The period of resumption of spring vegetation of winter cereals is extremely important in the ontogeny of this group of crops. The size of the future yield depends on how successfully plants survived the winter dormancy period. The autumn 2015 weather over practically the whole of Ukraine was unfavorable in moisture and temperature regime, which was the main reason for «under-sowing» of areas. On a significant part of sown areas, because of moisture deficit, seedlings appeared later than the optimal dates and therefore entered winter weakened with a poorly developed root system. The winter weather with long thaws will also add problems, since the sum of active temperatures is usually insufficient for full growth and development of winter crops, nutrient uptake from cold soil will be minimal and plants will mainly use nutrients accumulated earlier. Preliminary weather forecasts for spring 2016 promise quite prolonged, cool and wet weather.

What problems do these factors bring to the producer?

  1. Unfavorable weather conditions do not let the plant provide the necessary level of mineral nutrition, and hence the formation of a high-yielding biocenosis. Traditional nitrogen feedings are not enough in such conditions. It is important that plants are sufficiently supplied with other important nutrients, in particular phosphorus and potassium. If supplying plants with available potassium may present no difficulties, at least in theory, since potassium is more mobile in the soil, the situation with phosphorus looks much more complicated. Phosphorus is of great importance for accelerating the growth and development of the root system, the plant's main organ that supplies it with nutrients and water. However, because of limited uptake of this element from cold soil owing to the specifics of its mobility, feeding with traditional fertilizers is practically impossible. Low soil temperature (<10 °C) leads to phosphorus shortage for plants even when its content in the soil is high. In these conditions the viscosity of the soil solution rises and diffusion and uptake of phosphorus by the root system fall.

  2. An insufficient level of mineral nutrition significantly reduces the protective functions of plants and they become extremely vulnerable to disease, first of all of fungal nature.

All this can lead to large losses in both the volume and quality of the yield. The question arises: «Is there a way to help the plant with phosphorus and potassium supply and at the same time strengthen plant immunity to disease agents?» Yes, such a way exists: using a product that contains phosphorus in the form of phosphite and potassium for foliar application.

What does this give?

To solve the problems described above, ECOORGANIC offers the special fertilizer «ECOLINE PHOSPHITE K». The product contains 53% phosphorus in phosphite form and 35% potassium, and is enriched with boron (1.4%).

  1. Plant uptake of phosphorus as phosphite PO3 is more intensive than of phosphates PO4. When applied to the leaf, phosphorus in phosphite form is absorbed to the extent of 65–75% in just 1 day. Uptake of phosphorus from phosphate takes no less than 5 days, and even over this long period the uptake level will be no more than 20% of the amount applied.
  2. The action of phosphites as fungicides and biostimulants is built on inducing plant resistance to biotic stress factors (which cause disease) and abiotic ones (for example, low or high temperature), through the synthesis of phytoalexins, which are the guarantee of active immunity. Phytoalexins are a group of organic substances of protein nature produced by the plant in response to pathogen waste products entering the cell or to stress. These compounds are a component of the plant's natural immune mechanism.
  3. It has been proved that phosphites in the root system directly inhibit the development of microorganisms of the genus Phytophthora and also stimulate the plant's own protective mechanisms. In addition, phosphites suppress and destroy such diseases as downy mildew, scab, bacteriosis, mildew and others. Phosphites have an insignificant effect on the development of most soil fungi, which makes their use ecological and safe for the environment. The stability of phosphites in the plant is a key factor in their effectiveness in controlling diseases over quite a long period of time.
  4. With foliar application phosphites have a deeper effect than only a fungicidal one. Phosphorus from phosphite is used in plant metabolism, which shows in stronger root system growth, uptake of other mineral nutrients, and synthesis of phosphorus-containing biologically active substances, fatty acids, ATP and nucleic acids. They raise yield and the marketable look of fruits and the content of dry matter, carotenoids and anthocyanins. Research on the effect of phosphites on plants when applied to the foliage has been carried out for a long time. The results of this research have been presented by many scientists, in particular C.J.Lovatt, R.L. Mikkelsen, A.E.McDonald, B.R.Grant, W.C.Plaxton, H.Forster, J.E.Adaskaveg, D.H.Kim, M.E. Stanghellini and others.
  5. The high potassium content in the fertilizer ensures a substantial improvement in plant nutrition with this element, whose role in the early stages of plant growth and development is extremely important. Potassium regulates transpiration and respiration in the plant, so with sufficient potassium turgor is maintained and water losses under moisture shortage are reduced. Potassium promotes the growth of xylem vascular bundles, thus improving the ability to transport and accumulate carbohydrates, and raises plant resistance to stress under drought and high and low temperatures.

What are the advantages of the fertilizer «ECOLINE PHOSPHITE K»?

  1. The highest content of phosphorus (in phosphite form) and potassium among all similar products.
  2. Stimulates the plant's synthesis of phytoalexins, natural defenders of immunity.
  3. Shows fungicidal action on a wide range of pathogens: causative agents of powdery mildew, cereal rust, fusarium, late blight, downy mildew and others.
  4. Substantially raises plant resistance to fungal and bacterial infections.
  5. Strengthens root system growth.
  6. Promotes a recovery effect on the plant after stress factors (drought, frost, pesticide application, etc.).
  7. Raises the dry matter content in the marketable part of the crop of fruit and vegetable crops
  8. Raises yield. Improves harvest quality
  9. Environmentally safe, with no toxic effect on the environment
  10. When used together, improves the effectiveness of fungicides

List of sources used:

  • Banko T.J., Hong C.X. (2001) Evaluation of phosphite as an alternative phosphorus nutrient and control for Phytophthora disease. Proc Southern Nursery Assoc Res Conf 46: 272-275
  • Forster H., Adaskaveg J.E., Kim D.H., Stanghellini M.E. (1998) Effect of phosphite on tomato and pepper plants and on susceptibility of peppers to Phytophthora root and crown rot in hydroponic culture. Plant Dis 82: 1165-1170
  • McDonald A.E., Grant B.R., Plaxton W.C. (2001) Phosphite (phosphorous acid): Its relevance in the environment and agriculture, and influence on plant phosphate starvation response. J Plant Nutr 24: 1505-1519
  • Lovatt C.J. (1990) Foliar phosphorus fertilization of citrus by foliar application of phosphite. In: Citrus Research Advisory Committee (eds) Summary of citrus research. University of California, Riverside, Cal, USA: pp 25-26
  • Lovatt C.J. (1998) Managing yield with foliar fertilization. Calif Citrograph 84: 8-13
  • Phosphite Fertilizers: What Are They? Can You Use Them? What Can They Do? By C.J. Lovatt and R.L. Mikkelsen (Better Crops/Vol. 90 (2006, No. 4))