Page 6 - Vol.37-No.2

CROP PROTECTION

FOLIAR FEEDING THE OMEX WAY

– IT’S TIME FOR TEA!

disease attack. Mature tea bushes ben- where soil water deficits are most pro-
efit from Omex Bio 20 through enhanced nounced.
plant health and vigour translating into Omex Seastar F – Seastar F is a nat-
higher yields of better quality leaf. As a
foliar-applied spray Omex Bio 20 is ef- ural seaweed-derived growth stimula-
DR. TERRY MABBETT fective during the wet season when soils tion product containing a range of phys-
are water-logged and root absorption is iologically active compounds including
Tea (Camellia sinensis) is native to a amino acids and plant hormones. Foliar
large area of East Asia but as a crop tea inhibited. applications assist in breaking bud dor-
is grown throughout the world where mancy especially during dry periods,
climate allows. Turkey is in the top five thus boosting growth of new shoots for
world producers with 250,000 tonnes heavier harvests of leaves.
per annum. Turkish people drink more
tea per person than in any other coun- Omex Kingfol Mg – This is anoth-
try of the world. Tea is also grown in East er product from the Omex Kingfol range
and Southern Africa with Kenya, Uganda and containing 22% magnesium (w/v),
and Malawi as key tea-producing coun- which is the metallic element at the core
tries. of the chlorophyll molecule. Under plant
stress conditions tea leaves become
Foliar feeding the Omex way hard and fibrous and unsuitable for pick-
(Picture courtesy Omex)
ing. Application of Kingfol Mg as a foliar
spray helps to soften the leaves while
Omex Kingfol Zn – A high anal-
ysis liquid suspension containing 70% heightening leaf colour by enhancing
chlorophyll content for improved photo-
zinc (w/v) and used for rapid correction synthesis and yield.
of zinc deficiency which is common in
tea growing regions, including Assam, Omex Kingfol S – Kingfol S with
because zinc becomes locked up in the 72% sulphur (w/v) improves the green
soil. Recommendation is 0.25 to 0.5 L/ha colour and shine of tea leaves to give
Omex offers a full nutrient product measurable increases in yield. The sul-
prof le for tea (Picture courtesy Omex) in a foliar spray depending on severity
of zinc deficiency. Regular use reduces phur in Kingfol S also hones quality of
As an evergreen bush crop with rou- the incidence of ‘banjhi’ buds, a pair of the black tea infusion because sulphur
tine picking of young shoots and leaves leaves enclosing a dormant (inactive) is a key constituent of the chemicals re-
tea requires full and fast nutrition by foli- bud or no bud at all. Omex Kingfol Zn sponsible for colour, taste and aroma.
ar feeding says Omex Agrifluids, a world outperforms standard foliar spray appli- Omex 3X Emulsion – A fully
leader in the design, development and cations of zinc sulphate (Zn SO4) espe- water-soluble fluid fertiliser containing
delivery of soluble nutrient products. cially during attacks of red spider mite macronutrients and chelated micronu-
(Oligonychus coffeae).
Assam in North-East India, the world’s trients with magnesium and iron. Foliar
largest tea growing region by produc- Omex Foliar Boron – A high anal- feeding with Omex 3X Emulsion im-
tion, is just one of the regions where a ysis solution of boron (15% w/v) is used proves chlorophyll content of leaves for
comprehensive range of Omex products to boost recovery from attacks by tea bigger and faster breaking leaf buds
is used to maintain plant vigour and vi- mosquito bug (Helopeltis theivora) and/ and enhanced leaf colour. The improved
tality of the world famous Assam black or to correct boron deficiency. Recom- plant vigour alleviates soil-associated
tea leaf infusion. Tea growers on estates mended rate is 0.5 to 0.6 L/ha as a foliar stress whether from waterlogging or
across Assam use the following combi- spray applied immediately after attack drought.
nation of Omex products. by tea mosquito bug and at the first sign
of deficiency symptoms. Omex Foliar
Omex Bio 20 – A formulation of Boron is the ideal ‘rehabilitation’ spray
macronutrients, magnesium + iron and for tea.
chelated micronutrients all ‘wrapped up’
with a natural biostimulant sourced from Omex K41 – This is a water soluble
seaweed. Omex Bio 20 is applied as a fo- emulsion of macronutrients and sulphur
liar spray. Omex Bio 20 is used first in the containing an ultra-high (40% w/v) con-
tea nursery to promote root biomass for centration of potassium. Potassium the
maximum uptake and utilization of water so-called ‘gatekeeper’ nutrient is crucial
and nutrients. Follow up applications to for maintaining optimal plant water re- Tea is an evergreen bush crop which
young tea bushes help to alleviate phys- lations. Foliar application of Omex K41 is routinely picked of its young shoots
iological stress caused by abiotic and improves tea leaf turgidity to produce and leaves. As such the tea crop
biotic factors including high tempera- heavier harvests of picked leaves and requires full and fast nutrition by foliar
ture, soil moisture deficit and pest and shoots. Omex K41 is especially useful
when tea is grown on sandy substrates feeding (Picture courtesy Omex)

4 Vol. 37 No. 2