Crop Guide: Strawberry cultivation

Table 1: Conversion coefficients between nutrient forms

 

Table 2: Conversion coefficients between nutrient concentration expressions

 

Fertilizer concentration calculations

ppm = parts per million

mM = milli molar

meq/l = milliequivalent per liter

 

The term states how many parts of solute there are in a million parts of the whole solution. Parts per million usually expresses concentrations on a mass basis, e.g., 1 gram in 1 metric ton of water (the mass of 1 cubic meter of water).

 

One millimolar (mM) concentration refers to a solution containing one-thousandth of molecular weight (g) of the solute per liter of water. One molar (M) concentration equals 1,000 millimolar (mM) concentration.

 

Milliequivalents per liter (meq / L concentrations are often used to show the strength of fertilizer ions (anion or cation) in a solution. Since one equivalent weight is the molecular weight divided by valence, one meq / L refers to the ionic concentration of a solution that contains one millimole / valence per liter of water.

 

The nutritional value of solid fertilizers is generally expressed in a constant order and percentage of its constituents. For example, a fertilizer designated: 18-9-27+2MgO contains:

18% of nitrogen + 9% of phosphorus oxide + 27% of potassium oxide + 2% of magnesium oxide.

Hence, 1 kg of this fertilizer will contain 180g of nitrogen + 90g of P₂O₅ + 270g of K₂O + 20g of MgO.

 

As in several parts of the world (e.g., South Africa and Australia) nutrients are expressed by their elemental form and not by their oxide form, one can easily transform the above data by using Conversion Table 1 above. Hence, the above mentioned fertilizer contains: 180g of nitrogen + 90g x 0.44 = 39.6g of elemental phosphorus + 270g x 0.83 = 224.1 of elemental potassium + 20g x 0.6 = 12g of elemental magnesium.

 

The nutritional value of liquid fertilizers is generally expressed in a constant order, which is equal to the one used for solid fertilizers, but the contents are indicated on a volume basis, accompanied by the specific gravity of the solution. For example, a fertilizer designated: 9-3-6 contains: 9% nitrogen + 3% phosphorus oxide + 6% potassium oxide.

 

If the manufacturer indicates that the specific gravity of this fertilizer solution is 1.18 kg / L, one liter of this fertilizer contains:

 

1,000 x 0.09 x 1.18 = 106.2 g of nitrogen +

1,000 x 0.03 x 1.18 = 35.4 g of P₂O₅ +

1,000 x 0.06 x 1.18 = 70.8 g of K₂O

 

Table 3: Conversion coefficients between agronomic units

 

2. Appendix II - Haifa Specialty Fertilizers

 

Haifa's Potassium Nitrate products represent a unique source of potassium due to their nutritional value and contribution to plant's health and yields. Potassium Nitrate has distinctive chemical and physical properties that are beneficial to the environment. Haifa offers a wide range of potassium nitrate products for Nutrigation™, foliar sprays, side-dressing and controlled-release fertilization.

Haifa's potassium nitrate products are marketed under the Multi-K™ brand.

 

Multi-K™ Products

Multi-K™ Classic Crystalline potassium nitrate (13-0-46)

Multi-K™ Prills Potassium nitrate prills (13-0-46)

Multi-K™ GG Greenhouse-grade potassium nitrate (13.5-0-46.2)

Multi-K™ pHast Low-pH potassium nitrate (13.5-0-46.2)

Multi-K™ Absolute Hydroponics-grade potassium nitrate (13.8-0-46.5)

Multi-npK™ Enriched with phosphate; crystalline or prills

Multi-K™ Mg Enriched with magnesium; crystalline or prills

Multi-K™ Zn Enriched with zinc; crystalline

Multi-K™ S Enriched with sulfate; crystalline

Multi-K™ B Enriched with boron; crystalline or prills

Multi-K™ ME Enriched with magnesium and micronutrients; crystalline

 

Nutrigation™ (fertigation) delivers pure plant nutrients through the irrigation system, supplying essential nutrients precisely to the area of most intensive root activity. Haifa’s well-balanced Nutrigation™ program provides the plant with their exact needs accordingly with seasonal changes. Decades of experience in production and application of specialty fertilizers for Nutrigation™ have made Haifa a leading company in this field. Haifa keeps constantly up to date with contemporary scientific and agricultural research, in order to continuously broaden its product line to better meet the requirements of crops and cropping environments.

