Use Bioavailable magnesium to improve produce quality

USE BIOAVAILABLE MAGNESIUM

TO IMPROVE PRODUCE QUALITY

Magnesium (Mg) is the powerhouse behind photosynthesis in plants. Without adequate Magnesium, chlorophyll cannot capture sun energy needed to photosynthesise. It aids in plants’ ability to form sugars and starches and is needed to give the plants their green colour. Mg is involved in many aspects of plant metabolism, encouraging healthier crops with improved quality produce and nutrient value that is passed to our food.

Early symptoms of Mg deficiency impairs the development of sink organs such as roots relative to shoots, which is particularly critical for those crops storing substantial carbohydrates or oils in tubers, bulbs, and grains. Particularly for these crops, high quality produce strongly depends on sufficient Mg availability (Grzebisz 2013). The key to having optimum uptake of your applied Magnesium is to choose a formulation that is highly bioavailable, such as BIOMIN amino acid chelated Magnesium. Bioavailability ensures high absorption, little runoff or wasted product and less biochemical energy utilised by plants. BIOMIN minerals utilise advanced technology whereby the molecules are chelated in amino acid Glycine. Plants readily absorb Glycine, and systemically transport it to areas of the plant where it is needed most. This higher uptake means less product is needed, and therefore less tractor runs to apply it. A study investigated the effect of MgSO4, Amino-acid chelated Mg (Mg-AA), and Mg-EDTA on quality parameters of Chinese cabbage (Han et al. 2010). Concentrations of chlorophyll, soluble sugar, soluble protein and vitamin C were increased only by Mg-AA chelate, whereas the other Mg sources increased yield only. In addition to choosing a bioavailable Magnesium for more precise nutrient application, a Fulvic acid plant electrolyte for overall health and performance of crops should be considered.

Dubbed as mother nature’s ‘battery’, a concentrated fulvic acid product applied to any crop will have noticeable positive improvements. Fulvic acid, like Magnesium, increases plant chlorophyll and helps to improve crop health by increasing the uptake and effect of all nutrients both soil or foliar applied. For example, a capsicum grower adding fulvic acid to their nutrient mix appeared to have lifted mineral levels in the plants in just seven days. The leaf tissue analysis showed levels of Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and Boron increased in the seven day period, even though the nutrient mix remained the same. The addition of Mobilizer (a fulvic acid product) enabled higher utilisation of the nutrients being applied, while also reducing sodium levels supporting numerous other findings around fulvic acid. Growers should ensure adequate Mg supply required for maximum yield, which at the same time will ensure optimal crop quality. However it is also important to look at more available formulations and improve the utilisation of applied minerals. The significance of Magnesium and Fulvic acid and their impact on Nitrogen and Phosphorus metabolism and assimilation should not be dismissed.

For more information contact Roots, Shoots & Fruits on rsf@rd2.co.nz or on 09 372 9155

Lettuce grow green with Enza Zaden.

Enza Zaden New Zealand celebrates a year of helping growers ‘Go Green’ via direct sales during 2020, over 100 years of vegetable breeding, and over 30 years of indirect sales in New Zealand. Developing a new, direct and positive way of doing business is rewarding and we develop closer relationships between growers and breeders. The reaction by growers, to shorten the supply chain and to be able to give direct feedback, is positive. We have all had our challenges in the past year but the amazing character, generous spirit and tenacity of vegetable growers has been a massive inspiration to us. We continue to shorten the distance between growers and our breeders. As a company and individuals we are very open, with high transparency, some people say we overshare our breeding and product development. Enza Zaden only uses global names to make global communication easier. In the last year oversharing gave insights to solve problems. That helps us to make the world a greener, profi table and more caring place for growers. The lettuce market is one of constant change, where experience and strong breeding are needed to produce the standard varieties of today and in the future. Lettuce is a product full of diversity (shape, colour, texture, taste), specifi c market and climatic requirements, plus evolving resistance to fungal disease. After many years of supplying the New Zealand lettuce market (sometimes under different names) we are excited to offer a new range of lettuce by the same great breeding team, while continuing to supply the existing range of varieties. Enza Zaden NZ has all of the varieties you know and love that were available in previous years with very few exceptions. Ask us for the latest trial varieties.

Please call us direct on 09 963 0122 to request seed or know the availability of any of our varieties. Contact Beverley Vahai 021 193 1008 or sales@enzazaden.co.nz for customer support. For technical advice on open fi eld crops, contact Aneil Hari 021 367 242, or sales manager Herman van der Gulik, 021 858 939 For glasshouse crops: Louise Millar 021 711 709. www.enzazaden.co.nz

INTRODUCING ENZA ZADEN LETTUCE

AUTUMN ICEBERG: Nolaf NEW! autumn to late autumn, medium size, dark green colour, sure heading and fast maturing, adaptable. Kravitz NEW! autumn harvest, faster maturing, medium sized, fast fi lling, sure heading, good tolerance to pinking. Witiza NEW! autumn harvest, medium to large-sized heads, highly uniform, dark green, sure heading smooth leaf. AUTUMN – WINTER ICEBERG: Pedrola, autumn standard, reliable, adaptable, produces medium sized heads with high pack out in changeable weather. Diegola, robust, adaptable winter variety, large frame and good wrap for head protection, uniform round heads. Botiola (Icebreaker), winter standard, reliable, large size heads, fi rm heads with good volume, even under adverse conditions. SPRING ICEBERG: Pedrola, spring standard, reliable, adaptable, produces medium sized heads with high pack out in changeable weather. Nolaf NEW! spring and autumn, medium size, dark green colour, sure heading and fast maturing, adaptable. Berruguete NEW! true spring variety, med-large head and frame, cold tolerant, versatile, uniform and high cut out, strong against big vein. EAZYLEAF - YEAR ROUND: Wildebeast, standard high yielding mid-dark green incised coral, serrated spiky leaves, fi ne leaf attachment with crisp texture, pair with Rhone. Rhone, high yielding deep red incised coral type, spiky serrated leaves, fresh green highlights, fi ne attachment, pair with Wildebeast. Budgee, compact green multi cos type, great taste, many leaves of the same size, perfect for salad mix leaf. GREEN OAKLEAF: Alvier NEW! mid green fresh shiny oakleaf, with smaller lobes, very uniform, high yield of well fi lled heads, open fi eld and NFT, year round production. “Lettuce help you grow your business. We love fi nding new and established varieties that work for growers. We can supply many varieties recently unavailable or discontinued at other outlets.” says Herman van der Gulik, Sales Manager, Enza Zaden New Zealand.