Hortus - Complete Plant Nutrition

Hortus business development director Austin Smith said viticulturists were switching to DE for its proven ability to improve plant health, yield, fruit quality, brix (sugar) levels and colour, and trap moisture and nutrients in vine root zones, as well as improve soil. "We are currently working with compost company Australian Vermiculture to supply a nutrient mix to vineyards in the Clare Valley, and are in discussion with major wine producers across the southern states and the Granite Belt to include Agri-Power in their soil and plant nutrition programs," he said. Brett Irvine, contract agronomist for major tablegrape grower The Costa Group, is also impressed with the results. For the past two years, his company, Carbon Chasers, has been experimenting with the mineral power pack on tablegrapes, from the saltiest soils in the Murray Darling Basin to Mundubbera, Qld. In all vineyards trails, it has recorded increased water holding capacity and better uptake of calcium and phosphorous in the vines. "We also noticed consistently higher phosphorous levels throughout the season, resulting in bigger V-shaped bunches," Brett said. "And they were hardier – there was no fruit split." He also recorded increased size of root zones and higher soil carbon levels at all sites. Instead of using 300 kilograms of single superphosphate (SSP) per hectare, the vineyards now use a mix of 75kg/ha of SSP and 200kg/ha of DE. Please read Full article in PDF below