Expert plant nutrition and soil management more important than ever

Advanced plant nutrition and smart soil management are becoming increasingly critical as population growth, climate change, and food security place global pressure on agriculture. This, according to Duane de Swardt, Technical Marketing Specialist at InteliGro, with 36 years’ experience in plant nutrition.

By 2050, the global population is expected to reach 10 billion, and farmers will need to produce more food on less land. Meanwhile, climate change is undermining productivity. This is where plant nutrition and soil management play a decisive role.

As a leading provider of integrated crop solutions, InteliGro knows that nutrition and soil management require specialist input. “There’s no room for guesswork,” says De Swardt. “It’s a precise science that must be managed holistically by experts, supported by research.”

“Just like athletes need a specific diet, plants need tailored nutrition for yield, quality and sustainability,” he adds. “Each element plays a role, so we address the full spectrum of plant needs.”

Specialised nutrition helps crops withstand climate pressure, boosts vigour and improves yield per hectare. Research shows that better nutrition not only increases productivity, but also enhances soil fertility over time.

Schalk Lombaard, fellow Technical Marketing Specialist in plant nutrition, agrees. “If we can improve yield per hectare through nutrition, we’re heading in the right direction. Biostimulants and precision feeding also support more sustainable farming which is essential for feeding a growing global population.”

BIOSTIMULANTS ARE CHANGING THE GAME

“The key lies in integration – using biostimulants and natural molecules that trigger plant responses,” says Lombaard.

A recent success story involves bioflavonoids used alongside a nutrition programme in soft citrus in Limpopo. “In some blocks, mandarins begin to colour up to two weeks earlier, which is a major advantage in the export market,” he explains.

“Integration is what makes the difference,” says De Swardt. “From soil and foliar nutrition to crop protection – everything needs to work as a system. That’s how we support export-quality crops with longer shelf life and minimal residues.”

‘PROGRAMME OVER PRODUCT’ DELIVERS RESULTS

InteliGro’s Plant Nutrition Specialists work with top suppliers to develop integrated nutrition programmes combining biostimulants, advanced fertiliser formulas and scientific insight.

One such solution is controlled-release fertiliser (CRF), which releases nutrients gradually and precisely, in line with plant demand.

“Everything starts with the soil,” says De Swardt. “We manage the rhizosphere around the roots to improve nutrient uptake. Tools like fertigation and micro-applications have transformed soil management.”

An example is addressing calcium deficiency in older macadamia orchards in the Lowveld, where ultrafine lime and gypsum granules with fulvic acid are used to deliver calcium to mature root zones. “You can’t move a tree, but you can manage the soil around it,” he says.

According to Lombaard, InteliGro’s access to a wide range of products, when used in the right programme, makes a real difference. “Add that to our team of agronomists and Crop Advisors – constantly trained in the latest research – and you’ve got a winning formula.”

CCA PROGRAMME BUILDS EXPERTISE

“Our Crop Advisors aren’t just sales reps,” says De Swardt. That’s why InteliGro developed the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) programme, to shift the focus from product selling to true expertise.

“The training programme keeps our Crop Advisors up to date on the latest research and technology. It covers everything from soil and seed to crop protection, soft skills and business management.”

Both De Swardt and Lombaard believe true expertise and innovation come from working alongside farmers. “That’s what makes our work worthwhile,” says De Swardt. “Every farm is different – but soil management is the key to sustainable production.”

Lombaard concludes: “InteliGro is now distributing a thiosulfate product range in South Africa that’s been used in the United States for 50 years. It’s opening new possibilities for local growers, and that’s what excites me about the future of our company and the agricultural sector of South Africa.”

For more information, visit https://www.inteligro.co.za.