Pawpaw crop requires optimum nutrients in order to ensure maximum yields. This should include the supply of both macronutrients and micronutrients as each of them play a great role in the performance of the crop.
Macronutrients are needed by the crop in relatively higher amounts and include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and calcium.
Micronutrients are also called trace elements and are required in smaller amounts. They include zinc, iron, copper and boron.
Nutritional deficiencies result due to unavailability of the respective nutrients to the crop and this causes significant losses if not corrected in time.
Fertilizer Application
Different stages of growth and development require different amounts and types of nutrients for excellent results.
Early growth stage
This is the period between seed sowing, germination and about 2-3 weeks after emergence.
To break seed dormancy and promote uniform germination, seeds should be soaked in OPTIMIZER 20ml/1l before planting, for approximately 6-12hours. It also helps the seedling overcome transplanting shock.
To promote rapid root development and balanced plant growth, the young plants should be sprayed with GOLDCHANCE SUPER START 50g/20l or LAVENDER Super Start 20ml/20l.
These foliar feeds supply adequate nutrient elements like Phosphorous that are needed for sufficient growth and development of the crop at this stage.
ZINC GOLD 10ml/20l enhances root development and stimulates growth too.
When planting, DAP is applied, which majorly provides Phosphorous. An important nutrient element at early growth stages of the crop.
Where the soils are low in organic matter, for example, on heavy clay and sandy soils, application of manure is suitable.
Vegetative growth stage
This is the stage when the crop is actively growing and begins making food in order to accumulate enough resources for use during flowering and fruit development.
Spray the crop with Lavender Super Growth 20ml/20l or GOLDCHANCE SUPER GROWTH 50g/20l. These are rich in Nitrogen among other elements like Magnesium, Iron etc. which promote vegetative growth.
Top dressing using CAN is essential. Other nitrogenous basal fertilizers like N.P.K 23.23.0, N.P.K 17.17.17 can be applied at this stage in order to ensure the crop gets sufficient amounts of Nitrogen among other elements.
Flowering & fruiting growth stages
During this time, the crop begins flowering and subsequently forming fruits and requires Potassium in much higher amounts than other elements.
It should be sprayed with GOLDCHANCE SUPER FLOWERS & FRUITS 50g/20l or DIMIPHITE 20ml/20l or GREENPHITE 40ml/20l or LEGENDARY 40ml/20l.
BIODISTINCTION XTRA, EURO GOLD, VITABOR GOLD and FERRARI GOLD also promote good fruit set and improve the general quality of the fruits, e.g. size, taste, colour, etc. Basal fertilizers like N.P.K 17.17.17 should also be applied.
Note;
- OPTIMIZER 10ml/20l can be sprayed at any stage of crop’s growth and development. It boosts its immunity, manages stress, and improves the general performance of the crop as well as supplying both macro and micro nutrient elements.
- Excess Nitrogen during flowering and fruiting stage results in superfluous foliage and does not nourish the fruits.
- Potassium is required throughout the growth season as it helps in maintaining the ionic balance and water status within the plant. Too much of it however restricts uptake of other elements.
- All basal fertilizers and manure should be mixed with HUMIPOWER at the rate of 1kg Humipower into 50kg fertilizer or 1 ton of manure. Humipower improves on the nutrient uptake by the crop, stimulates growth, improves soil structure, and adds organic matter to the soil among other benefits.
- Whenever conducting foliar sprays of the fertilizers, always mix the foliar feed with INTEGRA 3ml/20l. This is a sticker, spreader and penetrant which improves on the absorption of the fertilizer by the foliage of the crop.
- A repeat of foliar spray should be done on weekly basis while still monitoring the general performance of the crop.
- Fertilizer application should be done at the right time and at the right rate.
