Seniphos - get "reddy" for picking
Seniphos is a liquid product formulated for foliar application of calcium and phosphorus onto a wide range of crop types. Its primary constituents are phosphate (P2O5) and calcium.
Seniphos is one of Phosyn´s most established formulations being developed during the 1970´s as a result of collaborative research with East Malling Research Station into treatments to improve the storage potential of apples. Multiple applications of Seniphos commencing from fruit set can increase fruit firmness and reduce the incidence of physiological disorders during long term fruit storage.
During the early 1990´s grower comments suggested that later applications of Seniphos were having a positive effect on the red coloration of red and bi-coloured apples. The coloration effect was confirmed by CIREA in France at an early stage under more controlled conditions using quantitative rather than qualitative assessment methods.
Trials conducted in 1992 by East Malling Research Station showed that timing of application appeared to have a controlling effect on the development of a better red colour on the fruit. Applications nearer to harvest gave the better response. It is now believed that the best responses are achieved when applications are made once the fruit has begun to change colour, normally 2 to 3 weeks before harvest.
One of the benefits of application with Seniphos is that red colour may be produced earlier without necessarily advancing maturity allowing fruit to be picked ahead of others and enabling better marketing flexibility of harvested fruit.
In an attempt to understand the mechanism behind the coloration effect, research conducted by Udl-IRTA in Spain suggests that it could be linked to increased production of PAL (phenylalanine ammonia lyase), an enzyme involved in the synthesis of anthocyanin which gives the fruit its red colour. As a confirmation of the 1992 East Malling research, anthocyanin production and therefore red coloration was greater when the application was made nearer harvest.
Author: Mike Beesley, Germany
Published: July 2001