NatuGro in blueberries: greater yields, a resilient crop, and reduced fertilizer use
“With NatuGro, we get greater productivity as well as better nutrient provision”, says Dutch blueberry grower Hay Geurts.
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ore and more blueberry growers are experiencing the positive effects of NatuGro for themselves. This cultivation system, based on natural substances, has greatly improved production and fruit quality on many farms. The German firm Blueberry Giant saw production of its variety Duke increase by 15% on a treated plot due to greater berry weight. The Dutch grower Hay Geurts has comparable experiences with NatuGro, and has discovered that the amount of artificial fertilizer used can be reduced. Blueberry Giant's production area covers 40 ha. The farm based in Weeze already has two years’ experience with the natural NatuGro system. “The improved growth was clearly visible in 2013, especially in the spring,” explains crop manager Jo Berden. “That was important for the development of the flower buds. The stronger they are, the more berries will be produced.”
Production 15% higher
In 2014, NatuGro was used once again on a 5 ha. plot planted with Aurora. At the end of the season, the plot had produced 15% more berries by weight due to larger and heavier fruit. Jo Berden explains: “The NatuGro products allow the crop to absorb and use the nutrients provided better and more efficiently.” He emphasizes that the plot concerned always used to have the lowest productivity. Now it is the most productive. “For me, it is clear that NatuGro is what has made the difference. Research has also demonstrated that the soil is now richer and more varied, now containing more useful microorganisms.” Jo Berden also saw less damage caused by insects in the treated plot. “The crop has become more resilient.”
Reduced artificial fertilizers
Growers can use the NatuGro products in combination or separately. The products include natural fertilizers, biostimulators, natural
fungicides and natural insecticides, explains product manager Nico Harteveld, responsible for outdoor crops at the manufacturer Koppert Biological Systems. The company takes the lead in biological crop protection and is seeing increasing use of NatuGro in many countries. According to Harteveld, NatuGro ensures a rich and varied soil life and - more particularly - a stronger and more resilient crop. “It pays for itself, not only in greater yields. A stronger crop is also more resistant to diseases and pests, both above and below ground, and requires less chemical crop protection. That is particularly important in blueberries, a crop with a strong health claim.” Research with reduced doses of fertilizer (-20% generic) shows that growth rates remain the same. However, when comparing soil fertilization samples (analysed by an independent institute), it appears that more fertilizer substances are available to the plant in the soil in the NatuGro plot. Plant sap analyses show that the crop benefits from this: the leaves contain more nutrients compared with an untreated plot. Harteveld points out the systematic nature of the cultivation system: “We use analyses to measure the effects of the products and the measures taken. The growers consider that important, as they want to know how NatuGro influences their crops, and they can very precisely tailor the treatment to the needs of the crop.”
Twenty per cent less artificial fertilizer
The Dutch grower, Hay Geurts, from Horst aan de Maas has set up 25 ha. of his 70 ha. farm for blueberries. In 2014, he applied 20% less artificial fertilizer on a plot treated with NatuGro. “I had already measured greater productivity thanks to NatuGro. Now I wanted to see for myself that the cultivation system contributes to the better absorption of nutrients. It turned out to be true: at the end of August, the plants treated with NatuGro had higher levels of elements such as potassium, nitrogen, calcium, and manganese than the untreated crop. This was demonstrated by means of leaf analyses.” The fact that a crop is better able to absorb nutrients thanks to NatuGro is no minor matter for Hay Geurts. It is just as important as the extra yield. “After all, society and the market want growers to use less and less artificial fertilizer. NatuGro appears to be able to help with this. In 2015, I want to be able to apply 40% less artificial fertilizer.” Á
Koppert B.V., the Netherlands Veilingweg 14, NL-2651 BE Berkel en Rodenrijs P.O. Box 155, NL-2650 AD Berkel en Rodenrijs Tel. +31-(0)10-5 14 04 44 Fax +31-(0)10-5 11 52 03 www.koppert.com info@koppert.com
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