Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Multinutrient and Mixed Nutrient Fertilizers
Winegrowers are offered a bewildering range of specialist multinutrient and
mixed fertilizers in solid and liquid form.Table 3.14 gives a few Australian
examples. Some of these fertilizers supply the macronutrients N, P, and K in
various ratios, with or without a suite of micronutrients (commonly labeled
“trace elements”), while others supply a mixture of micronutrients only (either
as inorganic salts or complexed with organic agents such as fulvic acid or a ligno-
sulphonate). Yet others primarily supply organic compounds such as molasses,
humicandfulvicacids,andunquantiiedconcentrationsofvitaminsandplant
growth hormones derived from materials such as kelp (seaweed) and fish emul-
sion. Beyond their content of the essential nutrients, the value of these extra
compounds, at the relatively low concentrations recommended, is scientifically
dubious. Furthermore, the commercial micronutrient products are “shotgun”
mixtures, which are recommended irrespective of any identification of a defi-
ciency by plant analysis. Although some winegrowers are convinced that the use
of such multinutrient and mixed fertilizers is beneficial for their vines, others will
Table 3.14
Examples of Propriety-Brand Multinutrient and Mixed Nutrient Fertilizers
Fertilizer
product
a
Analysis (%)
Comments (from product descriptions)
Baseline Plus
12-5-14 (N-P-K)
Source of N, P, K, and unspecified
chelated trace elements and
biological stimulants
TE 6 Plus
2.6N,0.1K,4.2S,2.4Mg,3.1
Mn,3.1Zn,0.47Cu,0.02Mo,
0.21 B, 0.73 Fe, 0.05 Co, 0.5
fulvic acid
AfocusonMg,Mn,ZnandCuwith
fulvic acid as a chelating agent “to
benefit plant permeability”
QuadSHOT
0.4 N, 2.4 P, 2.9 K, 0.2 Ca, 0.002
B, 0.001 Zn, 7.3 fish emulsion,
7.3 kelp, 7.3 molasses, 6.0
humic acid, 0.24 fulvic acid
Organic additives and stimulants aid
nutrient cycling, root growth, soil
biota; the mixture increases soil
CEC
and “improves saline and sodic soils”
Smartrace
products
N,P,K,S,Ca,Mg,Fe,Mn,Cu,
Zn,B,andMoinvarious
combinations and different
concentrations
Free-lowingliquidsolutions
containing complexing
lignosulphonates; “trace elements are
released at a controlled rate”
Gripper
products
Micronutrients,Ca,andMg
in various combinations and
different concentrations
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
complexes the nutrient elements,
which “will easily penetrate the leaf
cuticle”
a
The product range is likely to change over time.
