Articles
An explorative study on the efficacy of micronutrient foliar applications in selected Leucospermum and Protea products
Article number
1463_5
Pages
29 – 36
Language
English
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies, including zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn), are common in cultivated Leucospermum and Protea cultivars, impacting plant health, growth and productivity.
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various commercial foliar micronutrient sprays on selected cultivars to maintain optimum plant nutrition during the vegetative growing season.
Treatments included two chelated amino acid formulations, and a conventional sulphate-based micronutrient fertilizer, but enriched with fulvic acid product, alongside an untreated control.
Micronutrient uptake of Zn and Mn in leaves as well as visual shoot health was assessed.
Trends indicated that the higher rates of amino acid-chelated treatments showed improved Zn uptake, whereas Mn levels appeared to be inconsistent across cultivars and treatments.
Cost analysis revealed that chelated amino acid treatments were significantly more expensive than sulphate treatments, without providing reliable and consistent improvement in nutrient uptake.
The study suggests that sulphate-based micronutrient fertilizers, when complemented with fulvic acid, performed comparably to current amino acid-chelated products, but with the additional benefit of being more cost-effective.
Further research is recommended to establish robust foliar nutrient norms for Leucospermum and Protea and evaluate the long-term effects of foliar micro-nutrient applications on growth vigour, plant health, and postharvest quality.
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various commercial foliar micronutrient sprays on selected cultivars to maintain optimum plant nutrition during the vegetative growing season.
Treatments included two chelated amino acid formulations, and a conventional sulphate-based micronutrient fertilizer, but enriched with fulvic acid product, alongside an untreated control.
Micronutrient uptake of Zn and Mn in leaves as well as visual shoot health was assessed.
Trends indicated that the higher rates of amino acid-chelated treatments showed improved Zn uptake, whereas Mn levels appeared to be inconsistent across cultivars and treatments.
Cost analysis revealed that chelated amino acid treatments were significantly more expensive than sulphate treatments, without providing reliable and consistent improvement in nutrient uptake.
The study suggests that sulphate-based micronutrient fertilizers, when complemented with fulvic acid, performed comparably to current amino acid-chelated products, but with the additional benefit of being more cost-effective.
Further research is recommended to establish robust foliar nutrient norms for Leucospermum and Protea and evaluate the long-term effects of foliar micro-nutrient applications on growth vigour, plant health, and postharvest quality.
Publication
Authors
E.-L. Louw, C. Bezuidenhout, E.W. Hoffman
Keywords
leaf norms, manganese, mineral analysis, Proteaceae, zinc
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