As potato growing expenses increase, it is important to maximise the efficiency of applied fertiliser and reduce potential tie-ups. One way to do this is to use a humic acid.

Nutrient availability is important for healthy plant growth in potato production. Nutrient imbalance – either too much or too little – prevents the plants reaching their full productive potential and can lead to crops being more susceptible to disease. The solution is to use soil testing to understand the soil’s nutrient reserves. With this information, fertiliser programs can be adjusted to better match fertiliser supply to crop demand.

Using humic acids

Humic acids are a concentrated mixture of organic materials, millions of years in the making. Humic acids can have beneficial effects on soil functions such as improved biological activity, nutrient activity, cation exchange capacity, pH buffering, carbon sequestration, water infiltration and plant biomass. This in turn improves soil health.

Introducing Trigger

When selecting a humic, it is critical to understand its source and any other additives. Trigger™ is specifically selected to contain a peak concentration of humic acids available from high-quality ore sources.

One of the most highly functional sources of humic acids on the market can be found in the product exclusive to Incitec Pivot Fertiliser. It is an engineered humic granule containing a high concentration of potent humic acids and consists of plant-active biostimulatory compounds that have a positive impact on both soil and plant health.

The active ingredients have been proven in the field for over 30 years, providing growers with potential improvements in return-on-investment.

Trigger is designed to provide the agronomic benefits of humic acids when combined with the fast-acting characteristics of applied fertilisers. It dissolves in-concert with applied fertilisers and may prevent phosphate tie-up with ions such as calcium, aluminium, or magnesium.

Its uniform size and shape, combined with its engineered low-dust attributes, make it a perfect blending partner for fertiliser blends. The tight 2.4-2.6 millimetre specification and consistent spherical shape integrate well, allowing for consistent coverage in both broadcast or in-furrow applications.

Trigger’s low-dust formulation virtually eliminates caking or bridging that can lead to application issues in the field. Its engineered aspects allow it to go where no dry humic products have been able to go before. Whether it is broadcast from an aeroplane or ground equipment, or precision applied through an airseeder, its high-strength, low-dust formulation can withstand the rigors of modern application equipment, allowing growers to focus on the crop, and not the clean up.

In a comprehensive three-year potato experiment in Idaho, results presented increased petiole P uptake and tuber size. Early commercial trials of the granule product have delivered similar results in Australia.

Incitec Pivot Fertilisers’ Trigger is the ideal solution to improve soil health, drive nutrient availability and assimilation and deliver the highest quality and yield in potatoes.

However, not all humates are the same. To understand the difference, please speak to your local Incitec Pivot Fertilisers representative. You can also arrange soil testing today through the Nutrient Advantage® laboratory for a complete picture of nutrients available to your crop and the balance of these nutrients.

Find out more

Please visit the Incitec Pivot Fertilisers website.