Entries by arvensisagro

New fertiliser and biostimulant application technologies

Use of drones in precision agriculture

21st century agriculture is incorporating new technologies to meet the challenges ahead.

The use of drones enables precision monitoring and management of plantations as well as management decisions from sowing to harvesting.

The challenges of 21st century agriculture

Agriculture is the basic and fundamental pillar of human nutrition and of Civilization itself. It is also an irreplaceable source of raw materials, both present and future (Bioenergy).

‘At least once in a lifetime we will need a lawyer, a doctor or an architect, but three times a day throughout our whole lives we need a Farmer’.

It is thus clear that the challenges of Agriculture for the next century are, in fact, the fundamental challenges that Humanity must face in order to ensure its own future and viability.

The FAO identifies as the main challenges the growth of the world population, the shortage in the availability of labour and arable land, and the fulfilment of environmental requirements for sustainability and food security.

All of which leads agriculture to adopt more efficient and sustainable production methods, including the latest available robotization technologies such as the use of drones.

New advances and improved performance

Technology has advanced in the last few years, and nowadays there is equipment capable of lifting a greater load, with elements that provide a great versatility of uses (hyperspectral cameras, spraying systems for liquid chemical products and the application of solid products, etc.).

On the other hand, the new generations of batteries also offer greater autonomy, allowing the monitoring of large areas with a single flight plan.

Drones, due to their flexibility, capacity and affordable price, have become the most popular aerial platform and the one most widely used in technified farms.

Drones allow continuous monitoring of the crop by capturing images throughout its development. Data analysis, through integrated management systems, allows management decisions to be made from sowing to harvesting.

Early detection of anomalies allows early reaction and appropriate measures to be taken in the right time.

The analysis of seasonal data allows the measurement of spatial and temporal variability both within the plot and between plots of the same plantation.

All this information allows plantations to establish differentiated management areas based on knowledge of the crop itself, its rotations, soil type, yield data and irrigation management, allowing the reduction of production costs and the optimization of inputs such as fertilizers and phytosanitary products.

Some of the main applications of the use of drones in agriculture to highlight are:   

– Characterisation of spatial variability in crop water status.

– Characterisation of the spatial variability of the soil.

– Characterisation of the phenotypic response of the crop.

– Characterisation of the vegetative state of the crop.

– Construction of 3D soil models.

– High precision applications (management of differentiated zones).

– Safety in agricultural operations.

– Early detection of pests and diseases.

– Plant counting to know the germination potential.

– Prescription maps for sowing doses, precision irrigation and variable fertilisation.

 

From Arvensis Agro we have developed a complete range of advanced biostimulants that are adapted to the new technologies of application by drone, among them are Biofertilizers based on microorganisms (FERTTYBYO, MYCROTTRON), Defense Promoters (LIGNOMIX, GLOPPER), Biostimulants (QUICELUM, SUGAR TRANSFER) and Advanced Nutrition products (TRIAMIN PLUS, RHIZUM, CRIPTHUM). 

Past Tuesday 5th March 2024 a technical demonstration day for the use of drones took place at La Clorofilla farm in Mercato Saraceno (Forlì-Cesena), Italy.

Organised by Agrigeodron together with 2A ARVENSIS Italia and KOPPERT Italia, the theme of the meeting was ‘Smart technology for the agriculture of the future’.

A practical demonstration of the use of drones to distribute Biostimulants and Auxiliary Fauna was attended by more than thirty technicians and farmers from major reference plantations.

Quicelum assay in olive tree

At Arvensis, we have dedicated years to innovation and the development of advanced formulas that allow plants to express their maximum potential. Within our product portfolio, one of the most prominent and long-established biostimulants is QUICELUM, a powerful plant development enhancer.

This agronomic trial focuses on the benefits and applications of QUICELUM, highlighting how this product not only improves crop yields, but also contributes significantly to field care and maximising benefits for farmers.

What is Quicelum?

QUICELUM is a bioactivator and stimulator of genetic potential, formulated on the basis of seaweed and seed extracts that promotes the hormonal balance of crops. It is a totally organic product of vegetable origin, with 0% residue.

