SPONSORED | Agrisilica Cucurbit Trial

Agrisilica® Granular Silicon Fertiliser. Cucurbit Trial Data.

Science has demonstrated the important role silicon plays in structural, biochemical and physiologic processes within plants, enabling plants to perform better under a wide range of environmental conditions. The many benefits of applying Silicon to crops are now well documented by scientists and can be summarized as follows   increased rates of photosynthesis

• reduced crop lodging
•  reducing the impact of various abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, high or low pH, heavy metal toxicity and frost
• enhances pest and disease resistance
• increases essential nutrient uptake

Over 600 trials proving the benefits of its Agrisilica® Granular Silicon Fertiliser.  From this research it is clear that Silicon benefits soil and plant health resulting in improved crop production, particularly in soils containing low levels of Plant Available Silicon.

It is also evident that amount of Plant Available Silicon contained in a fertilizer determines its value as a source of silicon.  A primary feature of Agrisilica® Granular Silicon fertiliser is that it contains high levels of Plant Available Silicon, which crops can easily absorb.  Note that some fertilisers sold, may contain Silicon but it is not present as Plant Available Silicon and is therefore of little value.

Independent trials conducted in Cucurbit crops has confirmed that Agrisilica® can significantly increase crop production and quality. Examples of results are as follows ;

Trial 1

Crop : Field grown Cucumber (Variety Gremlin)

Trial Manager : Applied Horticultural Research Sydney Australia
Trial Location : Cowra NSW Australia
Soil Type : Sandy Loam, pH 6.2, Plant Available Silicon 48 mg/kg

Treatments :
1. Standard Fertiliser Practice (SFP),
2. Agrislica® 400 kg/ha banded preplant plus SFP,
3. Agrisilica 800 kg/ha banded preplant plus SFP. Results : Agrislica® applied at 400 kg/ha and 800 kg/ha increased yield by 15.7 t/ha (34%)  and 16.4 t/ha (35.5%) respectively (graph1). Additional benefits of Agrisilica® was reduced incidence of powdery mildew and increased cucumber shelf life (measured as incidence of shrivelled fruit after 18 days storage).

From this trial the recommended Agrisilica® application rate in field grown cucumbers is 400 kg/ha applied preplant.

Trial 2

Crop : Field grown Cantaloupe Melon (Variety Timeless)
Trial Manager : Federal University Pernambuco, Brazil
Trial Location : Mossoro, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Soil Type : Sand, pH 6.9, Plant Available Silicon 0.8 mg/kg

Treatments :

1. Standard Fertiliser Practice (SFP),
2. Agrislica® 200 kg/ha banded preplant plus SFP,
3. Agrisilica 400 kg/ha banded preplant plus SFP.
4. Agrisilica 600 kg/ha banded preplant plus SFP.

Results : Agrislica® applied at all rates significantly increased yield by up to 7.0 t/ha (31.8%)  (Graph2).  Average weight of fruit increased by up to 0.24 kg (16.4%) (Graph 3) Additional benefits of Agrisilica® included increased uptake of all nutrients with 400kg/ha being the optimum rate.

   

From this trial the recommended Agrisilica® application rate in field grown melons is 200-400 kg/ha applied preplant.

Trial 3

Crop : Field grown Zucchini (Variety Mellineo)
Trial Manager : Agrisoil Technology Consultant Morocco
Trial Location : Agadir, Morocco
Soil Type : Sandy Loam, pH 8.3, Plant Available Silicon 23.2 mg/kg

Treatments :

1. Standard Fertiliser Practice (SFP),
2. Agrislica® 300 kg/ha broadcast and incorporated preplant plus SFP,
3. Agrisilica® 600 kg/ha broadcast and incorporated preplant plus SFP.

Results : Agrislica® applied at both application rates increased yield by up to 13.7 t/ha (45.7%)  (Graph 4).  The incidence of powdery mildew decreased from 22% of leaf infected to 11% with increasing application rates of Agrisilica® (Graph 5)

  

From this trial the recommended Agrisilica® application rate in field grown zuchinni is 600 kg/ha applied preplant.

To determine the most suitable application rate for your crop, a consultation with Agripower Agronomist Vic Millward (0438 954 500) or your local Agrisilica® is recommended.