Tri-Pholate Improves Yield and Grade-Out in Citrus
Independent research conducted at Karo Regency in Indonesia by Frits H. Silalahi and Augustina E. Marpaung showed consistent improvements in yield and grade-out following foliar spray applications of Tri-Pholate to citrus (Mandarin Orange) test crops.
The trials were carried out between June 2006 and May 2007 at three locations in Paribun village with citrus farmers on the Bukit Barisan High Land of North Sumatra.
There were five replicates of each treatment at all three trial sites. The research programme was designed to evaluate the effects of spraying different rates of Tri-Pholate onto citrus trees that were selected as being representative of those grown in the region.
The citrus farmers who collaborated in the research had never used micronutrient fertilisers before and the citrus trees involved in the trial had long histories of low productivity.
Tri-Pholate is a composite product that contains all six of the micronutrients that are essential for successful crop growth and development with the following analysis in g/kg:
70 Manganese (Mn)
50 Zinc (Zn)
25 Iron (Fe)
20 Boron (B)
20 Copper (Cu)
1 Molybdenum (Mo)
Based on experience and analytical data this was perceived to be a good micronutrient balance for the requirements of the citrus crop grown in these locations.
Tri-Pholate was sprayed at various rates by Silalahi and Marpaung in 20 litres of water per tree, on eight occasions throughout the growing season, to evaluate the effects of repeated micronutrient treatment application.
The best response was consistently achieved with the rate of 2.5 g Tri-Pholate per 20 litres water per tree.
At location 1, this increased production by 38.6 kg per tree. Furthermore, the fruit quality was raised from 19.57% to 25.13% grade A fruit, representing a 28.4% improvement in this criterion.
The results were even more impressive at location 2, where production was increased by 49.3 kg per tree with grade A fruit raised from 20.05% to 29.41%, which is a 31.7% improvement in fruit quality.
At location 3, which was a very poor performing site, treatment raised productivity by 20.7 kg per tree and though no fruit at this site reached grade A quality, the percentage of fruit classed as grade B quality rose from 28.57% to 70.53%. In this series of trials conducted by independent researchers, Tri-Pholate consistently increased citrus yield per tree and elevated the grade-out of A and B class fruits.
Looks like Tri-Pholate, with its technical balance of all six essential micronutrients, may be just the ticket for use on more citrus crops around the world.
Author: David Bilsborough, Global
Published: October 2007