Population growth requires more and more food and therefore more agricultural land to produce as much as possible. This increase in agricultural activity leads to an abuse of fertilisers and pesticides. This has led to a replacement of the biological functions of the soil and therefore an increased dependence on external inputs to maintain production levels.

If agricultural management has not been correct, the soil biota is negatively affected, either because the soil pH has been drastically changed, the C/N ratio is altered by the addition of manures and fertilisers, or the number of fungal hyphae is reduced by tillage etc.

Poor soil results in a less productive crop, with less capacity to defend itself against diseases and pests, which leads to an increasingly higher cycle of need for exogenous inputs, gradually increasing soil degradation.

ECONATUR COMMITMENT

At econatur we are very aware of the problems that affect the soil and we have directed much of our efforts to develop technologies and solutions that break this cycle of degradation and allow a long-term regeneration and sustainability of crops. As a result of these efforts our technical solution, SOIL, was born.

Econatur SOIL is a formula of natural origin whose main function is to regenerate agricultural soils that have suffered a high level of productive wear. Moreover, its versatility is exceptional and it fulfils not one but four beneficial objectives for any soil and crop.

Firstly, it is a highly effective fungicide. It has been shown to reduce by 98% the colony-forming units of phytopathogenic fungi of the genus Fusarium, Macrophomina, Phytopthora and Verticilium , among others. It has also been developed to control nematode populations such as Meloidogyne incognita, Pratylenhus sp and Ditylenchus sp, where we have observed up to 88% control of galls and a 90% reduction in vascular wilt.

Its second and third virtues are possibly the most important. Econatur Soil has selective and pre-probiotic capacity , as it protects and increases beneficial microbiota such as Thricoderma spp, Bacillus thuringiensis and other non-pathogenic Actinomycetes while increasing populations of beneficial saprophytic nematodes.

Finally, the formulation of our product gives it BIOSTIMULATING capacities in the early stages of cultivation: it activates root absorption properties and stimulates the primary metabolism of the crop.

Consequently, we transform the challenge of soil degradation into an environment suitable for growing high quality crops without compromising sustainability.

La entrada Soil, the basis of life se publicó primero en Econatur.

Furthermore, the growth in imports from third countries such as Morocco explains the worrying drop in Spanish and EU tomato production that has been experienced in recent years.

At Econatur, we focus our efforts on solving the different problems we encounter in the field. Our innovation department is constantly studying the different possibilities for improvement in each crop, making use of the 3 pillars that support our company: Biostimulation, Biocontrol and Advanced Crop Nutrition.

PRODUCTIVITY INCREASE THROUGH BIOSTIMULATION:

Tomato is one of the many crops where we have focused our efforts to develop and improve our solutions. We have carried out a large number of trials where we have pursued and achieved different objectives: on the one hand, to increase production by increasing both the number of flower buds and weight, and on the other hand, by acting on the productive period of the crop, extending its duration and homogenising the fruit. At the same time, we have managed to increase sugar concentrations with our solutions, resulting in a higher quality solution that is more competitive on the market.

PEST TRIALS

Our most recent lines of research focus on crop protection through the use of basic substances registered with Sanco such as Urtica spp. extract, which has insecticidal, acaricidal and fungicidal properties.

In these trials, we have managed to control pests such as moths with the same efficiency as other chemically synthesised products, while respecting beneficial auxiliary fauna for the crop such as nesidiocoris tenuis (which is a predator of tuta absoluta whitefly and thrips).

Finally, with our technical solutions we are able to create specific strategies that result in both a qualitative and quantitative increase in production, thus being able to adapt to the increasingly stringent conditions dictated by the field.

La entrada Production framework for Spanish industrial tomatoes se publicó primero en Econatur.

Furthermore, it is necessary to keep in mind that fertilisers are appropriate only when they are needed, in the right amounts, at the right time and in the right place.

In irrigation application, fertiliser should be applied on the surface of the soil or mulch, as rain or irrigation will move the fertiliser to the roots. Without irrigation or rain , fertiliser can be lost through evaporation into the atmosphere without any benefit to the plant. In foliar treatment, the quality of the application and the quality of the adjuvants used are key to rapid nutritional assimilation.

La entrada how is fertiliser applied? se publicó primero en Econatur.

Nitrogen (N) is a major element in plant nutrition, as it is the nutrient that makes up proteins, nucleic acids, amino acids and chlorophyll. Nitrogen (N) is therefore linked to the vegetative growth of plants.

According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) nitrogen fertilisers account for almost 59% of the total world consumption of mineral fertilisers. The main nitrogen fertilisers used in agriculture are: ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, MAP, DAP and urea. Urea is one of the most widely used nutrients in the world, however, it is also the nutrient that can have the highest nitrogen (N) losses before being absorbed by the crop. In turn, this and other sources of N can lead to contamination of aquifers and can be counterproductive when applied in excess.

La entrada what are the most commonly used fertilisers in agriculture? se publicó primero en Econatur.