Applications of silicon help to boost yields with applications made from runner formation through to harvest, marginally more effective than those from flowering onwards (Figure 96).
Increasing Fruit Firmness with Silicon (Si)
Silicon also has an effect on fruit quality, through improving firmness (Figure 98) and there are indications that Si can also improve disease tolerance, e.g. to powdery mildew (Figure 99). Applications of silicon can improve shelf life. The key benefit of silicon in this respect is its role in reinforcing the cell wall.
There are also reports that Si can reduce the effects of a range of other stresses as well, e.g. pest, salinity and heavy metal toxicity.
Commercial trials with YaraVita Actisil* show this yield increase, with silicon applied either via fertigation or by foliar means being effective.
* YaraVita Actisil is based on choline-stabilized ortho-silicic acid increasingly used for strengthening plant tissues and supporting plant growth.
Recommended Yara Fertilizers for Soft Fruit
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YaraLiva CALCINIT
15.5% N + 18.8% Ca - Fully water soluble nitrogen and calcium fertilizer which is a free flowing and dissolves quickly in water without any residues so is suitable for application through all fertigation systems.
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YaraTera KRISTALON SCARLET
7.5-12-36 + 4.5% MgO 10% SO3 - A water soluble NPK fertilizer for liquid feeding and contains a full range of chelated micronutrients ideal for all fertigation systems.
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YaraTera KRISTALON RED
12-12-36 + 1% MgO 2.5% SO3 - A water soluble NPK fertilizer for liquid feeding and contains a full range of chelated micronutrients ideal for all fertigation systems.
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YaraTera KRISTALON LILAC LB
20-8-8 + 2% MgO 25% SO3 - A water soluble NPK fertilizer for liquid feeding and contains a full range of chelated micronutrients ideal for all fertigation systems.
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YaraTera KRISTA K PLUS
YaraTera KRISTA K PLUS 13.7% N 46.3% P2O5 - A fully water soluble nitrogen and magnesium fertilizer. It is a free flowing fine crystalline powder which dissolves quickly in water without any residues.
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YaraTera KRISTA MAG
YaraTera KRISTA MAG - 11% N 15% MgO - A fully water soluble nitrogen and magnesium fertilizer. It is a free flowing fine crystalline powder which dissolves quickly in water without any residues.
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YaraTera REXOLIN Q15
YaraTera Rexolin Q15 is a high performance microgranular EDDHA iron chelate containing 7% iron with 1.5% of the iron as the ortho-ortho isomer. The micro granular formulation is stable, fully water-soluble and non-dusting. Ideal for use in agriculture and horticulture in soil applications. The product is specifically formulated to provide maximum crop safety. This helps to ensure that application will not cause damage to the crop which can reduce it's market value. Analysis 7% w/w = 70 g/kg Fe (chelated by EDDHA) Pack Size 25kg Available in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland..
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YaraMila GROWER
15-3.9-16.6 + 3.8% S + 1.1% Mg - Compound field grade NPK fertilizer based on 35% SOP and 65% MOP for use on a wide range of horticultural crops.
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YaraVita BORTRAC 150
A liquid micronutrient fertilizer containing 150 g/l boron for foliar application to provide additional boron or to treat boron deficiencies in a wide range of crops.
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YaraVita SENIPHOS
A liquid micronutrient fertilizer containing high concentrations of phosphate and calcium for foliar application to improve yield and quality in fruit and potatoes.
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YaraVita MAGFLO 300
A flowable liquid fertilizer containing 300 g/l magnesium for foliar application to cereals and potatoes or treat magnesium deficiency in a wide range of crops.
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YaraVita STOPIT
A liquid micronutrient fertilizer containing 160 g/l calcium for foliar application to control and reduce calcium related disorders in top fruit and other crops.