Heading into the new season, Soft Fruit Agronomist, Neil Holmes, explains autumn Micromex applications
As autumn progresses in the UK, blueberry and stone fruit crops are building buds for next season. Fruiting blueberry buds can be distinguished as bulbous and round in comparison to slender vegetative buds which are usually found lower down a blueberry shoot. Similarly, stone fruit buds are also developing for next year’s crop.
Generative Blueberry Buds
These buds continue to require trace elements during their development but, at a time when drip feed is reduced or halted, providing adequate nutrition can be difficult. Boron is required for bud development and to reduce the impact of tip dieback in blueberries, a condition which is known to be worse in boron deficient bushes. A zinc application is often recommended before leaf fall to ensure optimal flower development the following spring. Copper is also an important element which is used to help lignify tissues in preparation for winter.
Cherry Buds
Micromex from OMEX contains all the above trace elements as well as iron, manganese and molybdenum. Micromex contains no nitrogen and so avoids promoting soft tissue growth that could be susceptible to frost damage and subsequent pathogen entry.
To determine if your crop is in need of a top up trace element foliar treatment, consider taking a SAP or tissue sample and where appropriate, a substrate sample, and compare the results to reference values.
For more information on autumn Micromex applications, contact your local OMEX technical advisor, here.