Temperatures higher than 32 degrees Celsius can also cause irreversible damage to the plant and its development, interfere with the pollination and flowering, contributing to a poor settling of the fruit, or if the fruit has already settled, to their spoilage or deformation. High temperatures also affect the fruit's colour, as the synthesis of lycopene, carotene and citrulline stops at around 29 degrees Celsius.
High daytime temperatures can also increase evaporation, resulting in a high transpiration rate and poor water absorption. This imbalance could lead to loss in the plant's vigour, and consequently, to an early falling of the leaves, which would expose the fruits to even more solar rays and heat, increasing the potential damage.
Kaki with symptoms of damaged peel
How can we protect the fruits' peel, increasingly more exposed to UV radiation and infrared light waves?
The firm Codiagro, from the Spanish province of Castellon, launches AGROWHITE®, a new concept in crop physioprotection with high-tech flow technology.
It is a crop physioprotector formulated as a concentrated suspension rich in calcium and magnesium, for foliar use and which prevents physiopathologies such as burns caused by high temperatures, as well as attacks from pests such as the Med fruit fly (Ceratitiscapitata), Olive fruit fly (Dacusoleae), Citrus green mosquito (Empoascasp.), pear psylla (Cacopsyllapyri) and Drosophila suzukii. The product reduces the number of fruits affected by these pests and can be a solution to reduce the use of pesticides.
How does AGROWHITE® work?
The product leaves a white film over the plant's surface or fruit treated which blocks damaging radiation. It also acts as a repellent against pests, but without causing any phytosanitary effects or leaving any kind of waste.
The product leaves a white film over the plant's surface or fruit treated which blocks damaging radiation. It also acts as a repellent against pests, but without causing any phytosanitary effects or leaving any kind of waste.
How is AGROWHITE® applied?
It is applied like any Flow product of foliar use without specific use indications. The usual dose is of 12-15 kg per hectare and treatment, repeating the process every 15 days. It is advised to use a non-ionic wetting agent.
It is applied like any Flow product of foliar use without specific use indications. The usual dose is of 12-15 kg per hectare and treatment, repeating the process every 15 days. It is advised to use a non-ionic wetting agent.
Tomato with clear symptoms of dehydration.
When and where AGROWHITE®
The product must be applied preventively when there are favourable circumstances for dehydration or when the first signs of the above-mentioned pests are detected. It is especially indicated for citrus, fruit trees, olives, kakis and other horticultural products. To prevent peel damage in kakis, two treatments must be applied, one in late June and another in late July.
Why AGROWHITE®?
Unlike other similar products, it does not contain aluminium silicate. It is calcium and only calcium, without carbonates, nitrates or chlorides.
Advantages of AGROWHITE over aluminium silicate-based products:
- It respects useful fauna; does not nourish the development of red spiders.
- It is not abrasive; does not produce micro-wounds which could lead to fungus infections.
- It is safe for the applicator; it is not classified as "Dangerous".
- Calcium prolongs post-harvest shelf life due to its peel stabilisation effect. It protects the peel without limiting the rate of photosynthesis or the fruit's Brix degrees.
- It is a low cost treatment compared to other products.
More information at: www.codiagro.com