The initial phase of strawberry growth is critical and sets the stage for optimal crop production and maximum yield potential. Providing the crop with the most favorable nutrition program makes all the difference in forming a strong root system which will help produce more crowns and better strawberries in the future. There are two essential nutrients for successful plant establishment and early strawberry growth that we will discuss in the following paragraphs; nitrogen and calcium.
Nitrogen
Calcium
Not all nitrogen sources are the same. Calcium nitrate is a source of nitrogen and calcium that encourages root development. Research shows that calcium nitrate has a significantly better effect on root development than ammonium nitrate. A consistent supply of calcium nitrate is directly related to early growth and the overall strength and health of a strawberry crop.
ammonium nitrate + other Ca source (left); YaraLiva CN-9 treatment (right)
With fully soluble calcium and nitrate-nitrogen, YaraLiva® Calcium Nitrate products guarantee these critical nutrients are quickly and efficiently available to crops.
Plants treated with YaraLiva fertilizers are naturally healthier and less sensitive to stress during early growth. Then, critically, in the build-up to harvest, YaraLiva calcium nitrate fertilizers improve the size, strength and appearance of the fruit. (Learn more about these products: YaraLiva® CAN-17™, YaraLiva® CALCINIT™, and YaraLiva® CN-9®).
Soluble calcium is required to meet strawberry crop demand and although there is usually a sufficient supply of calcium in our soils, not all of it is readily available for plant use.
Highly soluble calcium is present in YaraLiva calcium nitrate, immediately available for plant uptake, unlike other more insoluble forms. Watch the video below to learn more about calcium availability for strawberry plants.
Farmers traditionally fertilize fruit and vegetable crops with UAN-32. However, UAN does not provide soluble calcium, essential for root and shoot growth and for good soil structure, and for overall plant growth, even under environmental stress conditions. Watch video.
Yara has recently launched a new product, YaraTera CANMIX, that is a line of soil-applied liquid micronutrients specially formulated for outstanding tank compatibility with YaraLiva liquid calcium nitrate fertilizers. YaraTera CANMIX, when combined with YaraLiva calcium nitrate, increases nutrient availability to the plant, encouraging early root production and successful crop establishment of strawberries.
Reach out to your local Yara Agronomist to learn more about using YaraTera CANMIX for strawberry establishment and how to best utilize Yara products in your comprehensive nutrition program.
Use Yara's CheckIT App from your mobile phone to assess the status of your strawberry crop.