Agroharta Fertilizer Sdn. Bhd.

Dragon Fruit Grower’s Tips

derrick@brandstoryagency.com.my — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:14:50 +0000

Dragon Fruit Grower’s Tips

1. Can dragon fruit plant absorb foliar fertilizer?

Stomatal densities differed greatly between the species and plant organs. On dragon fruit, around 10-20 stomata per mm2 were found on the cladodes (stem) and 1-2 stomata per mm2 were found fruits.
Stomata behave in a similar way with other crops, with a rhythm of stomatal closing and opening almost coordinated between their organs.
Dragon fruits open their stomata at night and close them during the day as an adaptation mechanism to environmental conditions. Dragon fruit plants absorbs nutrients through the stomata. It’s open early in the morning before sunrise (till 9-10am) or after 5-6pm (onwards) by sunset.
Foliar feeding is a way of feeding plants by applying liquid mixed fertilizer directly to their leaves or stems. Plants are able to absorb essential elements through their leaves (through their stomata).
Solutions:
NISOL series
Fully soluble and suitable for foliar fertilizer

2. How to increase fruit weight and size for dragon fruits?

Foliar and soluble fertilizer sprayings are very important to induce heavy flowering of dragon fruit for increased fruit production, total yield and improve the fruit quality with larger fruit size.
High K soluble fertilizer such as potassium nitrate is widely use as foliar spray for flowers induction. Meanwhile, potassium nitrate is effective in increasing the total fruit production and potassium nitrate spray is able to improve the total yield and average fruit weight.
Iodine (I) should be considered as a plant nutrient. Many iodinated proteins have been identified that take part in important biological processes in plants. Similar to deficiency of other plant nutrient, a deficiency in iodine is predicted to cause yield losses.
Iodine deficiency will be visible as sub-optimal root or leaf development, later flowering, lower fruit growth and lower resilience to stress, resulting in lower yields compared to a crop which has been supplied with sufficient iodine in the nutrient solution.

3. How to manage water requirement for dragon fruits?

Although dragon fruit is heat loving crop, it can be damaged by long periods of extreme sun and heat, resulting in sunburn and sunscald. In general, dragon fruit is tolerant of drought and poor soil.
In high radiation areas, extremely high temperatures limit flowering and fruit set. High radiation levels cause the plants to become bleached in appearance (caused by the destruction of chlorophyll in the stems), growth will also be retarded, and plants may eventually die.
Dragon fruits are members of the cactus family, it is logical to assume that they can withstand long periods of drought. Reduce watering during the raining season but do provide irrigation once temperatures have risen.
However, Dragon fruits require significantly more water than other cacti members. There is a fine line here, however, as too much water will result in bacterial and fungal diseases and lack of soil moisture reduces blossoming, thus fruiting.
are largely used to reduce the harmful effects of abiotic stress either on underwatering or overwatering issues. The chemical composition of these seaweeds is mainly fatty acids, phytohormones, vitamins, mineral nutrients, and polysaccharides.
Solution:
Almino
Contains extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweeds, it has been shown to contain phytohormones—inorganic and organic components that act against the harshness of drought stress and enhance crop production and yield.Contains Amino Acid, it can play different roles in plants, such as stress-reducing agents, shortcut for nutrient source and hormone precursors.

4. Will humic acid improve the nutrient uptake in my dragon fruit plantation?

By supplying the soil with humic acid, it helps to bind cations (positively charged elements such as Mg, Ca, Fe and other “trace minerals”). By chelating the ions, humic acid facilitates the uptake of the ions, preventing precipitation (leaching through the soil). Humic acid also detoxify the soil of heavy metals. Research has shown that heavy metals can be “locked up” with the addition of humic acid.
Humic acid increases nutrient uptake, drought tolerance, and improve soil straucture. It increases the microbial activity in the soil, making it an excellent root stimulator. Humic acid increases the availability of nutrients and in those already existing in your soil. It will help to aerate the soil.
Solution:
Humino: contains Humic acid and Amino acid, can be used by direct application or premixed with other granular fertilizer such as compound fertilizer.

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Soursop Grower’s Tips

derrick@brandstoryagency.com.my — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:13:57 +0000

Soursop Grower's Tips

1.Will higher productivity of soursop during current season require more fertilizer for next season?

When the plants are producing fruit, the amount of fertilizers required should also be based on the nutrients removed in the harvested fruits. In fact the nutrients removed in the fruit are an excellent guide to establish a fertilization programme for any fruit tree such as soursop. The quantity of each nutrient removed by the fruit on average of each 1mt of harvested soursop fruits are as following:
- 2.0 to 2.7kg Nitrogen
- 0.4 to 0.5kg Phosphorus (0.9 to 1.1kg P2O5)
- 2.0 to 3.5kg Potassium (2.4 to 4.2kg K2O)
- 0.2 to 0.9kg Calcium (0.3-1.3kg CaO)
- 0.1 to 0.2kg Magnesium (0.2-0.3kg MgO)
Balance fertilization is important to make sure soursop plant receive sufficient nutrients within the optimum level. N and K are the nutrients in greatest demand by soursop, the amounts should increase proportionally with the age of the plant and its level of production. However, care should be taken avoid excess N because this causes the plants to grow too quickly and produce less fruit.
Solution:
- Adequate fertilization for different growing stage is a basic condition for getting excellent result.
  - At planting: good seedling growth will result in a productive adult plant producing good quality fruit. The fertilizer NIFOSK GREEN 17-17-17 shall be applied which provide sufficient nutrition for the plant setting up.
  - During growth: After planting the seedlings, the fertilizer NIFOSK GREEN 17-17-17 and NIFOSK S BLUE 12-12-17+2MgO+8S+B+ZN+TE should be applied during the next three years (based on the actual growth on site). Fertilizer should be applied around the plant but only lightly incorporated into the soil to avoid damaging the developing root system whilst putting the fertilizer near them. In a dry area, the fertilization with higher P fertilizer should be used at the beginning of the rainy season.
  - During production: Fertilizer with high K such as NIFOSK S 15-5-20+2MgO+25S+TE is in greatest demand by soursop during production stage, the amounts should increase proportionally with the age and size of the plant and its level of production. On sandy soils and others where there is a risk of N and K being lost by leaching, N and K fertilizers should be applied more frequent during the growing season.

