New iron fertilizers based on
phosphate knowledge
0 – 42 – 47 + 2.8% Fe
Iron (Fe) is an essential element for plants. Since the 1960s, the only way to guarantee iron uptake in soilless cultures was through organic binding, i.e. chelates. But Prayon has now developed micronutri Fe, an
alternative, innovative fertilizer that guarantees iron uptake in soilless cultures.
Micronutri Fe is a patented combination of multiple polyphosphates and iron.
Efficient iron fertilizer
Guarantees
Additional benefits
• Guaranteed iron uptake, even in the presence
of fluctuating pH levels
• A pure water-soluble iron fertilizer containing only
nutrients: iron, phosphate and potassium
• Less chlorosis, as proven in multiple trials
• Greater efficiency in the presence of UV disinfection
due to enhanced transmission and less deterioration
• Iron availability is reversible when the pH level
fluctuates and/or is corrected
• Easy to use via a separate C tank
• Polyphosphates mean less precipitation in the
irrigation system and better phosphate uptake
Proven in tests in 2012 and 2013
Research carried out previously by Prayon’s R&D department showed that micronutri
Fe can retain the iron within a nutrient solution. The next step was to test iron uptake.
The first trials on cucumbers - conducted in early 2012 in collaboration with Wageningen UR (led by researcher Wim Voogt) - immediately confirmed the potential of
micronutri Fe. Iron uptake was tested in various pH ranges in a pure hydroponic system
(no substrate). Cucumbers are quick to reveal iron deficiency. The results showed that
micronutri Fe, tested alongside a conventional chelate, efficiently makes iron available
to plants in a hydroponic system. Moreover, less tipburn was observed when using
micronutri Fe.
In August 2012 a soilless trial on
cucumbers was launched at Wageningen UR. Less chlorosis was observed with micronutri Fe; the
plants were greener. The harvest proceeded normally and good harvest
results were achieved.
In 2013 we ran a full soilless trial on tomatoes in the Hoogstraten
Research Center. No chlorosis was observed throughout the
entire year. Further confirmation that micronutri Fe is the
perfect iron fertilizer.
In 2013 a soilless trial on strawberries in Hoogstraten
proved that micronutri Fe could easily be used as an iron
fertilizer. Once again good results were achieved. There
was no chlorosis and the harvest proceeded perfectly!
Summary
• Less chlorosis
• Efficient and proven iron uptake
• Good harvests
Enhanced UV stability
Easy to use in a separate C tank
Multiple trials have proven that micronutri Fe breaks down
much less in the presence of UV disinfection while ensuring
better transmission than organic chelates. That means more
effective UV disinfection and less iron is lost.
Using a separate dosing tank, micronutri Fe can be easily
and correctly dosed in the mixing tank. In other words, no
pH correction is needed in the fertilizer tanks and mistakes
can be avoided. In addition, there will be no precipitation
or contamination in the tanks. Currently, only micronutri Fe
may go in the separate tank; in the future, other elements
may be added.
pH range and reversibility
Just like a DTPA, micronutri Fe can make iron available up
to pH 7. At higher pH values, corrections must be made to
prevent difficulties with the other nutrients.
When the pH is corrected (e.g. by adding ammonium, NH4)
to bring it back to 5.8, then the iron provided by micronutri
Fe will once again be available to the plant. This is not true
with organic chelates, where the iron is lost.
Pure fertilizer
Micronutri Fe is a pure fertilizer; all elements are taken up
by the plant. It is a fully biodegradable, 100% water-soluble
fertilizer and, like the entire Hortipray® range, contains
virtually no sodium.
In addition to iron, micronutri Fe also contains phosphate
and potassium, 2 of the 3 main elements. Its NPK formula
is 0-42-47+2.8% Fe.
MIXING
TANK
GREENHOUSE
A
RAIN WATER
TANK
B
C
UV LAMP
UV DISINFECTION
DISINFECTED
DRAIN WATER
TANK
FILTER
COLLECT
DRAIN WATER
TANK
Specifications
Fe
P
K
OHP2O5
K2O
mol
w/w %
500 mmol/kg
5,87 mol/kg
10,15 mol/kg
4,28 mol/kg
2,8
42
48
400 g/L water (20 ° C)
9,9
1,03 mS/cm
Solubility
pH solution 1%
EC 1g/L
Phosphate and potassium
Naturally, all elements must be taken into account when calculating the full nutrient solution: i.e. phosphate and potassium, in addition to iron.
Nutrients Table in different units
… KG micronutri Fe IN 100.000L WATER
micronutri Fe (kg)
1 kg
2 kg
3 kg
4 kg
5 kg
10 kg
20 kg
Fe (µmol/L)
input H2PO4 (mmol/L)
input K+ (mmol/L)
5
0,06
0,10
10
0,12
0,20
15
0,18
0,30
20
0,23
0,41
25
0,29
0,51
50
0,59
1,02
100
1,17
2,03
Fe3+ (µeq/L)
input H2PO4- (meq/L)
input K+ (meq/L)
15
0,06
0,10
30
0,12
0,20
45
0,18
0,30
60
0,23
0,41
75
0,29
0,51
150
0,59
1,02
300
1,17
2,03
Fe (ppm)
input P (ppm)
input K (ppm)
0,28
1,8
4
0,56
3,6
8
0,84
5,5
12
1,12
7,3
16
1,40
9,1
20
2,79
18,2
40
5,59
36,4
79
Headquarters:
Commercial subsidiaries:
PRAYON S.A. Horticulture Division
144, rue J. Wauters
BE - 4480 Engis
Belgium
+32 4 273 92 11
+32 4 273 96 44
[email protected]
PRAYON BENELUX N.V.
+32 3 860 18 28
[email protected]
PRAYON UK plc
+44 1582 76 99 99
[email protected]
PRAYON DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
+49 231 55 79 90 0
[email protected]
PRAYON Inc.
+1 706 771 34 34
[email protected]
www.prayon.com
Your local distributor
PRAYON IBERICA S.A.U.
+34 915 553 002
[email protected]
PRAYON ITALIA Srl
+39 0243 81 11 80
[email protected]