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JUNE 2020
R & D & I | AGRICULTURE

The protection and fertilisation of vineyards as an example of sustainable agriculture

  • Agriculture is, and shall continue to be, a key player in the fight against climate change.
  • The protection and fertilisation of crops is an essential aspect to guarantee their health, yield, and sustainability.
  • A clear example of sustainable agriculture is the perfect match of sulphur and grapevines.

 

It’s undeniable that the effects of climate change and global warming are creating a series of repercussions that not only affect the environment, but also an area as essential to our future as agriculture.

An overall temperature increase can be seen in the increased frequency of heat waves, the number of days with extremely high temperatures throughout the year, as well as reduced precipitation and the increase in the number of dry spells. We are faced with two challenges when it comes to protecting and developing crops. On the one hand, climate conditions are more conducive to the development of plagues and diseases. On the other hand, the need to encourage plant growth using resources that the environment is no longer able to provide naturally arises.

In this sense, World Environment Day on 5th June could help us reflect on the need to contribute to the protection and growth of our agricultural holdings on the basis of active substances that offer a comprehensive solution for the multiple and growing specific needs of each crop and that also do so from an orientation based on the sustainability of these treatments.

A tangible example of how this challenge can be faced in an innovative and successful way can be found in the innumerable benefits that sulphur for agricultural use provides for the protection and optimal growth of vineyards.

Sulphur for agricultural use is distinguished for its sustainability in terms of its predominately natural origin and its potential to use the water resources available in the agricultural environment much more efficiently, especially if applied by dusting. No water is used when the sulphur is dusted. In addition to this, it is estimated that for each hectare pulverised, we dust approximately 3, which leads to a reduction in fuel consumption and, at the same time, an optimisation of the labour force. At the same time, sulphur for agricultural use is also distinguished for its ability to provide the vineyard with its phytosanitary, fertilising and bio stimulating properties from a single active substance.

At this point, it’s worth pointing out the enormous investments of companies like AFEPASA, which have more than 125 years of experience in the industry and their deep involvement as a traditional and strategic partner in maintaining our vineyards’ leading position worldwide, have turned their product innovation into a basic axis for promoting sustainability in the protection and cultivation of grapevines in Spain.

So, taking sulphur’s impressive potential in terms of effective protection for vineyards against different threats, and in particular those that are related to endemic, such as powdery mildew or mildew, AFEPASA has developed products which guarantee integral grapevine protection as well as provide an indirect defence against external factors, such as solar radiation or the increasing numbers of insects and mites. These products include the following:

  • Micronized Sulphur P300/80 – Special Effect against Insects: dusting application formulated with a mineral load, suitable as a fungicide and acaricide treatment, with the capacity to generate a hostile environment for mites and cause injuries to the different larval stages of insects.
  • Micronized Sulphur P300/80 – Special Drying: dusting application formulated with an inert load, suitable as a fungicide and acaricide treatment, with an effective regulation of the surface humidity in the plant.
  • Micronized Sulphur P300/80 – Special Sunscreen Effect: dusting application, suitable as a fungicide and acaricide treatment, with an important action as a sunscreen formulated with an inert load. The mixture of minerals, incorporated with reduced particle sizes, allows the effective cover of the foliar surface, providing fruits and vegetables with a physical barrier against the impact of solar radiation.

This filtering action can also be found in Soldefend, thanks to which this fertiliser provides effective protection against the risk of sunburn on the grapevine.

  • Solfoxidante: formulated based on sulphur and contains potassium permanganate as an adjuvant. It offers excellent protection against powdery mildew, thanks to its composition consisting of 80% sulphur and an eradicating and curative effect of phytopathogenic fungi due to the oxidant action on the leaf.

In terms of sulphur’s ability to act as a natural fertilising substance, due to it being considered a macronutrient similar to nitrogen, phosphorous or potassium, Afesol, a fast-acting sulphur amendment, stands out. The sulphur is mixed with clay which easily separates, by absorbing humidity, achieving a quick decomposition and incorporation of sulphur into the soil. Among its advantages, it is worth noting its ability to lower the soil’s pH, as well as its electrical conductivity.

On the other hand, sulphur can also offer some excellent results as a bio stimulant for crops in general and in vineyards in particular, given its essential role in the formation of vegetable proteins, through the natural development of the amino acids cysteine and methionine, as well as its ability to promote the synthesis of fatty acids and vitamins that are key for the optimum development of the grapevine.

In this sense, the potential offered by SULTECH® Technology, developed by AFEPASA, as well as its Triumphalis product, a bio stimulant with selected amino acids, enriched with vegetable extracts and elemental sulphur, should be emphasised.

Triumphalis acts as a plant root defence activator, as well as a catalyst when absorbing nitrogen, encouraging the grapevine’s growth, and fighting against abiotic stress. It also stands out for its good balance of potassium and nitrogen.