2.Are trace elements (TE) important to soursop plants?

In general, soursop is sensitive to trace elements, especially Zn, B and Iron deficiency.
Zinc (Zn): Within the plant, Zn functions as an activator of enzymes and is involved in the producing the growth hormones. A zinc deficiency can result in poor plant growth and development. The Initial symptoms include interveinal chlorosis on young leaves, which can be similar to those of iron deficiency. In later stages of zinc deficiency, newly emerged leaves will likely to be narrow and remain small. Symptoms that might occur as the severity level increases are shortening of the internodes, necrotic spots, and bronzing of the leaves.
Boron (B): Like Ca, B is immobile in phloem and for this reason the first symptoms of its deficiency occur in the young leaves. During flowering and the fruiting stage, maintaining adequate amounts of plant-available B and Ca reduces the possibility of internal darkening of the pulp, which is common in soursop.
Iron (Fe): Like Ca and B, the redistribution of Fe in the plant is practically zero. Thus the initial symptoms of Fe deficiency occur in the young leaves and are characterized by partial chlorosis with yellowish-green coloration of the lamina, which with time becomes totally yellow except in the region around the veins.
Solution:
- ; an EDTA micronutrient water soluble fertilizer designed for irrigation and foliar application.
- Not all trace elements are available to the plant. A high pH level could result in the trace elements precipitating. The same applies when the pH level is low. When this happens, the micro element is no longer available to the plant.
- In order to prevent precipitation of trace elements, chelates EDTA has been used in TRACEION 5Fe/2.5Zn/2.5Mn/0.5Cu/1B/3Mgo/0.05Mo.
- What are chelates? Chelates are organic molecules that have the possibility to keep many elements available in the fertilizer solution. Thanks to this claw named the chelate, the transport of nutrients towards the roots is ensured.

3.How to prevent Anthracnose to reduce damage during post harvest?

Disease management is one of the major tasks in soursop planting. Controlling these are essential for quality fruits and higher crop yields.
The common disease found in soursop are mainly root rot and anthracnose. Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum species that is detrimental to numerous fruit, including soursop.
The rapid softening during postharvest storage is one of the most critical problems that avoid the commercialization of this fruit. Moreover, other factors have also reduced fruit quality such as irregular production, and pathogen attack. In this regard, fruits are attacked by the fungi Colletotrichum spp., which produce a disease called anthracnose.
Solution:
- Other than the use of fungicides, one alternative to this problem is the biological control using FOSFIKA, which has been applied successfully against this pathogen. The plants have generated defence mechanisms that allow them to tolerate the damages caused by pathogens.
- FOSFIKA is able to activate the pathogen-induced signals that trigger defence strategies specific to plant immunity. One of these mechanisms is the induction of systemic defence such as phytoalexins and pathogen-related (PR) proteins to block the pathogen directly. These molecules send systemic alarm signals to the non-infected neighbouring cells and induce defensive response mechanisms including cell well modification via deposition of polysaccharides.

4. How to increase soursop fruit weight and size?

It is essential to improve the size and quality of fruits. Various study proved about positive effect of Potassium Nitrate on fruit yield and quality of plum.
Potassium nitrate (KNO₃) is a soluble source of two major essential plant nutrients. It’s commonly used as a fertilizer for high-value crops that benefit from nitrate (NO₃-) nutrition and a source of potassium (K+) free of chloride (Cl⁻).
Growers value fertilizing with KNO₃ especially in conditions where a highly soluble, chloride-free nutrient source is needed. Potassium nitrate contains a relatively high proportion of K, with an N to K ratio of approximately one to three.
Solution:

Applications of KM SANGRALINE PN 13-0-46+IODINE can be done during fruiting stage. A diluted solution also can be used as foliar application on plant foliage to stimulate physiological processes or to overcome nutrient deficiencies.
- Foliar application of K during fruit development advantages soursop plants, since this growth stage often coincides with high K demands during the time of declining root activity and nutrient uptake.

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Leafy Vegetables

derrick@brandstoryagency.com.my — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:09:44 +0000

Leafy Vegetables Grower's Tips

How to reduce the stress of heat and rain for leafy vegetables?
Climate change has become a major threat and consequently created large problem for the leafy vegetable growers. Water limitation and extreme weather (hot sun and frequent rain) is a severe risk that reduce productivity.
Various stress such as under watering, extreme heat and drought stress damage many cellular constituents such as carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins, ultimately retarding plant growth, respiration, and photosynthesis.
Various natural products or biostimulants that should increase plant resilience to abiotic stress has been widely explored by leafy vegetable growers. Of all sources of biostimulants, those manufactured from inter-tidal seaweeds are perhaps the best studied with various modes of action being proposed.
Particularly, inter-tidal seaweeds are frequently exposed to unfavorable conditions including extreme variations in temperature, salinity, and light produce stress-related compounds that are essential for their survival in these environments. As such, selected seaweed resources are important sources of plant biostimulants and are widely used to promote agricultural productivity.
A selected inter-tidal seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum has been demonstrated to improve plant growth, mitigate some abiotic and biotic stresses while also improving plant defences by the regulation of molecular, physiological, and biochemical processes.
*MODIFY A NEW DIAGRAM AS THIS
Solution:
- ALMINO; contains selected seaweed extracts from Ascophyllum nodosum aimed to fighting a variety of environmental stresses that limit plants growth and productivity.
- For leafy vegetable growing, both physical and physiological stress either from hot weather, wet season, and drought will negatively impact plant physiology and thereby crop productivity.
- Several studies of ALMINO clearly demonstrated that the application of ALMINO alleviated plant stress. The bioactive compounds present in ALMINO when applied to stressed plants have reduced the negative effects of stress by regulating a series of sequential molecular, cellular, and physiological responses including the modulation of several genes, resulting in an an improved antioxidant system and enhanced gaseous exchange through stomatal regulation.
- ALMINO also showed significant improvement on the plants that affected by plant diseases. Such plant diseases are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Plants have evolved several defence mechanisms in order to fight this pathogen infection. Two types of disease resistance mechanisms in plants have been reported: systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced systemic resistance (ISR). ALMINO have also been reported for their ability to induce SAR and ISR against various plant pathogens.

