It’s start with a detailed understanding of your soil, supported by precise chemical analyses and thoughtful nutritional suggestions tailored to each crop.
Understanding your soil
Effective farming begins with understanding the soil’s characteristics and potential. Gone are the days when uniform field treatment could yield consistent results.
Variations in soil depth, clay content, water-holding capacity, and landscape position significantly affect crop performance. This holds true for both dryland and irrigated soils.
Dryland soils: In regions like the central Free State, water table soils exhibit notable differences in depth and potential. However, all regions display soil variations that impact farming outcomes. Recognising these differences is crucial for optimising soil use.
Irrigated soils: Here, factors such as soil depth, clay content, and drainage are critical. Additionally, water quality can severely influence the success of irrigation. Access to high-quality soil can be undermined by poor water quality, affecting the long-term viability of irrigation systems.
Comprehensive soil surveys
Kynoch provides detailed soil surveys to offer a complete picture. Their reports include farm maps, soil forms in the surveyed areas, effective soil depths, plant-available water capacities, wetness indices, cultivation depths and strategies, soil compaction risks, and high-risk zones for crop cultivation.
These comprehensive maps and reports are available electronically or as a neatly bound book, allowing producers to manage risks, optimise soil usage, and set realistic expectations for their crop yields.
Chemical sampling and analysis
Kynoch offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for chemical sampling and analysis. These can be standard ‘farmer samples’ or detailed grid samples ranging from 0,25ha to 4ha grids.
Analyses are conducted at local, independent laboratories using South African norm-based extraction methods, ensuring accurate and relevant results. This data allows Kynoch to make precise fertilisation recommendations tailored to the soil’s unique characteristics.\
Standard and additional analyses
Standard soil analyses include pH (KCl), exchangeable acidity, acid saturation, Phosphate-Bray 1, cations (potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) calculations.
Additional analyses for elements like sulphur, boron and other micronutrients (zinc, manganese, iron, copper) are also available. Comprehensive subsoil analysis can also be performed, providing detailed insight.
After laboratory analysis, Kynoch prepares various high-quality chemical maps, including correction maps. These maps are available electronically or as a bound book and form the basis for informed decisions on soil and crop management.
Nutritional suggestions and stress management
Based on detailed soil chemical and physical information and specific crop requirements, Kynoch agriculturalists develop tailored plant nutrition solutions. These include soil corrections, nutrient adjustments, and liming recommendations.
Decisions are made regarding starter fertiliser applications and top dressing, with the best options from Kynoch’s product range or custom blends.
The goal is to establish plants with extensive root systems, enhancing root-soil contact for better water and nutrient uptake. Improved internal hormone production within the plant ensures robust growth and health.
Post-emergence management focuses on maintaining plant health and achieving optimal yields. Biostimulants, such as Kynoch’s KynoKelp, KynoFulvate, and Ultra-nutrients, play a vital role in managing climatic risks and enhancing crop resilience.
Conclusion
Kynoch Fertilizer is dedicated to supporting producers with innovative solutions and comprehensive services. By understanding and optimising soil resources, conducting precise chemical analyses, and providing tailored nutritional suggestions, Kynoch ensures that producers can achieve the best possible outcomes for their crops.
For more info, visit kynoch.co.za.
