Agronomics

Starter nutrition is a key component of any balanced nutrition program. Starters provide the emerging seedlings with essential nutrients which are accessible near the young roots just as the sugars and starches are being depleted from the germinated seed.

The application of foliar nutrition has been in use for many years in high value specialized crops. As growers are looking to maximize net returns and nutrient efficiencies, the application of foliar nutrition is making its way into many of the progressive growers’ crop nutrition programs.

ALPINE liquid fertilizers are complementary to the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship as it encourages using the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.

Making the most efficient use of your dollars spent on crop nutrition is a constant goal of all growers today. As crop nutrition prices increase, each grower tries to maintain the balance between obtaining higher crop yields and staying within an overall crop inputs budget to obtain the highest possible profit level from each field.

All plants, whether it be corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, cranberries, or canola, require nutrients for proper growth and development.  About 90-95% of plant dry matter is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and/or oxygen.  The remaining 5-10% is obtained from the soil and/or from fertilizer supplied by the grower.

All twenty one nutrients required by the plant, including macronutrients, micronutrients, and secondary nutrients, must be in balance in order for the plant to maintain its utmost health to defend against unfavourable environmental conditions.  A proper soil and tissue sampling program is key tool in managing plant nutrition.

Even though micronutrients are required in very small quantities, they are essential for healthy plant growth and profitable crop production.  Most of the secondary nutrients and micronutrients can be provided to plants in a chelated form with the exception of sulfur, boron, and molybdenum.