How to differentiate Iron and Magnesium deficiency on leafy vegetables?
How to spot an iron deficiency in plants; If young immature leaves are turning pale, yellowing between the leaf veins there might be a lack of iron in the soil. This can happen when plants need more iron than the soil has to offer. As iron deficiency continues the leaf colors will fade until completely yellowing.
The symptoms of iron deficiency can look similar to other deficiencies, especially magnesium. In the case of magnesium, symptoms are also uniform interveinal chlorosis, however lower/mature leaves are affected not immature leaves. This is because magnesium is phloem mobile.
Iron is important for allowing plants to harness the energy of the sun (photosynthesis). Iron can be unavailable to plant roots in high pH or alkaline conditions. Unlike other macronutrients, iron is relatively phloem immobile. This means that once iron is taken up by the plant and deposited in leaves, it can no longer be moved around within the plant. Because of this, if iron becomes unavailable, the new leaves will first exhibit the symptoms.
Solution:
- First verify that there is sufficient iron in your fertilizer program and correct the soil and water pH.
- Use Iron supply (and other trace elements) in chelated form which keeps the iron stable (reduces oxidation/precipitation) at higher pH. The most commonly used chelating agents are EDTA and DTPA.
- For non-EDTA iron, it becomes low available when pH close to above s6.5. For EDTA at pH > 6.5-7.0 about half the iron is still available and by pH 7.0-7.5 very little iron is available.
- TRACEION 5Fe/2.5Zn/2.5Mn/0.5Cu/1B/3Mgo/0.05Mo; a micronutrient water soluble fertilizer designed for irrigation and foliar application. Among the benefits are following:
  - Highly concentrated with emphasis on iron as preventive and curative treatment.
  - Chelated for better availability.
  - Free flowing and fully soluble.
  - High quality and safe to be used.

There is no fruit on leafy vegetable, do I still need to apply Calcium?
Calcium is essential for proper leafy vegetable development. Plants absorb calcium both through their roots from nutrient solutions and through leaves and shoots during foliar applications.
Calcium serves several important purposes within leafy vegetables. Strong cell walls require calcium to be incorporated in their structure, with adequate supplies leading to well-formed and healthy leaves. Several biological processes also employ calcium as a signaling molecule, keeping plant responding to changing environments.
In leafy vegetables, calcium deficiency often manifests as tip burn on developing leaves, soft leaf, and short shelf life. Especially for tip burn, it gives leaf margins a burned or crinkled appearance and will affect their appearance. The damage continues to affect new leaves and can go on to become necrotic.
Identifying the cause of calcium deficiency in leafy vegetables can be a tricky topic, as it is not always caused by a lack of applied calcium fertilizer. Since water carries calcium through the plant as transpiration occurs, calcium movement is dependent solely on transpiration rates. It will not matter how much calcium you supply to the root zone of your crop if you are growing in a humid and low-transpiration environment. Conversely, overly dry conditions causing plants to close their stomates and cease transpiration may also lead to calcium deficiency.
Solution:
- To manage calcium deficiency, first relies on identifying the cause. Step one is looking at the fertilizer used. Is there sufficient calcium supply? Next, look at the environmental conditions, such as appropriate watering, planting density, ventilation/airflow is essential. Lastly consider complement Calcium with various mode such as soil application and foliar application.
  - CALBOR: Foliar application + fast soluble & available = supply calcium to whole part of plant, especially young and new leaves.
  - NICALBOR: Soil application + fast soluble & available = supply calcium to whole plant to supply required calcium and strengthen the plant.

4. Which form of Nitrogen is the best leafy vegetables? Is NO3-N or NH4-N?

Nitrogen (N) availability is a major factor determining plant growth and productivity. Plants acquire inorganic N from the soil, mainly in the form of nitrate NO3-N and ammonium NH4-N.
Nitrates easily dissolve in water and soil, therefore rainfall will wash nitrates downward into soil profile where they may be lost through leaching and is the major cause of nitrogen loss from coarse-textured sandy soils.
Although water-soluble, ammonium attaches to clay and organic matter particles, thus preventing it from leaching away. Then soil microorganisms convert the ammonium to nitrate, which is the main form taken up by plants.
Nitrate Nitrogen is most preferred by plants but it can be leached and lost to the atmosphere through gaseous loss. Similarly to nitrates, ammonium can be lost from the soil via gaseous loss; however it is less prone to leaching because of its positive charge. This enables it to be held in the soil.
Solution:
- Mixtures of nitrate and ammonium are beneficial in terms of plant growth, as compared to nitrate or ammonium alone, and therefore synergistic responses to both N sources are predicted at different steps. Therefore, the ratio between these two forms of nitrogen is highly significance, and affects both the plants and the soil.
- NIFOSK Series; all NIFOSK series of compound fertilizers are welly created with right combination of Nitrogen type of nitrate and ammonium.

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Oil Palm Grower’s Tips

derrick@brandstoryagency.com.my — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:05:29 +0000

Oil Palm Grower's Tips

1.What is the common nutrient requirement for a fruiting oil palm?

According to research, the nutrients required by each fruiting oil palm are estimated around 0.8-1.1kg of Nitrogen, 0.3-0.4kg of Phosphorus (oxide,P2O5), and 1.5-2.0kg of Potassium (oxide, K2O)per year.
The golden ratio of NPK is approximately 2 : 1 : 4 (between 2-3 : 1 : 4-5).

The are few factors to consider when selecting a suitable fertilizer for fruiting oil palms, such as:
- Initial level of nutrient for leaf and soil.
- Optimum nutrient ratio.
- Site potential yield.
Solution:
- The convenient approach is to use fertilizer with proper formulated nutrient which match the fruiting oil palm requirement and ratio.

Produced from factory which is ISO-certified, automated production, and has a high standard of control.
- The product is laboratory analyzed and all granules have a definite fertilizer composition analysis as declared.
- Innovative fertilizers which include SULKA, a natural ingredient sourced from the UK and certified organic.
- Including sulphur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and boron, and features complete dissolution and slow release.
- Double-packed design to prevent leakage, convenient to use and easy to store.
- The particle size is uniform and stable, easy to apply and spread evenly, saving manpower and time.