 

Haifa offers a wide range of water-soluble fertilizers for Nutrigation™. All products contain only pure plant nutrients and are free of sodium and chloride

 

Multi-K™ Comprehensive range of plain and enriched potassium nitrate products

Poly-Feed™ Soluble NPK fertilizers enriched with secondary and micro-nutrients

Haifa MAP™ Mono-ammonium phosphate

Haifa MKP™ Mono-potassium phosphate

Haifa Cal™ Calcium nitrate

Magnisal™ Our original magnesium nitrate fertilizer

Haifa Micro™ Chelated micronutrients

Haifa VitaPhos-K™ Precipitation-proof poly-phosphate for soilless Nutrigation™

Haifa ProteK™ Systemic PK fertilizer

 

Foliar Feeding provides fast, on-the-spot supplementary nutrition to ensure high, top quality yields and is an ideal feeding method under certain growth conditions in which absorption of nutrients from the soil is inefficient, or for use on short–term crops. Precision-timed foliar sprays are also a fast-acting and effective method for treating nutrient deficiencies. Foliar application of the correct nutrients in relatively low concentrations at critical stages in crop development contributes significantly to higher yields and improved quality. Haifa offers a selection of premium fertilizers for foliar application. Haifa offers a selection of fertilizers for foliar application:

 

Haifa Bonus™ High-K foliar formulas enriched with special adjuvants for better absorption and prolonged action.

Poly-Feed™ Foliar NPK formulas enriched with micronutrients specially designed to enhance the crop performance during specific growth stages.

Magnisal™, Haifa MAP™, Haifa MKP™, Haifa Cal™ and Haifa Micro™ are also suitable for foliar application.

 

Multicote™, Haifa's range of Controlled Release Fertilizers includes products for agriculture, horticulture, ornamentals and turf. Multicote™ products provide plants with balanced nutrition according to their growth needs throughout the growth cycle. Multicote™ products enhance plant growth, improve nutrients use efficiency, save on labor and minimize environmental impact.

 

Single, pre-plant application controlled-release fertilizer can take care of the crop’s nutritional requirements throughout the growth season. Controlled release fertilizers are designed to feed plants continuously, with maximal efficiency of nutrients uptake. Controlled release fertilizers save labor and application costs. Their application is independent of the irrigation system, and does not require sophisticated equipment.

Taking advantage of MulticoTech™ polymer coating technology, Haifa produces Multicote™ line of controlled release fertilizers.

 

Multicote™ for nurseries and ornamentals; NPK formulae with release longevities of 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16 months.

Multicote™ Agri / Multigro™ for agriculture and horticulture

CoteN™ controlled-release urea for arable crops

Multicote™ Turf / Multigreen™ for golf courses, sports fields, municipals and domestic lawns.

Pioneering Solutions

Haifa develops and produces Potassium Nitrate products, Soluble Fertilizers for Nutrigation™ and foliar sprays, and Controlled-Release Fertilizers. Haifa’s Agriculture Solutions maximize yields from given inputs of land, water, and plant nutrients for diverse farming practices. With innovative plant nutrition schemes and highly efficient application methods, Haifa’s solutions provide balanced plant nutrition at precise dosing, composition, and placing. This ultimately delivers maximum efficiency, optimal plant development, and minimized losses to the environment.

 

Need more information about growing strawberries? You can always return to the strawberry fertilizer & strawberry crop guide table of contents