Almond mineral nutrition
Almond mineral nutrition by Antonio Perez Ortiz, Senior Agronomist Agri Technovation, California Considerable research has been conducted on the fundamentals of mineral plant nutrition for almond trees. The objective of this article is to provide a concise overview of the knowledge gained by the industry and to offer insights on what producers need to consider […]
Tree crops: Soil variation and its impact on irrigation strategies
Tree crops: Soil variation and its impact on irrigation strategies by Gareth Glasspool, Senior Soil Scientist and Marnus Ferreira, Head of Soil Science Most producers over-irrigate As controversial as this may sound, it is true. To avoid this, all factors that impact irrigation must be understood and considered when deciding on an irrigation strategy. The […]
In-furrow application: Excellent option for producer and plant!
In-furrow application: Excellent option for producer and plant! by Heinz Oellermann, Head of Grains, Agri Technovation The sustainable way forward These days farming practices are largely technologically driven. Technology comes at a cost however and should therefore be utilised effectively to ensure optimal return on your investment. A practice already widely used in the USA […]
Carbohydrates and flower development in avocados
Carbohydrates and flower development in avocados by Dr Elmi Lötze (Head of ITEST™CARBOHYDRATES and ITEST™LEAF) and Wilmé Brown (Plant Physiologist) Flower development requires energy Avocado trees flower in abundance, though only a small percentage of these flowers set and develop into mature fruit. This process is influenced by carbohydrates and plant hormones. Carbohydrates (sugar and […]
SoluPHOS™ offers a solution for macadamia orchards that will suit your pocket
SoluPHOS™ offers a solution for macadamia orchards that will suit your pocket by Riaan Brummer, Senior Agronomist, Agri Technovation Fertiliser prices necessitate effective application With the current price of macadamia nuts, it is now more important than ever to get the best value from your fertiliser. Large amounts of fertiliser are repeatedly applied over the […]
The ITEST™ CARBOHYDRATES analysis program – a new tool for citrus growers
By Erik de Vries, Agri Technovation’s Joint CEO Introduction Photosynthesis is a process used by plants to convert light energy (sunlight) into chemical energy that can later be released to fuel the plant’s activities. This chemical energy is stored in carbohydrate molecules such as sugars, which are synthesised from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The hydrogen […]
Citrus vs the salt of the earth
LJ Venter & Markus van Renssen (Horticulturists, Agri Technovation) The challenge of salinisation Soil salinisation presents a serious challenge in areas with a semi-dry climate. Saline soils lead to a variety of complications, especially in citrus, which could have a direct or indirect impact on the producer’s pocket. Where soils are irrigated with high-salinity water (high […]
The Effects of Water Quality in Irrigated Agriculture
The effects of Water Quality in Irrigated Agriculture – By Allan Huysamen (Technical Manager – Adjuvants) Introduction Water is an excellent solvent for polar molecules and charged species, including simple inorganic anions and cations. Consequently, when water interacts with mineral deposits, soils, rocks or organic material, species are solubilised within the water, defining the water’s […]
PICKLOGGER™ is a game changer
PICKLOGGER™ is a game changer – By Albert Bijker and Erald Smith PICKLOGGER™ is a game-changing device that helps farmers and their stakeholders to identify and manage various factors that affect the yields of hand-harvested crops. By recording and logging data points during harvesting, PICKLOGGER™ makes it possible for farmers to produce yield maps, giving […]
How your avocado orchard benefits from carbohydrate analyses
How your avocado orchard benefits from carbohydrate analyses – By Dr Elmi Lötze (Head of ITEST™CARBOHYDRATES and ITEST™LEAF) and Wilmé Brown (Plant Physiologist), Agri Technovation Carbohydrates as physiological indicator of plant status The use of carbohydrate analyses to study plant performance is an established practice in the research environment (Wolstenholm, 1987; Whiley et al., 1988; […]