2. Is Sulphur an essential nutrient to oil palm?

Sulphur is an essential constituent of proteins; it is required for the synthesis of the amino acids which make up proteins. Sulphur is involved in oil synthesis and increases the oil production.
Early research on oil palm nutrition in Malaysia did not reveal the need for Sulphur supply due to the widely use of ammonium sulphate as N source which provides Sulphur nutrition to palms also. However, recent findings indicate Sulphur input has diminished from continuous Sulphur removal due to crop harvesting and leaching.
Sulphur is important for the formation of oil in oil palm. Deficiency in Sulphur leads to a decrease in oil formation, affecting oil yield.
Solution:
- SULKA is a soluble source of sulphur, potassium, magnesium and calcium, all in sulphate form and with low chloride content.
- It is recommended to apply SULKA during the wet season to allow for the gradual release of nutrients and a continuous supply of S, K, Mg and Ca during a longer period of crop growth, increasing their assimilation potential.
- SULKAPALM 10-5-20+2MgO+3CaO+8SO3+TE and SULKAMAX 10-5-23+2MgO+3CaO+8SO3+TE contain SULKA that provide both convenience and benefits from SULKA.

3. Is organic matter important for oil palm?

Organic matter is important for maintaining soil health for all crops including oil palm. It helps to increase nutrient and water use efficiency, so organic matter levels should be improved to a satisfactory level.
Organic matter will derive from cleared vegetation in new plantings, from the return of fronds, male inflorescences, old roots in existing stands and from felled palms in replants. Organic matter levels can be improved by adding waste biomass, such as empty fruit bunches, mill effluent and decanter solids, palm shell and fibre.
Long term deterioration in soil structure and fertility may result from compaction, particularly with mechanisation and from changes in soil pH (especially in acid sulphate soils).
Economic sustainability requires the use of fertilisers on most soils. Ideally, fertilizer contains certain organic matter can be introduced to enhance soil health and the efficiency of use fertilizer.

Solution:
- BIONOKA Series of compacted compound fertilizers stimulate nutrient efficiency by including additional 30% organic matter and amino acid.
- By using BIONOKA, it helps to increase the nutrient retention inside soil with higher cation exchange capacity (CEC). It also improves soil structure by reducing crusting, encourages better root development, prevents compaction, and improves water holding capacity.

4.Is soluble Phosphorus important to oil palm?

Phosphorus is important for root development and flower initiation, increse fruit number, and bunch weight/yield.
The chemistry of P in soil is complex and is influenced by many factors, making the it difficult to manage.
Common Causes of P Deficiency are lost of top soil, insufficient phosphate fertilizer applied (especially water-soluble phosphate), and P fixation in low pH and acidicf soil.
Phosphorus inside fertilizer can be in the form of water-soluble form or non-water-soluble form (citrate-soluble). The non-water-soluble form of Phosphorus are strongly bound by soil minerals, therefore become less available to the plant’s uptake.
Because P isn’t mobile in soils, selecting phosphate fertilizers is a major management decision in oil palm production, a selection of fertilizer with higher percentage of water-soluble Phosphorus is preferable to improve the fertilizer use efficiency.
Solution:
- NIFOSK Series; contain 60-80% of water-soluble Phosphorus, among the highest compared to other compound fertilizers that available in market.
- AGRO Series; contain minimum 40% of water-soluble Phosphorus.

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Watermelon Grower’s Tips

derrick@brandstoryagency.com.my — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 16:52:56 +0000

Watermelon Grower's Tips

1. Can I grow watermelons on sandy soil?

Watermelons do best in loamy soil, somewhat-sandy, and well-drained soil. Sandy soil isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as some plants including watermelon. Sandy soil is drains well but because water drain offw too fast, watermelons planted in sandy soil demand extra water and fertilizer.
Water is essential for every process within a plant, including root development, growth, and photosynthesis. But high surface tension of water molecule can limit its penetration and retention into the soil and result in inefficient water use. In sandy, water flows vertically and not distribute uniformly. Sandy soils hold less water and loss of approximately 70% of the water to run-off, thus sandy soil can easily get dry.
Soution:
- HYDRAFLO is a highly effective dual-action (both immediate and long-term) granular wetting agent.
- Product Advantages:
  - Higher retention of water up to 3 months
  - Reduce surface tension of water and improve water distribution inside sandy soil
  - Encourages free drainage of water-logged soils & rewetting of dry soils
  - Creates an ideal balance of air and water that results in healthier, higher quality plants
  - Encourages deeper, stronger roots
  - Easily applied as a topdress

2. Will proper fertilization reduce watermelon mortality and root fungus infection during early growth stage?

Without continued release of key nutrients, watermelon plant will not be able to sustain the vigorous growth of stem and leaves to develop into a plant perfectly poised to photosynthesise the sun’s energy for watermelon fruit formation.
In general, the relationship between mineral nutrition and disease has been well documented, Potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) are the most directly related nutritional factors affecting plant responses to many microbial pathogens.
Adequate Calcium and Potassium has been found to improve soil quality, increase cell wall integrity, thicker skin netting, and ensure proper cell signalling of pathways such as calmodulin, thus reducing the incidence and severity of disease.
Calcium is an essential mineral that has been shown to be important in physiological processes such as plant defence and a deficiency of available Ca can create a more favorable condition for pathogen infection.

* CHANGE TO SULKA

Solution:
- In a trial in on sandy loam soil in Malaysia, a trial has been done on watermelon by comparing top dressing of SULKA to the watermelon crop. It was observed that in early growth stages the SULKA plot plants showed minimum mortality and root fungus infection.
- Using SULKA provided a prolonged availability of potassium, calcium and magnesium which strengthened the plants. The magnesium improved light absorption and rate of photosynthesis.
- At harvest, the SULKA plot of the same area produced a 30% yield increase. The fruit were observed to be bigger and better quality with improved shelf life.

3. can I supply watermelon fertilizer by using only water soluble fertilizers without granular or topdress fertilizer?

