grainsper perpanicle panicle ** LOGGING induces stem strength and reduces LOGGING - induces stem strength and reduceslodging lodging susceptibility susceptibility ** TILLERING TILLERING -- favors favorsand andincreases increasesthe thesize sizeand andthe theweight weight of ofthe thegrains grains ** BETTER BETTERUPTAKE UPTAKE-- increases increasesother othernutrient nutrientresponses, responses, particularly particularlyto toN Nand andP P ** TOLERANCE TOLERANCETO TOCLIMATE CLIMATE -- controls controlsstomata stomatafunction functionto to unfavorable unfavorableclimate climate ** RESISTANCE RESISTANCETO TODISEASES DISEASES -- renders rendersresistance resistanceto toblast, blast, leaf spot and stem rot leaf spot and stem rot

Pineapple & Potassium-nitrate a case study

The root system of pineapple is shallow and limited

N and K must be split into several applications

Dry matter formation and nutrient uptake of pineapple*

Nutrient uptake
Kg ha -1 g plant -1 675 15

Dry matter production

g plant -1 t ha -1 750 33.75

450

10

DM K N

500

22.50

225

250

11.25

Ca

Mg P

61 122 182 243 304 365 425 Harvest

Days from planting

* - Lacoeuilhe, 1978

FOLIAR FEEDING
Mont hly A Fertilization Practice: pplica tions Rate: 4000 L spray tank 170 kg Urea + 270 kg Multi-K
+ 100 kg MgSO4 Spray tank - 4000 liters, covers 1.7 - 3.4 hectares. Fertilizers: kg / ha - 50 - 100 Urea + 80 - 160 Multi -K + 30 - 60 MgSO4 Nutrients: Urea Multi -K TOTAL Concentration: kg N / ha 23 - 46 10 - 20 33 - 66 kg K2O / ha --36 - 73 36 - 73

6 - 7 % Multi -K + 4 -5 % Urea

Citrus & Potassium-nitrate a case study

Foliar Application of Bonus-npK (13-2-44) in Citrus :

CITRUS
K DEFICIENCY symptoms in leaves

CITRUS
K DEFICIENCY symptoms in the fruit

SPLITTING CREASING

The Effect of Bonus-npK (13-2-44) on Yield and Fruit Size of Nova Tangerine
70

Control
71.3

Multi -K

60

50

55.9

51.7

40

30

26.6
20

Yield (kg/tree)

Diam.>62mm (%)
Raber et al. 1997.

The Effect of Multi-K on Rind Disorders of Citrus Fruits

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Nova Tangerine Valencia Orange 19.6
SPLITTING

62.2 42.6

Control Multi-K

CREASING

27.6

Lavon et al., 1992, and Bar-Akiva,1975.

The Contribution of Bonus-npK to Size Distribution of the Fruit

50% 45% 41%

Control- 0 application Grower's practice Bonus-npK Multi-K

35%

Fruit size share in treatment

40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 11% 20% 27% 23%

3 X 5%

16%
12%

3%

5%

4%

0%

1%

0% 0%

50 -5%

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

95

Mean fruit diameter (mm)

Oranges (cv. Jaffa, in Israel)

SUMMARY OF FOLIAR SPRAY PROGRAMS with

Multi-K
Treatment Nutrition Increase Fruit Size Auxin Additive No. of Applic. 18 - 24 1-2 Application Time All year 2 - 3 months after fruit set After Fruit Set After Fruit Set After Fruit Set All year

Reduce Fruit Drop Reduce Splitting Reduce Creasing Suppression of Insects

( Ceroplastes floridensis comstock)

2-4 Auxin Auxin 2% Spray Oil 3-4 3-4 1-2

Spray concentration Spray volume Application rate Auxin

4% - 6% 100 - 400 Liter/ha 4 kg/ha - 16 kg/ha 18 - 20 ppm 2,4-D, (200 - 300 ppm, NAA 10 ppm TPA)

Bonus-npK (13-2-44)

" Residue on citrus leaf " 8% foliar application 6 months after being sprayed

Bonus-npK (13-2-44)
! ! !

Leaf surface magnified 12 times Crystals visible Stomata

Mango & Potassium-nitrate a case study

Multi npK

foliar application - Mango

Response of Manila Mango to Flower Induction Treatments

Days After Spraying 17 Treatment Control (unsprayed) Ethrel, 1000 ppm 0 0 2 26 38 % Flowering 0 0 27 69 1 9 38 77 54

Multi npK 2 % Multi npK 8 %

Flowering Response of Mango Shoots to Four Nitrate Salts

Multi K Sodium Nitrate Ammonium Nitrate Calcium Nitrate Untreated
I I 15 I I l 30 45 60 FLOWERING ( % ) l 75

Foliar Applications of Multi-npK in Mango Trees Flowering Induction

First Spray: When leaves are Mature - Dormant Stage Second Spray: 10 - 14 Days after first spray, whenever no
response to first spray.

Fruit Retention and Yield Increase

First Spray: When panicles in shoot 3 - 15 cm. Second Spray: When 50% to 100% of panicles in anthesis stage.

Foliar Feeding
First Spray: 42 Days after flower induction. Second Spray: 65 Days after Flower induction.

Thank you for your kind attention

Dr. O. Achilea, S. Raban, J. Montag and Dr. E. Barak Haifa Chemicals, Israel