High Yield Outcomes: Weather or Not >>
When it comes to managing for high quality and big yields for tomato, bell peppers and other intensely managed fruit and vegetable crops, there are many factors beyond human control. Weather is the first thing that comes to mind; everything from heat or cold temperatures, water (or lack thereof), and even conditions that minimalize evapotranspiration can cripple opportunities at a successful season.
In tomatoes, for example, high-temperature stress during bud development can effectively kill the flowering portion of the plant from the inside out. Even once flowers are in bloom, extreme temperatures can lead to abnormalities and death. Light intensity, whether it’s clear and sunny or overcast with dark skies also play into bloom function, pollination and therefore fruit set. Conditions such as radiation, humidity, wind speed and soil moisture all factor into plant evapotranspiration (ET). When the weather favors ET, critical nutrients and water move to flowering and fruiting sites. Without ET, water/nutrient movement effectively stops. This can lead to small fruit, poor fruit development for later flower positions and blossom end rot.
Cell division for tomatoes lasts between 10-20 days following peak bloom. Cell division is the lever that controls fruit size potential. The secondary lever that controls total fruit size is cell enlargement, which takes place 15-45 days following peak bloom. Abiotic stresses during either one of these phases can impact the overall outcomes of yield and quality.
Overcoming Abiotic Stress Due to Weather
TIMAC AGRO USA specializes in the creation of technologies that can help plants meet their maximum potential for yield and quality. We would like to introduce you to our patented FERTILEADER® technology. FERTILEADER contains the SEACTIV® Complex, combining two precision plant extracts that work to improve nutrient utilization within the plant (IPA Complex) while overcoming abiotic stresses that can impact flowering and fruit set (Glycine Betaine).
Roots were dug 7 days following second application of 1.25 qt/ac of FERTILEADER® on Sept. 24 on Vanguard variety of bell pepper that received treatment protocol. Results showed increased root mass, length of lead roots and increased fibrous roots.
Impressive Results in the Field
Over the past three growing seasons, we have worked closely with a grower-collaborator in South Carolina on bell pepper field research. By timing applications of FERTILEADER closely before or during early bloom we can change how plants respond to stress and increase nutrient movement to the areas of highest demand (flower/fruit). Our strategy has been to deploy the technology in 14-day intervals twice more following the initial application in order to improve the physiological dynamics of 2nd and 3rd position set fruit. Through the FERTILEADER program during the spring 2020 season we improved marketable box count by 218 boxes/acre and shifted 10.2% more fruit into premium-sized categories (Jumbo/XL). The grower was pleased with this outcome, but we did expect to see a difference since we impacted multiple varieties in the premium-sized categories by shifting between 5.8% and 9.6% during the fall 2019 season in partially treated fields with a similar approach.
Weather or not, using technology to help during the most critical growth stages of the plant can make a big impact on yield and quality. Please contact us to find out more about our solutions and approach to solving real problems growers encounter in the field.
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Author:
Michael Pisciotta
Director of Agronomy, Southern US