The fertigation by water soluble fertilizers is beneficial for growers because it enables to save labor, reducing losses, improving plants nutrient requirements in different stages of crop development, improving the fertilizers efficiency and allowing to maximize the crop yield potential.
Fertigation has increasingly attracted watermelon growers; however it is necessary to provide precise quantity of nutrients and formulation. Using fertigation, an adequate supply of nutrients and water can be directed towards the plant root zone.
Among the benefits of watermelon fertigation are following:
- Nutrients directed to the root zone, reduce wastage
- Uniform distribution of water and nutrients
- Nutrients are dissolved and readily available to plants
- Continuous supply of nutrition, reduce risk of deficiency

Solution:
- NISOL Series
  - Complete range, right formulations for every crop growth stage
  - Chloride free, suitable for most crops
  - High quality, NPK nutrients enriched with TE
  - High solubility, due to our selection of raw materials

4. Do watermelons need Boron?

Boron deficiency is a common deficiency of the micronutrient boron in watermelon plants. It is one of the most widespread micronutrient deficiencies and causes large losses in crop production and crop quality.
The primary function of Boron is to provide structural integrity to the cell wall in plants. Boron working together with Ca to improve plant and crop strength.
Boron is an essential micronutrient for the cultivation of watermelon because it is related to physiological processes essential for production, such as the formation of the pollen tube, favoring fertilization and fruit formation. On the other hand, Ca is a nutrient for proper formation of the cell wall.
Symptoms of deficiency include dying growing tips and bushy, stunted growth; extreme cases may prevent fruit set.
Soution:
- NICALBO; granular fertilizer contains 26% of Calcium (oxide) and 0.2% Boron. By topdress to the watermelon plants, it provides sufficient requirement of Calcium and Boron to plant.
- CALBOR; to get quick effect on Boron nutrition, this foliar application will provide 8.6% Calcium (oxide) with 7% of Boron.

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Guava Grower’s Tips

derrick@brandstoryagency.com.my — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 16:40:51 +0000

Guava Grower’s Tips

How to extend the shelf life of harvested guava?

During storage, biochemical changes affect the texture and quality of guava fruits. Calcium, as a constituent of the cell wall, plays an important role, which influence cell wall strength and the last barrier before fruit damage.
Pre-harvest calcium spray is one of the most practices improving fruit characteristics towards the end of the harvest period. Calcium spray during fruit development and maturing provides a safe mode of supplementing sufficient calcium to fresh fruits.
Calcium is highly immobile in plants and therefore its deficiency first affects young growing shoots and the end part of fruits. Calcium is taken-up by the transpiration stream through the xylem. Hence, conditions such as high temperature or uneven watering will slow down the calcium uptake.

Solutions:

Foliar applied calcium is phloem immobile, and will not traveling into the fruit. Foliar calcium mainly to reduce the sink pressure at the tree canopy, allowing more calcium from soil to travel up through the xylem to be allocated to the fruits.
A practical approach is combination of calcium fertilizers through soil application and foliar application. Different calcium fertilizer will react and uptake by plant by different mode and speed. Recommendation of combination usage as following:
1. CALBOR: Foliar application + fast soluble & available = supply calcium to whole tree canopy, reduce calcium sink pressure on canopy, then allow more calcium inside soil to move to fruits.
2. NICALBOR: Soil application + fast soluble & available = supply quick calcium to whole plant and fruits during peak fruiting stage.

SULKA: Soil application + slow soluble & available = supply calcium to whole plant and fruits for a longer period.

2. Can I foliar spray Humic acid or/and fulvic acid to my guava trees?

Humic and fulvic acids are both humic substances (along with humin). However, there are a few key differences that impact their benefits and how each are best applied.
Humic acids are large molecules that function best in soil. Fulvic acids are much smaller molecules that work well in both soil and foliar application.
Humic acids unlock nutrients and bind to them, making them available for uptake into plants. They stimulate microbial activity in soil, increase water retention, and stimulate root and shoot growth.
Fulvic acids bind to nutrients and transfer those nutrients into plants.
Humic acids can be thought of as the roads that allow for essential exchanges between the plant and soil. Fulvic acids can be thought of as the cars that carry nutrients from the soil into the plant.

Solution:

FULVITA Soluble; apply either as foliar or drenching.
Hulmino granule; apply as soil application. Granular humic acid (10%) plus amino acid (10%).

3. How to induce flowering on mature guava trees?

Potassium Nitrate is commonly used to break dormancy of buds, particularly flower buds. Tree needs to have adequate nitrogen reserves for flowering and subsequent fruit formation.
Potassium Nitrate increase internal ethylene concentrations of shoots and ethylene forming enzyme (EFE) activity in leaves that’s initiation of flowering. Once gibberellins levels fall below a threshold level, starch can start to accumulate, allowing the tree to flower.
After sufficient starch has accumulated, floral initiation will ensue. Potassium Nitrate may active those quiescent buds for floral initiation.
Solution:
Foliar spray of 1.5% to 2.0% of Potassium Nitrate KM SANGRALINE PN 13-0-46+IODINE is able to provide more number of flowers, speed up flower blooming, better fruit set, better fruit retention, better fruit weight and yield.
Other than use for flower induction, Potassium nitrate KM SANGRALINE PN 13-0-46+IODINE also become efficient source for Potassium and Nitrogen source. Nitrate is the preferred nitrogen source. A few of the benefits of using potassium nitrate KM SANGRALINE PN 13-0-46+IODINE is that nitrate can be readily absorbed by the plant, limits the uptake of chloride, avoids acidification of the soil. Meanwhile, potassium promotes photosynthesis and the production of proteins, intensifies the transport and storage of carbohydrates, improves water use efficiency.

