BRANDT has confirmed the advantages of its nutritional program of management by fertigation and foliar fertilization in citrus, reaching an excellent vegetative state of the crop, which translates into a significant increase in production per hectare.
Achieving maximum yield per hectare, with quality and flavor, is one of the objectives of any fruit and vegetable farm. To achieve this, it is essential not only to control pests and diseases, but also to carry out adequate plant nutrition, which allows the crop to overcome biotic (presence of these pests and diseases) and abiotic (drought, weather) stress.
BRANDTwith a wide catalog of nutritional solutions, has wanted to evaluate, throughout the last two campaigns, a new nutritional management program under the Brandt protocolin a citrus farm in Oliva (Valencia).
Specifically, this evaluation began in March 2022, on a farm whose initial variety was Iwasaki (early satsumas), but which never reached adequate production. Following the farmer’s acquisition of the rights, he was grafted with Nadorcott when he was 5 years old. However, production did not fully improve due to the lack of vigor and inherited vegetation, so it was necessary to apply a nutritional plan like the one proposed by BRANDT.
The treatments were carried out during the year 2023, with a view to evaluating the results in the 2023/2024 campaign compared to the previous year.
Nutritional Management by fertigation
In this trial, management was carried out by fertigation and foliar fertilization. If we focus on the first, the treatments began in the month of February and lasted until November.
Below, we detail the Brandt solutions used, and the quantities and times of application can be seen in the calendar.
Management by Foliar Fertilization
Incorporated in the foliar treatment program (5), from BRANDT The incorporation of its nutritional and biostimulants was proposed, starting in March and ending in November.
Thus, along with the treatment to control the aphid, the cotonet and the Eutranychus mite, in addition to the fruit setting and fattening treatments, the BRANDT nutritional products were incorporated. AminoPlexBRANDT Manni – Plex Mn Zn, BRANDT Manni – Plex B MolyBRANDT Manni – Plex Ca y BURNT Manni-Plex K, Conash y BRANDT InVigo.
Brandt Results
After the incorporation of this nutritional program on the farm, The final results were an increase in the vegetative development of the tree, greater fruit set and therefore an increase in production per hectare.
Thus, as we can see in the table, a harvest per hectare went from 17,432 kg/ha in the 22/23 season to 30,841 kg/ha in the 23/24 season.
In addition, a higher appreciation of the fruit was also recorded, which translated into an increase in profitability per hectare:
- 2022/23 campaign: 10,140 kg at €0.92/Kg= €9,328
- 2023/24 campaign: 17,940 KG at €1/Kg = €17,940
These excellent results will be validated after the close of the 2024/2025 campaign, not only reflected in an increase in production per hectare, but also in the good vegetative state of the crop.