6
NEW, low sodium fertilisers that have
been improving horticultural crop
production throughout Europe over
the past three years are now arriving in
Australia.
Specialist fertiliser manufacturer, Haifa,
has recently released three new, low
sodium fertilisers to the local market
offering high quality and some unique
benefits for growers.
Haifa specialist from Holland, Ronald
Valke, was in Australia earlier this year
talking with growers at the Protected
Cropping Australia conference in
Queensland and through various
production areas about the company’s
new products, which include Haifa
Cal™ Prime, Multi-K™ Reci and Haifa
VitaPhos-K™.
Ronald said low sodium and chloride
levels were critical to optimum crop
production and Haifa had become
a world leader in reduced sodium
Ronald Valke, Haifa specialist from Holland, pictured addressing the Protected Cropping
Australia conference in Queensland earlier this year, says the company’s new, reduced
sodium fertilisers allow a better solution and plant growth, resulting in improved yields.
New crop
boosting
fertilisers
launched
“Multi-K Reci is pivotal in reducing the
sodium level of the nutrient solution,
allowing it to be reused many times –
not only saving money on fertiliser, but
also helping to save water,’’Trevor said.
He said excellent solubility with
Haifa Cal Prime and Multi-K Reci also
meant they were highly suitable for
Nutrigation™ or foliar spray application
in crops.
Uniquely efficient
Haifa VitaPhos-K, containing
phosphorus in the form of soluble
polyphosphates rather than the
phosphate ion, is designed to keep
the phosphorus in the solution,
making it available to plants over time.
“It offers a uniquely efficient form
of phosphate that also provides a
cleaning action on irrigation lines,’’
Trevor said.
He said the new fertilisers
demonstrated Haifa was leading the
fight against negative salts in crop
production.
“The company’s products have long
been recognised for their quality,
ensuring they are easy to use and the
nutrients are available to plants.’’
fertilisers.
“European growers have been using
Cal Prime for three years now with
fantastic results,’’ Ronald said.
“The lower sodium leads to a better
solution and better plant growth, which
equals better yields.’’
Haifa Cal Prime, ideally suited for high
value glasshouse production and crops,
contains more nitrogen and calcium
than alternate calcium nitrate products
available in the local market.
“It offers the highest analysis and
quality calcium nitrate available in
Australia, while also having very low
ammonium and sodium levels,’’ said
Haifa Australia Managing Director
Trevor Dennis.
“Its high concentration means benefits
for growers, allowing applications to
be significantly reduced and savings
to be made in labour and energy, as
well as providing for less handling and
transport.’’
Multi-K Reci, which specifically suits
greenhouse production and high
value crops, is another low salt
product, offering a particularly pure
form of potassium nitrate with very
low sodium levels.
European growers have been using Haifa Cal Prime for three years
now with fantastic results. The lower sodium leads to a better
solution and better plant growth, which equals better yields.
Haifa SPECIALIST RONALDVALKE, HOLLAND
“
7
FROM SOUTH AFRICA...
Steyn Marais
Location: Ceres
Crops: Potato and onion
Cape Town
Ceres
10km
Click for further info
“SINCE our first potato planting in 2008, we saw yield
improvements.With further refinement in product
composition, we were able to custom fit the Multicote™
product to suit our unique production practises and
growing conditions.
For four consecutive years we experienced sustained crop
yield improvements compared with our conventional
fertiliser programs.
Potato and onion crops proved to be more disease
resistant in-field. Post-harvest, quality was also found to be
better compared with that from conventionally-fertilised
fields.
Band placement of the Multicote close to the tubers
at planting offers significant savings in cost and
management time.
There’s no more yellowing of plants due to nutrient
leaching from the root zone.
Multicote is a dynamic product that has proved its
adaptability to satisfy the challenges of a modern farming
enterprise.’’
