Foliar fertilisation for soft fruit
Optimum nutrient supply
The cultivation of bush berries such as raspberries, redcurrants and blueberries has increased significantly in recent years. However, the limited shelf life of the fruit poses a challenge. Shrub berries have specific requirements in terms of location, soil and nutrient availability. For example, currants are sensitive to chloride, while blueberries require a low pH value in the soil. The pH value influences the availability of nutrients: At low pH, major elements are often not readily available, whereas micronutrients are. At a high pH value, trace elements tend to be less readily available.
Foliar fertilisation has been a tried and tested method in fruit growing for decades to quickly help with deficiency symptoms of main, secondary and trace elements.
Support for flowering and fruit set
Secure earnings stability
A balanced diet of amino acids is crucial for fruit set and the quality of the flower buds. The use of Aminosol® before flowering improves fruit set and growth.
In addition, boron and zinc play an important role in improving fruit set.Lebosol®-Robustus SC (boron + calcium) and Lebosol®-Zinc 700 SC before flowering promote flower quality and size growth. Zinc increases the plant's resistance to radiation stress and reduces the risk of sunburn. Boron supports flower quality, fruit set and frost tolerance of the flowers, improves calcium uptake and contributes to increasing storage stability.
The combination of Lebosol®-Zinc 700 SC and Lebosol®-Robustus SC, 2 - 3 times at 0.5 - 1 l/ha and 2 l/ha, improves flower quality, fruit set and calcium transport. These fertilisers are also suitable for organic cultivation.
Improve fruit stability and shelf life of bush berries
Optimum fruit quality thanks to calcium and silicon
Low calcium levels in bush berries lead to poor fruit quality and reduced flesh firmness. Treatment with the chloride-free product Lebosol®-Calcium-Forte SC, which contains calcium formate as a particularly well-tolerated source of calcium, increases the calcium content in the fruit. This significantly improves the firmness and shelf life of the berries. In addition, Lebosol®-Calcium-Forte SC supplies the plants with manganese and zinc, which promotes the general health of the plants.
Lebosol®-Silicon provides another extra for better fruit stability. Although silicon is not categorised as an essential nutrient, it supports numerous processes in plants. These include regulating the water balance, strengthening stress tolerance and improving the storage and transportability of the fruit. Silicon is often present in the soil as silicate, but cannot always be sufficiently absorbed through the roots. As a foliar fertiliser, it must be present in the form of stabilised orthosilicic acid, as in Lebosol®-Silicon. This form also promotes the absorption of other essential nutrients such as potassium, calcium and phosphorus.
Combating iron chlorosis in bush berries
Effective solutions for iron deficiency
Shrub berries are susceptible to iron chlorosis, which is characterised by yellowing of the youngest leaves with dark veins. In addition to cultivation measures such as soil structure, water balance and pH value, the iron supply can also be improved via the leaves and soil. Early and regular foliar and soil fertilisation with Lebosol®-HeptaIron offers an effective solution here.
Lebosol®-HeptaIron is a particularly compatible foliar iron fertiliser that can also be used in organic cultivation. Iron is essential for chlorophyll formation, photosynthesis and the water balance of plants. The iron fertiliser solution complexed with heptagluconic acid contains 55 g/l iron. This fertiliser is ideal for foliar fertilisation to specifically remedy iron deficiency and promote the growth of shrub berries.
Recommended application: several applications with 3 - 7 l/ha Lebosol®-HeptaIron.
