Applying micronutrient fertilisers either as foliar sprays or through irrigation systems in Coffee plantations can then “fine tune” the coffee tree’s needs, for example, Boron and Calcium need to be at certain levels before the tree flowers so that a strong healthy bean is formed. Boron availability from soil applied fertilisers is problematic, particularly if it is dependant on rainfall. However Orbit or Indiplex Boron and Nutrical can be injected into the irrigation system and watered onto the tree’s root zone for immediate uptake. This should be undertaken once a week in the lead up to flowering.

Tea does not readily absorb Zinc from the soil and its deficiency is not readily corrected by a ground application of zinc compound. Foliar application with Indiplex or Orbit Zinc is very effective.

Copper is important for tea. It is an essential constituent of the enzyme polyphenol oxidase, which is vital for fermentation processing. Polyphenol oxidation is the enzyme polyphenol oxidase, being activated by oxygen exposure.

Tea polyphenols react with other compounds to create theaflavins; these theaflavins go through further chemical reactions, creating thearubigins. It is these components of tea that are responsible for the specific, desired flavour and colour characteristics of black tea. Applications of IndiPlex or Orbit Copper in the period prior to plucking can ensure elevated levels of copper in the leaves.

Sugar cane crops can only be effectively fertilised at early growth stages due to the practical implications of applying fertiliser. However, there is an increasing area of irrigated crops through which Fusion NPK soluble fertilisers can be applied which leads to higher yields and more efficient fertiliser use. Development work is underway in combining soil surfactants such as Magnum 44 with micronutrients to further enhance efficiency of water use and fertiliser uptake.