4. What are the tips to get good effect from foliar application to guava trees?

Few tips for foliar application to guava trees as following:
- Spray only during early morning or later afternoon, when the temperature is lower.
- Spray when less windy.
- If the mixture phytotoxicity is unknown, do test spray for small area.
- Consider spray concentration according to label and avoid concentrated sprays, as they might scorch leaves.
- When preparing spray mix, it is advisable to keep the pH of the spray solution at level of 5.5 -6.5, to improve the spray efficiency.
Foliar application is an efficient method to get complement of the plant nutrient requirements, among the benefits as following:

- Complement fertilizer: especially for poor root, poor soil, low nutrients in soil, and when nutrient fixation happened (high pH).
- Correct nutrition: when certain deficiencies noticed.
- Growth boosting: quick response during certain growth stages.
- Special effects: flower induction, sun protection, reduce stress.
Selection of nutrient ratio as foliar application is essential to make sure the foliar application provide the targeted nutrients based on certain growth stage. NISOL series provides complete range of water soluble fertilizers suitable for foliar application.

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Cucumber Grower’s Tips

derrick@brandstoryagency.com.my — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 16:27:39 +0000

Cucumber Grower’s Tips

Why are my cucumber plants produce softer leaves, darker green and sometimes thickened and brittle?

Overdosed of Nitrogen caused excessive growth and a softer plant; leaves will be darker green and sometimes thickened and brittle.
Plants given too much nitrogen are generally have thick stems, short internodes, short side shoots, and fewer flowers.
The middle and older leaves cup downwards and wilt easily in warm conditions.
Adjust the fertilizer program to ensure that nutrient ratio and rates do not exceed crop requirements.
Nifosk Series: Imported Compound Fertilizer, produced by a well-known European manufacturer, uses high-grade raw materials with advanced and latest technology that complies with International Standards (IFA). Specially formulated with different ratios of Nitrogen (Ammonium and Nitrate), as well as Phosphate, Potassium, Magnesium, Boron, Sulfur and Effect Elements (TE) that are highly water soluble to ensure the availability of nutrients throughout the planting process, and reduce loss of nutrients.

2. Why are my cucumber plants having yellowing young leaves, but the veins of the leaves stay green.

Typically, the iron deficiency caused leaf chlorosis start at the tips of new growth.
Iron deficiency causes a uniform pale green chlorosis of the newest leaves, other elder leaves remain dark green. If the deficiency is severe, the leaves may eventually burn, especially if exposed to strong sunlight.
Iron deficiency in plants is normally cause by Soil pH is too high, Soil has too much clay, Compacted or overly wet soil, too much phosphorus in the soil, short of supply of trace elements especially Iron.

Solution:

Fixing Soil pH That Is Too High; If the soil pH is over 7, the soil pH is restricting the ability of the plant to get iron from the soil.
Correcting Soil That Has Too Much Clay; Clay soil lacks organic material. The lack of organic material is actually the reason that a plant cannot get iron from clay soil, adding more organic materials.
Increasing soil TE with TRACEION (5Fe/2.5Zn/2.5Mn/0.5Cu/1B/3Mgo/0.05Mo); The best way to quickly solve the TE problem especially Fe deficiency is to apply a soluble form of the Trace Element Mix, so that the plant can quickly absorb the deficient nutrient. In situations where deficiencies are severe, both soil and foliage applications are advisable for quick recovery.

3. Why my cucumber plant grows toward sunlight? Is it related to my curving fruits?

Auxins are a powerful growth hormone produced naturally by plants. They are found in shoot and root tips and promote cell division, stem and root growth. They can also drastically affect plant orientation by promoting cell division to one side of the plant in response to sunlight and gravity.
The roots to the plant function like the foundation of a house. The stronger the root system, the stronger the plant and the more likely that plant can overcome environmental stress.
Auxins can be produced naturally (by the plant) or synthetically (in a lab). When produced synthetically, they can be used in high concentrations as a pesticide, causing drastic growth.
How to induce more Auxin?

Solution:

WEGROW induced synthetic plant growth regulator to induce auxin.
It is suitable for the whole growth period of all plants. Mainly used for regulating plant growth and increasing yield.
This product can be used in every stage from seedling to harvesting, without residual. It promotes the flowing of protoplasm in cells, increase the photosynthesis and improve the absorption of root to nutrient
Stimulating root branching and initiate roots system.
Promoting fruit development, promote maturation of the ovary wall and promote development of the fruit.

Fruit curving lowers the commercial value of cucumber and leads to significant economic losses. Changes in the curve angle in the fruits and analyses showed that asymmetric auxin distribution induces fruit curving.
Analysis showed that the addition of auxin concentration were contributed to an equal rate of growth of both sides of cucumber fruits and resulted in a straight shape of the fruits.

4. Is pollination needed for cucumber plants?

Cucumbers are monoecious plants which have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The female flowers have small immature fruit at the base of the flower and male flower do not have any. Pollen is transferred from male to female flower by bees or other insects. When pollinated properly, female flower develops into fruit.
There are different types of cucumber hybrids such as gynoecious varieties that produce predominantly female flowers, and seeds of monoecious varieties are mixed with it for pollination.
There are also cucumber hybrids that produce fruits without pollination. These varieties are called parthenocarpic varieties, resulting in fruits that are called ‘seedless’, although the fruit often contain soft, white seed coats.
How to improve flowering to extend harvesting period?

Solution:

For crop such as cucumbers which has a continuous flowering and fruiting, a regular supply of phosphorus (and other elements) is needed to ensure that the plant can continuously produce flower and sustain quality fruit production over a prolonged period.
P availability is usually optimal when the soil pH is between 6.0 and 6.5. The P is “fixed” with other elements when the pH is too low or too high, making the P less available to plants.
The P application through foliar may enhance the applied P efficacy with potential increase in P use efficiency.
Nisol 10-50-10+TE; Foliar spray at dosage of 2-4g per L of water. Quick absorption to prepare plant with sufficient nutrients, especially Phosphorus that needed during flowering.

