Date: March, 2020
Goal: Demonstrate the effect of Saeta in strawberries for nutrient uptake, plant health and fruit quality.
Location: Salinas, California, USA
Farms: Rocha Jr. Berry Farms and Gema Berry Farms
Crop: Strawberries
Summary
Calcium is an essential plant nutrient, serving as a key input for proper plant cell elongation, and the strengthening of cell walls. Having sufficiently available and effective levels of calcium in plants improves their ability to defend against abiotic stress like heat, by reducing evapotranspiration and regulating stomata aperture. Saeta is a systemic phosphonate mineral Calcium complex. Phosphonates move rapidly through plant tissues, in both existing and newer plantings, providing the necessary support to stimulate plant health and improved nutrient availability. By including Saeta in a strawberry crop program, growers should benefit from improved nutrient uptake, improved plant health, and improved fruit quality.
Method of Analysis
Prior to the planned applications of Saeta, plant tissue samples were collected from randomly selected plants in 3 different strawberry fields. The tissue samples were delivered to A&L Western Agricultural Laboratories to conduct tissue nutrient assessments. Next, applications of Saeta were performed on the same fields, at a rate of 1 LBS per acre. Foliage samples were then collected 3 days after application, to evaluate nutrient availability in the plants.
Results
Rocha Jr. Berry Farms
Gema Berry Farms
Grower Testimony
Growers that have used Saeta have noticed a speedy and dramatic change in their crop stature. Treated plants have a lusher green pigment, extended plant vigor, over all better yield and quality of their production.
Conclusion and recommendations
Tissue analysis pre and post application of Saeta highlight the efficacy of the product. The results of tissue analysis performed post application of Saeta demonstrate a +20-30% nutrient uptake improvement across primary, secondary and tertiary nutrients, including increase of calcium uptake by 30%.
- At early plant establishment, begin applications of Saeta on monthly drip applications for root development.
- The recommended rate for the first 2 applications in early establishment is 0.5lb/ac
- The following monthly recommended applications are a rate of 1.0lb/ac
Andres Tapia, ExcelAg Technical Sales Representative
Email: atapia@grow7usa.com