QUICELUM maximises the efficiency of the physiological processes that regulate the absorption and translocation of nutrients, the use of solar energy in the formation of photosynthates, the movement of precursors from the source organs to the sink organs, etc. It also brings growth, sprouting, flowering, fruit set and ripening to their peak. QUICELUM revitalises the olive tree and increases the efficiency of photosynthetic activity.

QUICELUM is a non-hormonal biostimulator that promotes the plant to synthesise and store a wide and complete range of hormones, which will allow the genes to express themselves quickly and efficiently at each moment. In this way, each stage (flowering, fruit set, filling, etc.) can develop at the required time according to the stimuli and inputs. This allows each stage to be more complete and homogeneous in the tree.

Quicelum

Assay data

Crop

Super-intensive olive grove on loam and clay soil

Location

124 hectares of the Arbosana variety, located near Ervidel

Date

4th October

Surface

50 Ha treated

70 Ha control

Dose

QUICELUM at a dose of 1.5 l/1000 l of water and FORTIK SOLID at 3 kg/1000 l of water.

Important parameters such as fat content, fat/dry matter ratio, moisture and variability of olive size and weight will be analysed. The final objective of this trial is to quantify the economic impact of QUICELUM application on olive oil revenue per hectare.

From the beginning to the end of the trial, there were no changes in the work routine on the farm.

Experimental procedure

The Quicelum trial was divided into two plots, one on clay soil and one on loam soil. Fortik Solid, a potassium and sulphur-based product, as well as a fungicide and an insecticide, were applied on all plots.

Before applying the products, 100 olives taken at random from all the plots were weighed and measured. Throughout the trial, the olives were weighed and analysed for fat, fat/dry matter and moisture content. The same random sample collection process was always used to maintain the reliability of the trial.

At the end, the samples were collected plot by plot and transported separately to the mill. The quantity in kg of olives and kg of oil was then recorded.

Results and analysis

For a trial to be as useful as possible, we must always link the results to the reality of the field, of the olive industry and of the economic profitability of a business activity.

An increase in the value of the fat yield in our crop does not always mean that we have more oil in our trees; sometimes, it can only mean that the olives lose water despite not storing more oil; this, for example, occurs in a state of over-ripeness in which freshness, aromas, flavours, etc. have been lost.

On the other hand, the weight of our olives can increase, without necessarily increasing the amount of oil we take to the mill. For example, it is common that after a September storm the olives swell with water, which will increase the weight, but the yield will decrease as the amount of oil inside the olive will be the same as before the rain.

QUICELUM offers a complete solution that adapts to the field:

It improves flowering and fruit set, which translates into an increase in the number of olives per tree.
It favours cell multiplication and thickening, which leads to an increase in the weight of the olives.
By improving photosynthetic efficiency, it boosts the biosynthesis of fatty acids, thereby increasing fat yield.

Figure 1 The amount of oil produced in 100 olives.

Figure 1 shows the quantity of oil produced in 100 olives. In the QUICELUM treatment, on both types of soil (loam and clay), the quantity of oil in the fruit increased during the entire evaluation period (between 17 October and 14 November). In contrast, in the control treatment, the quantity of oil in the fruit increased during only part of the evaluation period (between 17 October and the first days of October).

Figure 2 Weight in grams of 100 random olives.

Figure 2 shows that, with reference to the measurement on 14 November, QUICELUM increased the weight of the olives by 18.9% compared with the control in loam soil and by 14% in clay soil. The weight of the olives in the loam soil was greater than in the clay soil.

Figure 3 Olive production (Kg/ha)

Olive production increased dramatically with the application of QUICELUM (Figure 3). QUICELUM increased olive yield by 1690 kg/ha on loam soil and 517 kg/ha on clay soil: 14.1% increase on loam soil and 3.9% increase on clay soil.

Figure 4 Oil production (Kg/ha).

QUICELUM increased oil yield through higher olive production and higher fat yield: fat yield with QUICELUM was 16% (loam) and 16.1% (clay) compared to 15.8% and 15.7% for control.

Without QUICELUM application, the differences between soil types were remarkable, predictably due to a higher water and nutrient storage efficiency of the clay soil: in clay soil, olive yield was 10.1% higher than in loam soil (data for controls); oil yield was 9.4% higher in clay soil.

Sugar Transfer assay in strawberries

From Arvensis we seek to make the most of what plants give us to increase the final quality of the harvest. In this SUGAR TRANSFER trial we are going to see how to increase the organoleptic characteristics of your crop.

This is a strawberry trial, but it is also a very popular product for grapes, as the increase of brix degrees and colour is highly valued, in order to obtain a high quality product.

How can Sugar Transfer help you?

SUGAR TRANSFER is a product that translocates sugars through the photosynthesis process from the production centres (leaves) to the fruit during the development and ripening phase.

SUGAR TRANSFER increases the sugar content of the fruits, without modifying the physiology of the plants, and being a product of natural origin and catalogued as ecological, it does not alter the evolution of the plants, but rather provides benefits by extending their life.

The main characteristics of SUGAR TRANSFER:

a) Ideal for crops that need to increase sugar content.

b) Advancement in ripening, due to the fact that the fruit acquires the necessary sugar content earlier.

c) Improves the natural colouring of the fruit.

(d) Unification in ripening.

(e) Improvement of size.

Sugar Transfer

Assay data

Crop Strawberry variety “Ventana”
Location In a so-called ‘big-tube’ greenhouse, Huelva (España)
Date 25th November
Surface

The effective area was 2.4 m2 and the total trial area was 86.4 m2 .

The total crop density is 55 000 plants/ha.

Dose Foliar treatment of SUGAR TRANSFER at the dose of 2.5 L/Ha

In this test, Brix degrees were measured using the Refractometric system, which is the most suitable method for measuring the sugar and soluble solids content in fruit. It is based on the degrees of inclination of a beam of light when it passes through a liquid, the more sugar and soluble solids it contains, the greater the inclination, and vice versa, the less inclination the lower the sugar and soluble solids content.

Samples were taken from each of the plants (both treated and untreated), and the ºBrix of the juice obtained by squeezing several strawberries from each of the plants was determined, so that from each plant we had a measurement; then the average of the measurements of each row of plants was calculated and finally the final average was calculated for each of the applications.

Results and analysis

To check the effectiveness of the product, a control was established by comparing the results obtained after applying the product with those obtained in a test using only water. A single sampling was carried out on 21 January.

 

CONTROL

SUGAR TRANSFER

Sugars (ºBrix)

5,1

8,98

5,22

9,14

5,2

9,1

5,11

8,99

5,12

9,02

Average

5,16

9,06

Graph 1 shows the graph showing the increase in sugars (ºBrix) of the strawberries treated with SUGAR TRANSFER, compared to the controls.

Graph 1 showing the brix averages

Conclusions

In the data obtained from the test, a significant increase in the sugar content of all the samples of fruit treated with SUGAR TRANSFER was observed with respect to the controls, which, as can be seen in the graph, reached a difference of almost 75%.

The fact of observing an increase in the sugar content of the fruit treated with SUGAR TRANSFER is the cause of early ripening, which makes it possible to bring forward the harvest, reaching earlier the optimum concentration of sugars that the fruit needs to be marketed.

Gelyflow Ca assay in roses

The production of quality roses for export is a task that requires a high level of technification, efficiency and quality to meet the expectations of the most competitive international markets. The floriculture industry, in its quest to remain at the forefront, is constantly looking for innovations to improve production without compromising sustainable development and ecological balance.

In this context, Arvensis is positioned as a strategic ally, offering effective and environmentally friendly alternatives. These solutions, when applied at the right time, allow plants to express their full potential, ensuring continuous and healthy development.

The objective of the studies presented in this trial is to evaluate the calcium concentration in rose plants through the application of GELYFLOW Ca. For this purpose, two trials were carried out in Ecuador on different rose varieties. The results obtained demonstrate the efficacy of GELYFLOW Ca in maintaining adequate levels of calcium in the plant over time, thus contributing to the production of high quality roses that meet the demands of the international market.

When should I use Gelyflow Ca?

Calcium is an essential nutrient for plants, playing a crucial role in the stability of cell walls and membranes. In roses, calcium deficiency, especially in meristematic tissue, can have serious consequences. Lack of calcium weakens cell walls, making cells more susceptible to rupture and eventually leading to tissue death. This deficiency is not always due to low uptake or availability of calcium in the soil, but is often the result of inadequate transport through the plant’s vascular passages. In addition, calcium deficient plants are more susceptible to the entry of fungi such as botrytis.

The use of GELYFLOW Ca in rose cultivation is crucial to prevent the problems associated with calcium deficiency. By ensuring an adequate and continuous supply of this nutrient, GELYFLOW Ca helps maintain the structural integrity of the cells, promoting healthy and vigorous rose growth. This results in higher quality and more resistant flowers, capable of meeting the demands of the international market.

GELYFLOW-Ca is a concentrated suspension that allows a large amount of calcium to be provided using very small volumes, resulting in significant savings in transport and container handling. This product is especially recommended for situations where small volumes of broth are used, thus facilitating efficient application. GELYFLOW Ca can be administered both foliar and to the soil, offering flexibility in its use according to the specific needs of the crop.

Assay 1 data

Crop Rosal Artika
Location Ecuador
Date Applications were started on 23 March 2022, 2 drench applications were made at an interval of 15 days, and evaluated 15 days after the 2nd application.
Surface 10 camas
Dose GELYFLOW Ca 1,5 litres/ha, 75cc/10 camas of GelyFlow Ca

Results and analysis of assay 1

Table 1 Results in ppm calcium of control and treated plants.

The results obtained demonstrate conclusively the efficacy of GELYFLOW Ca in maintaining adequate levels of calcium in the rose plants. The graph of calcium measurements in the tender peduncles reveals a clear superiority of the GELYFLOW Ca treatment compared to the conventional farm treatment.

After two applications of GELYFLOW Ca via drench, the difference in calcium concentrations at 30 days is significant, exceeding 50%. Specifically, while the conventional treatment shows a concentration of 55 ppm calcium per month, the GELYFLOW Ca treatment reaches 120 ppm, which is above the expected upper range.

These results indicate that GELYFLOW Ca not only improves calcium uptake and transport within the plant, but also ensures a more uniform and sustainable distribution of the nutrient. This is crucial for maintaining cell integrity and promoting healthy and vigorous growth in roses, which is essential to meet the quality standards demanded in the international flower market.

Graph of assay 1

Assay 2 data

Crop Rosal Mondial y novia
Location Pichincha (Ecuador)
Date Applications started on 14 April 2021, 3 drench applications were made.
Surface 15 camas
Dose GELYFLOW Ca 1cc/litre

Results and analysis of assay 2

Table 2 Results in ppm calcium for control and treated plants.

The graph below shows calcium measurements in two rose varieties, comparing the conventional farm treatment with the GELYFLOW Ca treatment. The light bars represent the farm treatment, while the dark bars correspond to the GELYFLOW Ca treatment.

After one month of GELYFLOW Ca application via drench, a significant difference in calcium concentrations was observed, being higher than 50%.

Graph 2 of assay 2 comparing the two varieties.

Conclusions

The results obtained in both trials highlight the effectiveness of GELYFLOW Ca in significantly increasing calcium levels in rose plants. Both in the second study, where different rose varieties were evaluated, and in the first study, where the effect on tender peduncles was analysed, a considerable improvement was observed after application of GELYFLOW Ca via drench.

The graphs clearly show that the difference in calcium concentrations between the conventional treatment and the GELYFLOW Ca treatment was greater than 50% after one month of application. These results are indicative of the ability of GELYFLOW Ca to enhance calcium uptake and transport in plants, which contributes to healthier and more vigorous growth of roses.