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Banana Grower’s Tips

derrick@brandstoryagency.com.my — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:40:06 +0000

Banana Grower’s Tips

1. What are the key nutrients for banana planting?

Explanation:

Uptake of macronutrients is in the following mass order: Potassium (K) > Nitrogen (N) > Calcium (Ca) > Magnesium (Mg) > Phosphorus (P).
N:K ratio for optimum banana yields is recommended between 1:1.2 and 1:1.6. Low N:K ratio results in:
Ripe banana finger drops off easily during harvesting, especially during hot, wet
Delay in bunch
Widely spread hands, easily damaged during
Fruit pedicles are fragile and when ripe, fruit fall from the bunch
Reduced environmental resistance, example strongConstant need for K throughout the growth period, 80% of K application should be done before peak flowering and early fruiting.
Smaller K rates at early stages, increased K rates in month before and after flowering.
Solutions:
NIFOSK S 15-5-20+2MgO+25S+TE.
– N:K ration of 1:1.3.
– Provide sufficient nutrient requirement of K and N during fruiting
KM SANGRALINE PN 13-0-46+IODINE
– N:K ratio of 1:3.
– Quick supply of high K nutrient either by apply to soil or foliar

2. Why The banana fruit quality is inferior and the peel splits during ripening?

Reasons:

Calcium deficiency symptoms include spike leaves (leaves in which the banana is deformed or almost absent).
In Calcium deficient plants, fruit quality is inferior and the skin splits when
Other symptoms of damage with deficiency of Calcium such as youngest leaf become abnormal in size, leaf margins become dry and cause the spike leaf in which the lamina on new leaves is
Overdosed of Nitrogen caused higher amount of water been carried to banana fruits, with sudden wet and hot weather plus high
Uderdosed of Calcium or/and Boron. Why Ca is difficult to manage?
- Ca is immobile nutrient and do not redistribute within the plant. Ca does not move to areas of active growth. Deficiency symptoms show up in the new growth first and most end part of
- Ca needs to be supplied continuously to make sure each part of active growth especially fruit will get sufficient
- Ca strengthens the cell wall but it needs to be supported by sufficient binder nutrient such as Boron or
- Most Ca fertilizer comes with form of either too fast to dissolve or too low in solubility, it reduces the efficiency of Ca absorption to
- Solutions:

Sulka

Contains 4 nutrients that needed to fruiting specially to avoid fruit cracking; Potassium for better fruit size, Mg for better photosynthesis, Ca for better fruit wall cell, S for better fruit
Fully soluble; consist partially quick available nutrients and partially slow released for longer effect. It provides sufficient quick Ca and long-term Ca supply.

NicalBo

Ca strengthens the fruit cell wall and reduces the risk of fruit cracking. Additional B playing role like glue to make sure the fruit is stronger to avoid crack.
Fast dissolved to supply quick Ca & B during peak growth of

3. Can I use foliar fertilizer to supplement the nutrient requirement for banana?

The banana roots readily absorb most mineral nutrients. However, the extensive leaf area of banana leaves makes them also a good way to absorb nutrients. Indeed, there are many advantages as follows:
- When certain nutrients are fixed and immobile in the
- When deficiencies are detected and a quick correction is
- When root activity is inactive or stressed by high soil temperature, poor aeration, nematodes, or damage by
- When direct soil application is limited due to weed
Solution:
- Nisol Series
- Quick absorption by plant for quick effect and uniform spread of

4. Which fulvic acid help the growth of banana?

Fulvic acid is one of the components of humic substances generally obtained from humic soil. Fulvic acid has the effect of facilitating the absorption of fertilizer by plants and improving the soil
By encapsulating the minerals for photosynthesis, such as ferum and magnesium ions, fulvic acid enables plants to absorb minerals
Benefits of fulvic acid:
- Activation of photosynthesis: Fulvic acid wrap the mineral components in the soil and efficiently transport them into plant cells (chelating effect). Iron and magnesium ions are indispensable for photosynthesis, and fulvic acid promotes the function of transporting those ions in the soil into plant cells by a chelating effect, thereby leading to activation of
- Efficient absorption of fertilizer: In situations where the fertilizer component is not sufficiently dissolved in the soil, the addition of fulvic acid promotes the elution of the fertilizer component into the
- Promotion of soil aggregation: soil aggregation is promoted by fulvic acid mediating iron and aluminum, one of the constituents of the soil particles, to bind the soil particles

Solution:

Fulvita Soluble
Fulvita Granular

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Papaya Grower’s Tips

derrick@brandstoryagency.com.my — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:26:30 +0000

Papaya Grower’s Tips

1. Is Phosphorus important for papaya?

Phosphorus is important for the papaya growing, it helps the development of an active root system, and in flower initiation and fruit set.
For soil with low pH and high soil iron levels, particularly in leached red soils can reduce phosphorus availability.
P deficient trees bear fewer fruits and hence suggested that P has an effect on setting the fruit. Plants raised on P deficient nutritive solution resulted in P deficiency symptoms initially in the oldest leaves, which have amottled yellow color along the edges. As deficiency progresses, the yellow areas become necrotic and the leaves have pointed lobes while the edges curl upwards.
Hence, a more soluble and available source of P is recommended to handle the P requirements.
Solutions:
– NIFOSK S Series
– High content of soluble P
NISOL Soluble Yellow 10-50-10+TE
– High P formula.
– Suitable to enhance the flowering.

2. Why my papaya fruit become deformed and lumpy?

Reasons:
– On papaya, symptoms of boron deficiency usually start when fruit are young, but it is on the mature fruit that they become most obvious. Fruits are deformed, plants are stunted and leaves are brittle and claw-like.
– When fruit develop, they are likely to secrete a white latex. Later, the fruit become deformed and lumpy. The deformation is very probably the result of incomplete fertilization as most of the seed in the seed cavity are either abortive, poorly developed, or absent. If the symptoms begin when the fruit are very small, then most do not grow to full size.
Solutions:
NicalBo
– Ca strengthens the fruit cell wall and reduces the risk of fruit cracking. Additional B playing role like glue to make sure the fruit is stronger to avoid crack.
– Fast dissolved to supply quick Ca & B during peak growth of fruits.

3. How to I handle drought season for my papaya trees?

Watering is the most critical aspect in raising papayas. The plants should be kept on to the dry side to avoid root rot, but also need enough water to support their large leaves.
Papaya plants produce more and bigger fruits if they are received sufficient water, else the flowers will drop off if they do not get enough water.
Drought stress damages the plants at the vegetative level and limits the reproductive development. Stomata closure is the initial response to drought, and this inhibits physiological and biochemical responses in plants. Moreover, this process alters the developmental process by driving plants to adopt a defensive state where plant productivity is hindered.
Extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweeds are largely used to reduce the harmful effects of abiotic stress and enhance plant growth. The chemical composition of these seaweeds is mainly fatty acids, phytohormones, vitamins, mineral nutrients, and polysaccharides.
Solution:
– Almino
1. Contains extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweeds, it has been shown to contain phytohormones—inorganic and organic components that act against the harshness of drought stress and enhance crop production and yield.
2. Contains Amino Acid, it can play different roles in plants, such as stress-reducing agents, shortcut for nutrient source and hormone precursors.

