The phenology of fruit species, both deciduous and evergreen, confirms that the growth of the various parts of the plant follows a model that adjusts to the requirements of the species; thus, vegetative development is active at the beginning of spring, flowering and fruit set occur prior to the growth, fruit growth tends to coincide with the development of the shoots, while the roots normally show two periods of maximum expansion, one during spring and the second two to three months later; these moments, known as "peaks" of
growth, are periods in which the plant directs its provisions to favor both branching and exploration of the root system; this does not imply that
During the rest of the season, development stops, only it is less with respect to the focus that the plant puts on each of its organs.
Taking advantage of these periods to incorporate management directed at favoring this greater radical development will undoubtedly result in better management, with higher potential results and a greater benefit to the orchard in general. The root is the basis of everything, mainly productivity, so a good condition of it should be a primary objective of any agricultural management, however, thinking about improving the root should always go hand in hand with the condition of the soil. No matter what management is incorporated, if the soil is not offering an adequate environment to the orchard, the root system will be in good condition.
development of the underground organ of plants, it will not be possible to achieve the goal.
Soil can limit root development for several reasons: compaction problems, lack or poor quality of structure, poor microbiological activity, alterations in nutrient content, poor drainage, scarce or poor quality organic matter. Almost all of these problems usually appear simultaneously, since they are a consequence of each other: poor and poor organic matter affects both the soil structure and nutritional potential, the ability to sustain microbial life, favors compaction and limits drainage and water retention. The application of organic matter is one of the most recognized management methods regarding soil management, however, it is important to remember that there are differences between the available sources and therefore the final result in the field will never be the same. The most well-known and widespread practice involves the use of guano, which is applied to the soil many times without incorporation; this practice, very widespread and popular, is not usually the best decision, especially when fresh guano is used or without the appropriate biostabilization process. In many cases, applying guano is only a good alternative to using guano.
in adding nutrients to the soil (it could well be considered a fertilizer), many salts, heavy metals and bacteria, but given that the organic matter that really improves the structure and aeration of the soil is that which is transformed (or humified), and stabilized, there is little that could be expected, at least in the medium term, from the use of guano (which is a non-humified material), not to mention the logistical and environmental complications that its use often entails.
Today there are much more efficient and effective alternatives, thanks to which it is possible to apply stabilized and high-quality organic matter through irrigation; it is necessary to mention that some of these products are not easy to dilute, due to the fact that they are pure organic matter, mainly those that come formulated as powders, which often generates resistance in the applicators due to the time they require to dilute and inject the product without affecting the irrigation system.
irrigation.
TAVAN® offers an alternative that gives the producer all the advantages of using organic matter in irrigation without the problems of dilution or compatibility in mixtures so common in other formulations. This is OXI ROOTS®, a liquid formulation of high-quality organic matter, rich in humic substances and nutrients, as well as vitamins and other compounds with the capacity to actively biostimulate both the root and soil microorganisms. The differentiating factor of OXI ROOTS® with respect to other similar products is precisely the capacity to simultaneously improve the condition of the soil, increase microbiological activity and stimulate root function, all of which allows for a rapid effect and a comprehensive result. The excellent formulation of OXI ROOTS® allows its use in conjunction with products such as TAVAN ROOTS®, an organic product specially designed to increase and improve root development, which allows for balanced growth in both elongation and branching. This is a key aspect, since many rooting agents (especially hormonal ones) promote longer roots, but do not stimulate lateral branching.
OXI ROOTS® stands out for its rapid action, which can be seen in the attached graph.
After 32 days from the application, it is observed how the compaction of a clay soil decreases compared to the control, maintaining a greater number of points under 200 psi (evaluation carried out with a penetrometer at 15 depths and in 10 plants), a value that is considered the most adequate for the proper and maximum radical expansion. The treatment with OXI ROOTS® managed to reduce the compaction in the zone of maximum root growth by an average of 30%.
The effectiveness of OXI ROOTS® has been proven in soils in Chile, Spain and Peru, highlighting above all the speed of action and the simultaneous effect on the root and the soil itself; it is a user-friendly product that does not affect filters or irrigation pumps. For more information about OXI ROOTS® and TAVAN ROOTS®, as well as other complementary products and programs of use, visit us at www.tavan.cl, and request a visit from one of our technical areas.
