Bio-Stimulant’s role in providing nutrition to tropical crops is increasing each season in Queensland thanks to the ever-evolving bio-stimulant fertiliser range by De Sangosse Australia, under the guidance of Regional Manager Ben Itzstein.
Sun protection, thermoregulation, and complete Nutrition throughout all stages of development coupled with stress resistance is ensuring tropical crops utilising Bio-Stimulants are flourishing.
Sealeaf Origin
Reflect
Fertigofol Ultra
Key bio-stimulant products Fertigofol Ultra, Sealeaf Origin, and Reflect provide growers with well-researched nutritional solutions for tropical crops.
“The nutritional formulation of these three products, combined with specific L-amino acids (plant-derived) and or seaweed, is and can provide agronomic benefits and solutions to growers across many systems, especially with their added compatibility with regularly used insecticides and fungicides, which is a major benefit when applying foliar fertilisers” says Ben.
Continuous trial work and farm demonstrations of these products have been a large focus for Ben to support these tropical crops. Trials have been conducted on citrus and avocado systems, as well as a focus on capsicum production.
Untreated
Treated – 5L/ha of Fertigofol Ultra at Fruit set in Hass avocados
Fertigofol Ultra
Providing nutrition throughout all stages of plant development, especially in citrus crops, Fertigofol Ultra is a complete formulation, designed to rebalance the nutritional status of plants, boosting photosynthesis and stimulating growth.
An NPK mix (plus magnesium and sulfur) combined with all micronutrients in an EDTA-chelated form. Coupled with 19 amino acids to aid with nitrogen metabolism, chlorophyll production, energy, flower production, and vegetative development, Fertigofol Ultra is easily absorbed and assimilated by the plant.
Intended for foliar use, ongoing work and use in a variety of tree crops such as avocados, citrus, lychees, and macadamias “have demonstrated its benefits during periods of high stress including applications at fruit-set, fruit-drop periods, after environmental stress, and under heavy crop load” says Ben.
Due to its formulation, Fertigofol Ultra is also an effective post-harvest or pre-flower spray in citrus, to aid in recovery due to its high amino acid content, as well as correcting nutritional deficiencies before beginning its next cycle.
Hass avocados that have had multiple applications of Fertigofol in Mareeba, QLD
Sealeaf Origin
Supporting pre and post-flowering to help with flower strength, pollination, fruit set, and early fruit development, as well as frost resistance in tropical crops are all key benefits of Sealeaf Origin.
Sealeaf Origin is a seaweed and amino acid mixture. De Sangosse’s seaweed range sources and uses Ascophyllum nodosum from the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Ascophyllum experiences extreme conditions including temperature change, solar radiation, and dry atmospheric conditions. By foliar applying Ascophyllum, it is aimed to provide seaweed molecules that will increase the plant’s ability to resist stressful situations. Supporting De Sangosse’s research, independent reviews have demonstrated that Ascophyllum has numerous benefits including favourable cytokinin and gibberellin extracts, along with increased calcium uptake. Combine these with 7 amino acids to enhance photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism, amplify auxin within the plant, and provide stress resistance, Sealeaf Origin can be used at numerous stages throughout plant development.
Future trials to be conducted in 2023 include avocados, where analysis of flower and fruit retention will be conducted, along with corresponding yields. Ben indicates that “this is following many reports that due to ongoing wet and cold weather in 2022, a short flowering window was observed, reducing fruit set and yields (especially in the Hass variety)”. By applying Sealeaf, the longevity, and viability of the flowers will hopefully be strengthened, increasing pollination.
REFLECT
Providing thermoregulation and sun protection for tropical crops, Reflect is the latest bio-stimulant developed by De Sangosse, launched late last year. A calcium-silicon liquid formulation, with added Ascophyllum, Reflect is formulated to help reduce the impact of heat stress throughout plant and fruit development.
Reflects patented deep-sea sedimentary calcite-calcium, once absorbed the calcite splits into CO2 and calcium, activating photosynthesis and aiding the opening of the stomata. This phenomenon enables plants to function and develop even under heat or water stress. The addition of silicon and seaweed provides a complete “thermo-regulator” effect, reducing the effect of solar radiation on the plant canopy and fruit, with initial trial results in France demonstrating temperature reduction on the leaf surface.
Trial work on Murcott mandarins, mangoes, and pineapples is currently being analysed, to reduce sunburn-damaged fruit. Ben has also begun farm trials on capsicums with key retailers and growers, to analyse Reflect’s benefits in battling planting shock and hot, humid conditions throughout plant growth and fruit development.
Researched, sourced, and manufactured in France, De Sangosse’s bio-stimulant range provides a complete plant nutrition package for all horticultural and tropical agriculture systems.
For more information regarding our plant nutrition range at De Sangosse Australia, ongoing farm demonstrations and trials, or compatibilities with insecticides and fungicides, please contact your local De Sangosse Australia manager.
