Soil fertility is the capacity of the soil to maintain the supply of nutrients necessary for the correct growth of plants and optimisation of crop yield. To preserve soil fertility, erosion must be avoided and crop rotation and diversification, maintenance of organic matter and high biological activity must be ensured.
Soil preparation for cultivation is a key factor, among others, in ensuring soil fertility and achieving the expected yields of our crops. That is why, before starting the sowing process, we must pay attention to the characteristics of the soil and its conditions, in order to achieve its optimum state before planting our crop.
Besides, the levels of availability of macro and micronutrients in the soil influence the production and quality of horticultural products. The influence that each nutrient can have on quality depends very much on the individual crop and the stage it is at. The availability of nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphorus plays an important role at the beginning of the crop.
Soil preparation for cultivation
Intensive agriculture and the use of crop protection products, together with climate change, cause the agricultural soil to lose organic matter over time, so that the agronomic capacity decreases and the risk of desertification increases.
Preparing the soil for cultivation is a fundamental agricultural task in order to achieve the expected yields of our crops. One of the first tasks to be carried out is to prepare the soil for fallow, a resting stage that will help the soil to recover moisture and organic matter.
Likewise, with the use of soil conditioners it is possible to optimise the conditions of the soil for cultivation, both in the short and long term, correcting and ensuring the quality of the agricultural soils as they increase the organic matter content.
Crop initiation
Throughout the development cycle of horticultural crops, plants have different requirements for light, water, nutrients, type of care, etc. As we have already mentioned, for their correct development and growth, it is necessary that the agricultural soil contains the right substrates and suitable characteristics.
Plants require a balanced supply of nutrients appropriate to their growth phase. Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron or copper are essential for crops in adequate amounts. Deficiencies of these nutrients can have severe consequences on their growth, thus impairing crop production and yields.
To better control plant growth and ensure that plants have the amount of food they need, it is important to know the symptoms of essential nutrient deficiencies.
Which are essential nutrients?
Among the essential nutrients for plants, it is important to distinguish:
- Macronutrients: elements absorbed by plants in large quantities, such as nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium.
- Micronutrients: elements needed only in small quantities (an excess can be harmful), such as iron or copper.
On this occasion, we will focus on two of the main essential macronutrients.
MACRONUTRIENTS
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is essential at the start of cultivation. It plays an active role in plant metabolism and has a positive influence on plant growth, as it is part of the enzymes. It promotes the development of leaf mass. As a result, the leaves of the plants are larger and capture more light, thus increasing photosynthetic rates. At the beginning of the crop, the nutritional requirements are low, but if nitrogen deficiency occurs, the effects on growth can be irreversible.
Nitrogen-deficient plants show stunted growth and yellow discolouration of the leaves (chlorosis).
Fervalle’s product Aminovalle is an example of a product recommended for the start of cultivation, as it provides the nitrogen necessary for optimal crop development.
Aminovalle is a formulation containing amino acids from enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins. Specifically, it contains 12% free amino acids.
The main advantages and benefits of this product are as follows:
– It favours and boosts vegetative growth and development.
– It helps to overcome stressful situations
– It meets specific nutritional needs
Brotovalle N is another Fervalle’s product recommended for the beginning of cultivation, as it is a formulation with a high content of microelements that induce the synthesis of essential molecules in the plant.
It is a compound fertiliser, rich in organic elements, copper, manganese and zinc. In addition, its formulation contains nitrogen, which boosts the growth and production of the crop.
Among the advantages and benefits, Brotovalle N:
– It induces the synthesis of essential molecules in the plant.
– It increases crop quality and production.
– It reduces the effects of unfavourable situations during the life cycle of the plant.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a key nutrient in the transfer of energy throughout the plant. In young plants, the presence of phosphorus is indispensable for proper growth. This element helps to build cell walls, DNA, proteins and enzymes. It is mainly concentrated in the roots and in the developing parts of the plant (growing tips and vascular tissue).
Phosphorus deficiencies can result in stunted growth and a darkening of the leaves to purple tones and, later on, the fruits will appear deformed and with empty grains.
Fervalle’s product Fosmax is an example of a product recommended for the start of cultivation in terms of phosphorus supply.
Fosmax has a formulation based on the presence of the polymeric complex (FPC) together with low molecular weight complexed phosphorus, potassium, calcium and micronutrients.
The main advantages and benefits of this product are as follows:
– It allows rapid assimilation of nutrients.
– It provides greater nutritional bioavailability compared to traditional fertilisers.
– It favours the development of a powerful root system.
– It improves flowering in the plant.
– It improves fruit set and fruit ripening.
Now that we know the importance of having a fertile and nutrient-rich soil, all that remains is to select the type of products best suited to our type of crop and its nutritional requirements!
