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Foliar fertilisers enhance fibre
quality
THE application of foliar fertilisers at flowering helps to
maximise yields and improve cotton fibre quality, especially
in soils with a potassium deficiency.
Jamie McMaster, director of liquid fertiliser specialist SLTEC,
says that foliar fertilisers are ideal for the strategic application of
nutrients.
“It’s a way of supplementing feeding to achieve optimum
yields. You’re topping up the plant to prevent over stressing.
“The root system will always be the main nutritional source
but there are times when it can’t meet all the plant’s needs.
“Variability in soils such as pH can prevent the uptake of
important trace elements and there can be times during the
growth cycle where the root system just can’t keep up with
demand.
“Foliars are very quickly absorbed and can be the difference
between maximising your potential or not,” Jamie explained.
SLTEC’s regional sales manager and agronomist in New South
Wales and Queensland, Phil Peterson, says the physiology of the
cotton plant makes foliar applications of potassium a particularly
important consideration.
“Potassium is a key mineral required for fibre quality. But as
the plant passes peak flowering, senescence of the root system
sets in, reducing its ability to take up potassium.
“You can have adequate levels of potassium in the soil but the
plant may still not be getting enough to achieve optimum yield
and fibre quality, both of which have a bearing on returns.
“A pre-plant liquid pop-up would typically provide a good
source of N, P and K but there could still be a deficiency in K at
the very time it’s needed most.
“That’s where a foliar application of potassium it can be very
beneficial especially if applied with phosphorus as well.
“It’s about maximising potential by ensuring the plant has all
the nutrition it requires at the time of critical need,” Phil said.
“The foliar application of potassium is also very important in
waterlogging situations where you might get rain after irrigation,
for example.
“I’ve heard a number of agronomists in the cotton industry
say that the foliar application of potassium really assists in plant
recovery and reducing stress after waterlogging.
“In these situations plants really need a lot of potassium to
hold onto bolls and fill them.”
Phil said that while some soils where cotton is grown have
adequate levels of potassium, there are many places where the
mineral is naturally deficient. “Foliar applications are even more
important in these situations.
“The foliar application of zinc, either straight or in
combination, is also very beneficial in cotton,” Phil added.
Jamie said SLTEC strongly supported balanced agronomy.
“Liquid fertilisers provide growers with many more choices than
granular. We already have a huge range of options available,
and we can readily provide custom blends to meet specific crop
demands.
“We plan to make our unique Balanced Agronomy software
available to agronomists, and then work with them to provide
their clients’ crops with the best nutritional package. This is how
you achieve maximum yields and the best fibre quality, and of
course, the best bottom-line.
“We’re very serious about foliar nutrition and foliar research.
We’re planning several replicated trials of foliar nutrients this
season,” he said.
For further information on SLTEC’s foliar fertilisers call Jamie McMaster on
0407 317 288 or email enquiries@sltec.com.au
Jamie McMaster.
58 — The Australian Cottongrower December 2012–January 2013