Growing Better Peppers
Improving Fruit Quality
Blossom End Rot, misshapen fruit and other common disorders are caused by poor cell division when the fruit is developing (when 0-4 mm in size). Following this stage the cells size, and as the size increases the problems become visible.Foliar calcium sprays can help as they increase cell wall thickness allowing the fruit to reach a larger size before the problem becomes visible. However the best approach is to combine calcium application with a growth stimulant to increase cell division. InCa contains both calcium and stimulants provided through Plant Impact’s CaT technology and can be applied when the fruit is small to reduce disorders such as blossom end rot.
Setting more Flowers
Flowering causes a major change in the hormone balance of the plant. If the plant encounters stress conditions during this time the plant will abort flowers. Plant Impact products InCa and Speedo Balance can prevent flower abortion by maintaining a favourable balance during flowering – this will result in higher set and retention of flowers.Holding and sizing more fruit
Fruit Drop - When fruit is developing the quality is adversely affected if conditions lead to rapid shoot growth. This rapid shoot development acts as a sink for food, and ‘robs’ the fruit of food leading to uneven sizing, and fruit abortion. InCa encourages the sugars made in the leaves to move to the fruit, and boosts root growth, which discourages shoot proliferation. This results in larger, more evenly sized fruit and can reduce fruit drop.Improving growth in temperature extremes
During cool or hot temperatures the crops ability to synthesise growth hormones declines disproportionately to give a slow-down in development, and often a quality reduction. Normal balance can be restored by application of InCa to give improved growth and quality during temperature extremes.Extending Shelf Life
Shelf life of fruit is controlled by ethylene, which encourages the breakdown of compounds that bind together the cells in the fruit, and weakens cell walls. Fruit shelf life is usually controlled post harvest by limiting ethylene production using chilling, or controlled atmosphere storage. By loading the fruits cells with calcium using InCa they become less susceptible to ethylene following harvest – thus increasing shelf-life and improving other quality aspects.Improving Roots
If plants are growing on salty or high sodium soils, or trees are subject to soil-borne disease such as Phytophera, Verticillium, Erwinia, and Rhizoctonia then it is likely that the crop is experiencing root decline. The root system can be reinvigorated using PiNT Calcium that will improve root growth and health, and suppress sodium uptake. Improving root health is also beneficial in reducing nematode attack.Improving Colour and Size
Colour and size of the fruit can be enhanced by application of InCa and Speedo Balance at 5 lts per ha 3 weeks prior to harvest. Speedo Balance will speed up the ripening process and increase sugar content of the fruitsRates and Recommendations for Peppers:
PiNT CalciumSoil application – Up to 300l/Ha/season split into applications of 10-30L.
Foliar application – 5-10L/Ha or 1% spray solution (spray to run off).
Timing: Soil -15-20 day intervals from 4 leaf stage. Foliar – spray after each flowering.
PiNT Potassium
Soil application – Up to 100l/Ha/season split into applications of 10-30L.
Foliar application – 5-10L/Ha or 1% spray solution (spray to run off).
Timing: 15-20 day intervals from second flowering.
Speedo Balance
Application Rate – 5 L/Ha.
Timing: To improve colour and size apply 3-4 weeks prior to harvest.
Speedo Saxon
Application Rate – Foliar – 2-3L/Ha in minimum 100 litres of water. Alternatively use a 0.5% spray solution and spray until run-off. Avoid spraying in direct sun.
Timing: 15 day intervals from 4 leaf stage to harvest.
InCa
Application Rate – 1L/Ha either as a foliar spray (minimum 100L water spray volume) or through drip irrigation or fertigation systems.
Timing: For temperature stress - apply at 20 day intervals during periods of extreme high and or low temperatures.
For fruit quality foliar apply 1 week after each flowering to reduce physiological disorders such as Blossom End Rot.
