Trial results for a new premium zinc and manganese liquid fertiliser revealed
A plant can take all necessary micronutrients through its roots, but this process can be disturbed if the ground is too cold, wet or dry. If the content of organic matter in the soil is high, the pH value is too high or too low, and the nutrient values are not balanced, the intake of micronutrients can be further disturbed. If the soil does not contain all micronutrients needed for the plant’s growth, the use of a granular fertiliser that does not contain micronutrients is not sufficient – in such a case, foliar fertilisers or seed treatment with micronutrients are required.
Manganese deficiency is very common in Finland, where the soil’s natural manganese content is relatively low. It can affect the yield of crops. The soil’s manganese content is greatly affected by dryness and high pH values. As for zinc, its content in the soil is naturally lower in certain parts of Finland, and additional zinc fertilising can be useful in such areas.
ZM-Grow rM has been tested on a wide variety of crops with more trials ongoing. Trial data so far has been extremely positive with significant uplift shown. For more trial data results check out our website www.badgercropnutrition.co.uk
Oats – Tests were carried out on oats in Ruukki, Finland in 2015. It was a rainy, relatively cold year. According to analysis, the field had poor Manganese content but a satisfactory content of Zinc. That month there was 100mm of rainfall which meant that no major benefit was expected.
Wheat and Barley – Tests were carried out in 2017 in Vastankvarn in Finland. According to analysis tests the field had a poor content of both Zn and Mn. There was even rainfall during the growing season but dryer prior to treatment. The spraying took place one month after sowing. The treatment had a major impact on crop yield, especially in barley, which is know to be more vulnerable to Mn deficiency than wheat.
Maize – ZM-Grow was tested on maize in 2018 in Ylistaro in Finland. According to fertility analysis, the test section had poor Mn content and passable Zn content. The test squares were sprayed twice in late July. Maize needs a lot of Zn when it’s roots are developing at the beginning of the growing season. This is when spraying should take place.
Seed Treatment – Cereal seeds can be treated with ZM-Grow. This provides the plant with the Zn and Mn needed for initial development. In 2018 tests were conducted on barley and oats in Vastankvarn in Finland. According to analysis the test section had satisfactory Zn and Mn and passable P. Treatment with ZM-Grow increased crop yield, even though Zn and Mn contents were both at a good level.
Grass – A test was conducted in 2017 Maalahti in Finland on grass consisting of timothy, meadow fescue and rye-grass 1 growing in humus soil. In this test, ZM-Grow was sprayed on one week before mowing. The contents of both Mn and Zn in the first crop increased by approx. 25%. the second crop had high contents of Mn. The first harvest had been fertilised with and NK fertiliser containing both Mn and Zn, which could also affect the contents of the second crop.