4. Will papaya tree grow well on waterlogged or harden soil condition?

Papaya crop flowers best in bright environment in porous soil with moisture in hot weather. Papaya plants grow best in near neutral soil pH (between pH 6.0 and 7.0). Soil types with adequate drainage is well suited for good growth and development of Papayas.
Poor soil condition such as waterlogged and harden soil conditions can lead to root diseases. Organic material may be added to the soil for better root development.
Fulvic acid is one of the components of humic substances generally obtained from humic soil. Fulvic acid has the effect of facilitating the absorption of fertilizer by plants and improving the soil environment.
Soil aggregation is promoted by fulvic acid mediating iron and aluminum, one of the constituents of the soil particles, to bind the soil particles together.
Solution:
Fulvita Soluble
– Fully water-soluble micro-molecule fulvic acid, easily combined with nutrients and transferred into plants.
Fulvita Granular

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Durian Grower’s Tips

derrick@brandstoryagency.com.my — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:10:29 +0000

Durian Grower’s Tips

1. Why my durian trees have many flowers but not able to form fruit?

Reasons:
Too wet caused by overwatering or raining. When raining, too much of water will be brought up to plant. High amount of water reaching to flower and cause most flowers drop off.
If plant overdosed on Nitrogen fertilizer (from either high-N fertilizer or high dose of compost/organic fertilizer, durian tree will absorb high amount of water together with Nitrogen during raining or overwatering condition. Such condition will cause the flower drop easily.
Deficiency of nutrients such as Phosphorus & Boron. Phosphorus is a vital nutrient involved in stimulating and enhancing bud development, seed formation and blooming. Boron increases flower production and retention, pollen tube elongation, and seed and fruit development. Deficiency of B can cause incomplete pollination.
Solutions:
Reduce irrigation and avoid high Nitrogen of fertilizer during preparation of flowering.
Nisol 10-50-10+TE
Foliar spray at dosage of 2-4g per L of water.
Quick absorption to prepare plant with sufficient nutrients, especially Phosphorus that needed during flowering.
NiCalBo 15.5-0-0+26Cao+2B
Apply 0.5-1.0kg per tree during preparation of flowering.
B helps to improve pollination and Ca helps to strengthen the plant during flowering.

2. Why my durians tend to crack easily during maturing and harvest?

Reasons:

Too much of rain during fruit development. If frequent rainfall occurs during the rapid fruit expansion period, the water transported by the root system to the fruit will increase rapidly, and the pulp cells will rapidly expand. At this time, the husk is mostly aging, and the husk cells are slow to expand due to the restriction of the cuticle. Irregular water uptake going from very dry to very wet plays a major role in fruit cracking.
Overdosed of Nitrogen or/and Potassium. Overdosed of Nitrogen caused higher amount of water been carried to durian tree and fruits, with sudden wet and hot weather plus high humidity, the durian fruits tend to crack easily. The antagonistic relationship between potassium and calcium in plant tissue is well documented. When durian trees contain high concentrations of potassium, foliar or soil applications of calcium are ineffective at producing the desired crop response.

Uderdosed of Calcium or/and Boron. Why Ca is difficult to manage?
– Ca is immobile nutrient and do not redistribute within the plant. Ca does not move to areas of active growth. Deficiency symptoms show up in the new growth first and most end part of fruit.
– Ca needs to be supplied continuously to make sure each part of active growth especially fruit will get sufficient ca.
– Ca strengthens the cell wall but it needs to be supported by sufficient binder nutrient such as Boron or Silicone.
– Most Ca fertilizer comes with form of either too fast to dissolve or too low/slow in solubility, it reduces the efficiency of Ca absorption to plant.
– Fruit cracking also can happen with combination of few reasons.

Solutions:

Sulka
– Contains 4 nutrients that needed for fruiting specially to avoid fruit cracking; Potassium for better fruit size, Mg for better photosynthesis, Ca for better fruit wall cell, S for better fruit aroma.
– Fully soluble; consist partially quick available nutrients and partially slow released for longer effect. It provides sufficient quick Ca and long-term Ca supply.
NicalBo
– Ca strengthens the fruit cell wall and reduces the risk of fruit cracking. Additional B playing role like glue binding the cell wall to make sure the fruit is stronger to avoid crack.
– Fast dissolved to supply quick Ca & B during peak growth of fruits.

3. How to make my young durian trees produce fruit that taste like old trees?

Sulfur is especially important, as it forms organic compounds within the plant that ultimately contribute to the flavor of durian fruits.
Volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) are often responsible for better aroma and color of durian fruits.
Sulfur is also a structural sub-component of amino acids, proteins and many micronutrients and is essential to the production of chlorophyll.
Sulfur is not very mobile within the plant and so it needs to be supplied in the form of soluble and continuously form.
Sulka:
– Organic certified and comes from natural source.
– High content of 48% of Suphate that readily available to plants.
– Fully soluble; consist partially quick available nutrients and partially slow released for longer effect.

4. Any more sustainable method to control Phytophthora on my durian trees?

A better way is to increase the tree’s own defenses and thereby allowing susceptible plants to survive within Phytophthora.
It is important to note that there is no treatment that will eradicate Phytophthora, so a more sustainable and cost-effective method can be considered.

Solution:

Fosfika:
– Fully systemic, providing protection of the entire plant.
– Unique upward and downward systemic activity to protect the entire plant.
– Stimulates plant disease defense mechanisms; producing compounds like phytoalexins (antibody) which are toxic to pathogens.
Formation of necrotic zones (programmed cell death to limit pathogen spread), production of plant hormones involved in defense, production of defense lytic enzymes, and thickening of cell walls.
Use Fosfika as foliar fertilizer at a dose of 2-3 ml / liter water.

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