November 3, 2020 2:39 pm Published by KirstyH
chilli peppers

OMEX K41 is a specific mix of the major nutrients involved in maintaining the formation and healthy functioning of green leaf area, optimising the plant’s ability to make carbohydrates. This can result in better fruit set, sugar content, flavour, store quality, with delayed senescence and reduced impact of environmental stress.

OMEX K41 used on chilli peppers in Henan.

OMEX K41 is formulated to supply both potassium and magnesium to the plant without causing a nutritional imbalance.

Importance of Potassium

Form – taken up as cationic K+ Potassium is central to the production of carbohydrate and the movement of both water and nutrients through the plant.

Function – Potassium influences canopy expansion, water uptake and the set, size and sugar content of fruit. In addition, leaf Potassium levels can influence Nitrogen metabolism, plant structure and tolerance to drought. Low Potassium status can result in poor disease resistance.

Symptoms – often termed “Hidden Hunger” as plants fail to thrive, Potassium stress is typically seen on the leaf tips and margins of older leaves, which turn from green to yellow, eventually becoming brown and necrotic. Plants tend to be slower growing, lax and more prone to heat/water stress.

Significance – Potassium stress tends to affect plant development and yield building from flowering onwards, leading to poor fruit set with low dry matter and sugar production. Potassium is required in the largest amount of any nutrient and soil supply often fails to meet plant demand, especially during periods of heat stress. Potassium stress is often worse in alkaline soils or following applications of Magnesium-based lime or fertiliser.

Actions –  check soil status and correct if necessary. Time fertilisers to match plant demand. Foliar treatments from flowering onwards, or in response to symptoms can be very effective in maintaining plant growth and health

Chili k41

OMEX K41 used to improve this chilli pepper crop in Henan

Importance of Magnesium

Form – taken up as ionic Mg2+ Magnesium is essential for chlorophyll and sugar formation, playing a central role in maintaining green leaf area and photosynthesis. In addition, Magnesium is vital for activating enzymes that promote growth and stimulate immune system responses.

Function – Magnesium promotes canopy and fruit development, sugar formation and the uptake of major nutrients, particularly Nitrogen and Potassium. Low Magnesium status results in poor nutrient recovery, low growth rates, increased biotic stress and early senescence.

Symptoms – low Magnesium status affects older leaves first. The main veins on the leaf remain dark green, while the inter-veinal leaf area goes uniform pale green to yellow, eventually becoming brown and necrotic.

Significance – Magnesium stress can affect plant uptake of Nitrogen and Potassium, leading to early maturity and poor development of fruit, with low sugar content. In addition, plant defence and disease resistance can be restricted. Magnesium stress is often worse in compacted or alkaline soils, during hot, dry growing conditions and when crops are fed high levels of Nitrogen-Potassium fertiliser.

Actions –  check soil status and correct if necessary. Foliar treatment as soon as symptoms appear can be very effective. Routine foliar Magnesium can improve the later stages of yield building and quality forming.

OMEX K41 is a highly concentrated foliar fertilizer containing potassium, magnesium and sulphur.  K41 will aid in maintaining the formation and healthy functioning of green leaf area and optimise the plant’s ability to make carbohydrates. This will result in better fruit set, sugar content, flavour, store quality, with delayed senescence and reduced impact of environmental stress.

 

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