Kiwifruit fertiliser ensures right nutrients at right time

Kiwifruit growers know the importance of supplying vines with nutrients at key seasonal plant growth stages.

“Nutrient deficiencies are known to impact vine health, fruit yield and post-harvest fruit storage and quality,” says Ballance Agri-Nutrients Science Extension Officer Angus Dowson. Annual fertiliser applications should aim to replace the quantity of nutrients removed during crop harvest and supply additional nutrients to support root, shoot and leaf growth, as well as maintain long-term soil fertility. “For example, when kiwifruit is harvested, more than 9t/ha of dry matter from the orchard might be removed, along with large amounts of essential nutrients. These nutrients need to be replaced, otherwise soil nutrient levels decline and vines begin to suffer.”

Soil testing

Soil testing is one of the best ways to check a fertiliser programme’s effectiveness and should be done annually between late autumn and midto-late winter at a similar time and place (to establish more robust trend data). Sampling involves taking 15-20 cores from sites across a block to best represent the block’s attributes. Blocks could be based on age, plant variety, performance, soil type, topography or fertiliser history. Clean equipment should be used to take samples from the root zone of the female vines at a depth of 15cm. Samples should be sent to the laboratory as quickly as possible.

New formula

The reformulated Advantage Kiwi fertiliser range better meets the needs of growers and reflects the latest research and expert advice on kiwifruit nutrient requirements. “The Advantage Kiwi range provides a series of science-based products tailored to meet the requirements of the kiwifruit vine throughout the year. This makes it easier and faster for growers to apply the right nutrients at critical times,” says Angus. For example, Advantage Kiwi Bud Break is specially formulated to meet vines’ requirements at bud break in September. “At bud break, vines need nutrients that will support new leaves to grow and capture the maximum amount of sunlight to turn into carbohydrates (sugars). It’s really important this process is not limited.” Advantage Kiwi Bud Break has a base of YaraBela CAN, a high-quality nitrogen fertiliser, and contains nitrogen (as nitrate and ammonium for optimum plant uptake) and fast release magnesium, both of which are critical for photosynthesis and leaf development. “Potassium is particularly important for fruit taste but also supports the plant’s water and cell structure. Advantage Kiwi Bud Break contains potassium in the form of chloride-free sulphate of potash.” Advantage Kiwi Bud Break is an excellent physical blend for spreading and depending on the yield of the orchard is typically applied in the range of 300-600kg/ha.

For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients