TECHNICAL ARTICLE

Targeting Nutrition Pre-Flowering to Enhance Macadamia Yield

As the flowering season for macadamia ramps up across Australia, adequate tree nutrition is vital. The July to August period is a crucial time for building a foundation for yield by ensuring that trees receive the right nutrients.

If nutrition is not spot on during this time, there is a risk of big losses in yield potential before the nuts even form. This is why nutrients are crucial during the flowering period, as their provision can determine the success of the whole season.

At this crucial time, Manganese is essential, as it influences the availability of other nutrients like Calcium, Iron, Zinc and Copper. Manganese converts Nitrates into usable forms and also strengthens cell walls, leading to healthy growth and higher yields.

Boron is also an essential micronutrient as it is vital for pollen tube development.

A suitable fertiliser blend for this stage of growth needs to have a balance between Nitrogen and Potassium, good levels of Manganese, Sulphur, Calcium and Silicon, sufficient Phosphorus, and at least 3% Boron.

Macronutrients like Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus and Calcium are equally important as they support rapid reproductive and vegetative growth that is needed for flower initiation and development.

The timing of nutrient application is vital. Flower viability, early nut retention and pollination success are considerably improved when nutrients are applied before and during peak flowering. If this crucial and brief window is missed, it can limit the crop’s potential long before harvest.

Ecogrowth’s macadamia fertilisers have been specifically formulated to deliver plant-available, rock mineral–based nutrients that are naturally rich in trace elements. Ecogrowth granular fertiliser is enhanced with EcoAdvance^® premium biology to bring the soil to life and build strong, long-yielding orchards from the ground up.

By activating and increasing soil biology, a biological network is created in the soil that works for the crop. Rock minerals are low-leaching, slow-release forms of nutrients that become bioavailable when used in conjunction with our EcoAdvance^® premium biology. By accessing nutrients via soil biology, trees can be supplied with nutrients mined from the soil as required throughout the season, rather than relying on access to a large dump of soluble nutrients in a short window of availability. Sustained nutrient supply encourages more consistent size, quality and yield. In a nutshell, feed the soil to feed the plant.

Mac Blend

Our Mac Blend works with the soil’s natural processes to provide sustained-release nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Silicon and a broad range of trace elements. They contain rock minerals sourced from natural deposits that are granulated into a spreadable/drillable prill and enhanced with EcoAdvance^® premium biology. Nutritional balance is then achieved with added mineral nutrients. Rich in Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, Mac Blend also includes Calcium, Silicon, Carbon and fortified levels of trace elements, with all combined ingredients designed to create a biologically friendly environment.

Mac Blend works with the soil to provide nutrients for macadamia trees whilst encouraging symbiotic relationships between the tree and soil biology, which in turn increases crop yield and improves soil health.

Low P Mac Blend

Our Low P Mac Blend has been specifically formulated to be rich in humates and boron but designed to address situations where Phosphorus and Iron are imbalanced. The Low P Mac Blend is a complete fertiliser that is also enhanced with EcoAdvance^® premium biology.

Custom Blend

We also work with soil tests to provide a more customised approach to managing your soil nutrition. Just contact one of our friendly team members for more information on a Pre-Flower, Nut-Set or Accumulation Blend today. Learn more about our custom blends here.

Summary

Getting nutrition right during the flowering period pays off. Increased flower retention is ideal because this directly leads to higher yield potential. The more flowers you can keep, the more nuts you can harvest. You can also set yourself up for better nut uniformity and formation later in the season.

Contact your local Ecogrowth technical account manager if you have any questions or to discuss your requirements for your macadamia crop.