Oleg Savenko, Technical Director of Agroliga LLC The Agroliga Russia group of companies has been exclusively representing the wide range of fertilizers on the domestic market of the Spanish company Agritekno, specializing in the production of organic fertilizers based on plant materials. These fertilizers can be fully attributed to natural biostimulants, since they include free amino acids and other organic substances that are directly involved in the metabolic processes of plants. Fertilizers produced by Agritekno are created only from plant materials by enzymatic hydrolysis in sparing conditions, with strict adherence to acid and temperature conditions, due to which they are based on free L-amino acids of plant origin.
Fertilizers for sheet top dressing based on amino acids have a number of advantages over other types of fertilizers:
- amino acids are nutrients, plant protein is made of them;
- amino acids perform the function of a chelate, while having the smallest size among other complexing agents, which ensures the maximum maximum rate of absorption of nutrients, virtually eliminating their loss;
- the plant does not spend, but rather receives additional energy, which makes it easy to absorb nutrients and resist stress factors;
- phytotoxicity for plants is completely absent.
Of course, the plants themselves are able to synthesize all the amino acids they need. However, during a period of intensive growth or under the negative influence of stress factors, the influx of amino acids from the outside allows the plant to accelerate metabolic processes without spending additional energy on their own synthesis.
Agroliga specialists developed and tested in the production environment a sheet dressing program for potatoes (Fig. 1), which has repeatedly proved its effectiveness in practice. This scheme is advisory in nature and may vary depending on the needs of the consumer and specific growing conditions.
The basis of the recommended potato leaf dressing is organic fertilizer Thecamine Max Plus, which is used to enhance the growth and development of culture, plant recovery after stressful situations. Thecamine Max Plus not only combines with other important components of foliar application, enhancing their action, but also supplements the nutrient mixtures with amino acids necessary for plants, and also provides transport of mineral nutrients in the plant. Thecamine Max Plus is especially effective on crops whose yield is highly dependent on the size of the assimilation surface of the leaves, especially on potatoes. For almost all cultivated plants, the yield is directly dependent on the size of the photosynthetic apparatus or leaf surface. The visual effect of the use of Thecamine Max Plus is expressed precisely in the increase in the aerial part of the plant, increased color intensity of the leaves and in a healthier appearance of the plant. The consequence of the general improvement of the leaf surface is the formation of a larger crop - both aboveground and hidden underground.
The use of Thecamine Max on potatoes is the most effective and economically viable. Table 1 presents the results of foliar application in different regions and in different years. In addition to an absolute increase in productivity, the effect of this biostimulator is to equalize the fractional composition of tubers and increase the yield of marketable products.
Thecamine Max Plus treatments fit perfectly into the potato protection system. So, the first treatment (with a potato height of 10-15 cm) is usually combined with the use of herbicides or with the first fungicidal treatment; the following - after 15-20 days - from the tank mix with fungicides and (or) insecticides before flowering and after its completion. It is usually enough to carry out 3-4 treatments, consumption rate: from 1 to 3 l / ha. In this case, it is desirable to adhere to the principle of “Better less, but more often”, then the effect of biostimulation will be stronger.
Thecamine Rais Plus It is used in the processing of seed potato tubers before planting (or during planting using the applicator on the planter) to stimulate the development of the root system. It consists of free L-amino acids, macro- and microelements, as well as seaweed extract. Seaweed extract contains natural phytohormones that stimulate the development of the root system, and vegetative growth - auxins and cytokinins. The powerful development of the root system in the initial period of development allows the plant to quickly develop into an independent organism, independent of the nutrition of the mother tuber substances. Accordingly, the nutrients of the main mineral fertilizer are more efficiently consumed.
Fertilizer line Teknokel Amino (13 grades) are designed specifically for use as leaf correctors of plant nutrition, depending on the deficiency of a particular meso- or microelement (according to the results of leaf diagnostics or for the preventive elimination of possible microdeficiency depending on the needs of the plant). Thus, the use of Teknokel Amino Bor Plus fertilizer significantly reduces the risk of scab tubers, and Teknokel Amino Calcium Plus allows the tubers to form a denser skin, which contributes to better preservation during transhipment and storage. Teknokel Amino Mix Plus is recommended to be used as insurance to eliminate the possible deficiency of any of the microelements.
The Agritekno range of fertilizers also includes Kontrfit fertilizers, which do not contain amino acids, but they contain essential nutrients, in addition, they have a protective effect for plants.
Controllite PK (potassium phosphite) - a liquid fertilizer with a protective effect contains phosphorus in the form of phosphite (30%) and potassium (20%). Due to the fact that the phosphite molecule contains only three oxygen atoms (there are 4 of them in phosphate), a high penetration rate and mobility inside the plant are ensured. Its use is most effective in those moments of plant life when the need for phosphorus-potassium nutrition is highest and additionally protects against fungal diseases (due to the toxicity of phosphite for many pathogens of fungal diseases).
Controllite Cu differs from other copper-containing fertilizers in that it contains copper in the form of gluconate, that is, associated with an organic acid of low molecular weight - gluconic acid. Thanks to this complex, the absorption and movement of copper in plants is improved. Copper is directly involved in the main process for plants - photosynthesis, increasing the chlorophyll content in plant tissues. The fungicidal properties of copper in relation to fungal and bacterial diseases have also been known for a long time.
Fertilizers of the Controlfit line successfully fit into the classical schemes for foliar application and supplement it. Tables 2 and 3 show the results of various production options for leaf dressing of potatoes with Agritekno fertilizers.
When preparing working solutions, we recommend using a water conditioner Tekhnofit pH, which significantly reduces the risks associated with water quality, the use of non-original pesticides, and increases the biological and economic efficiency of plant protection products and fertilizers for foliar application.
TekhnofitrN simultaneously acidifies alkaline, softens hard water, reduces the surface tension of water, improves the penetration of working solutions into the sheet and eliminates foaming.
On potatoes and vegetables, especially in arid conditions, drip irrigation systems are increasingly being used, which makes it easy to ensure fertigation of plants, that is, the supply of dissolved nutrients with water during irrigation. This method is the most optimal and convenient way to provide plants with all the necessary substances. . The Agritekno fertilizer assortment contains fertilizers specially designed for fertigation - Agriful Plus and Agriful M40 Plus.
Agriful Plus - This is an organic liquid fertilizer based on fulvic acids with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Fulvic acids, unlike humic acids, have high biological activity, high mobility, good penetration into plants, especially through the root system. These substances regulate the metabolism of plants, improving the permeability of cell membranes, activating enzymes; have the ability to transport mineral salts and nutrients from the soil to plant cells; increase the availability of essential micro and macro elements.
Agriful Plus is recommended for root top dressing throughout the growing season (application rates 3,0-5,0 l / ha with an interval of 10-15 days). Agriful Plus can be used both in traditional crop production and in ecological production, wherever there is a technical possibility for fertigation.
In tests of the Talbovskaya Station of the Agrochemical Service (Voronezh Region) in 2017 on Krona potatoes, three times a root top dressing with Agriful M40 Plus fertilizer in a dosage of 3 l / ha (in phases: full germination, budding and after flowering) allowed to receive an increase tuber productivity of 21,6% (96 kg / ha), with a control yield of 44,4 t / ha. The payback of this fertilizer is very high: the profit margin is 27 times higher than the cost.
Employees of the Agroligi will always help you understand the issues of protection and top dressing of potatoes and other crops, advise and pick up seed, protection and top-up schemes that meet your specific conditions. For advice and on the acquisition of seeds, plant protection products, fertilizers and agrochemicals, contact the branches and regional offices of the company.