Achieve High Berry Quality with Cation Interaction Management
The phase during crown establishment and development of flowering leads to the most fundamental stage of production. During this stage, it is of most importance to keep in mind which nutrients are readily available either through fertigation or in the soil solution. The concentration ratio and balance among cations (calcium/ potassium/ magnesium/ sodium) plays a role in their availability. In the California coastal region, some of the limiting factors for producing quality strawberries are poor water quality, as well as saline or alkaline soils. We find ourselves having to compete with sodium (Na) or bicarbonate to get the required amount of Ca, K and Mg into the plant. Delivering these essential nutrients to the plant as needed based on field history, yield data and then soil, water and tissue analyses.
Always take into consideration electrical conductivity (EC), pH levels, and cation availability/balance in the soil. High electrical conductivity levels limit the amount of fertilizers that could be applied in the soil or through the fertigation line. Leaching strategies need to be in place to mediate these excess salts. High pH levels negatively regulate the availability of many nutrients, while high sodium levels disrupt the balance between cations in the soil. Ideal soil ratios by some suggest a 5-7:2:1:0.5 Ca:Mg:K:Na. Notice the gradually increasing demand of potassium (K) after fruit establishment.
Macronutrient Uptake
Elsanta grown in bags filled with perlite - (yield 497g/plant, 5.96kg/m2)
There are other benefits commonly found when calcium levels in the soil, plant and fruit are increased. YaraLiva® is the name for Yara’s family of nitrogen and calcium fertilizers that are suitable for fertigation. This includes both CAN-17™ and CN-9®.
Yara's newly reformulated YaraTera® NITRAKAL™ MAX1 features a balanced, maximally concentrated blend of nitrogen, potassium and calcium; giving vegetable crops and fruit trees critical nutrients that are immediately available for uptake.
In addition, Yara has a complete line of foliar fertilizers termed YaraVita®. The Vita name implies knowledge of elements and crops. YaraVita® SENIPHOS™ is a safe and effective foliar calcium fertilizer in an ortho phosphorus base used during fruit coloring and maturity.
YaraVita® MAGPHOS™ provides phosphate, soluble potash and soluble magnesium that are immediately available to the plant during flowering and early sizing. The results are stronger, healthier crops which are more resistant to adverse environmental stress.
