Total Foliar Fertilisation in pears allows you to maintain high production levels and eliminate the fertilizers to the ground

The technicians and producers of pears (in particular the Abate Fetel variety) have developed over time fertilization programs in order to sustain high production levels. Today the European nitrate directive requires a substantial reduction of the fertilizations to the ground, and therefore it is necessary to revise the whole system.

In this regard, the concept of Total Foliar Fertilization will play an important role. This technique was developed by BMS MN for the vineyards and is now successfully transferred to the production of pears.

Test results on Abate Fétel: facts & figures

In collaboration with the research institute "Fondazione per l'Agricoltura Fratelli Navarra" BMS MN has launched a pilot project for four years. The aim of the project is to help the farmers to comply with the EU Nitrates Directive, and maintain production levels.

At Futurpera, the researcher at the "Fondazione per l'Agricoltura Fratelli Navarra”, Dr. Denis Verzella, presented the results of the first 2 years of trials, with the BMS MN foliar fertilisation programs.
The trials were executed on the 'Abate Fétel' variety, and the following theses were compared:
A thesis with the "traditional fertilization" (not in compliance anymore with the EU directive) using +/- 1600 kg or lt of soil and foliar fertilizers.
2 different theses with the BMS MN foliar fertilisation programs:
   - NPF reducing the amount of fertilizer to the ground to only 300 kg or lt per ha
   - NTF with only foliar fertilisation and no soil fertilization, using only +/- 100 kg or lt per ha.

Good results

The results are satisfactory: the yields of the three theses were very similar.
Traditional fertilization 55.1 T/ha.
NPF (Partial Foliar Fertilisation) theses: 48.3 T/ha.
NTF (Total Foliar Fertilisation): 55.7 T/ha.

Throughout the year the leaf analyses of the three theses did not show any significant difference. Also the visual appearance of the plants were everywhere the same. We can affirm that the foliar fertilization programs are able maintain efficiently and economically the production levels of the pear tree.

Prevent iron chlorosis and use less products

Further specific tests for the control of iron deficiency on "Abate Fétel" have shown that only foliar fertilisation is able to prevent and treat iron chlorosis well, without having to apply the iron based products in an annoying and expensive way to the soil.

Futurpera

The second edition of Futurpera was a great success, with 105 exhibitors and a 30% increase in visitors. Also the BMS MN stand received a lot of interest during the 3 days of the fair.