Cherries may reduce the risk of arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. With people being ever more health conscious and trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, that means greater potential for this fruit market to grow. Global cherry production topped 2.7 million tons in 2021, and producers must grow high quality cherries at greater yields to meet growing demand. Growers continue to rely on Metalosate to increase yields, quality and shelf life of cherries, as they have for decades.
The entire lifecycle of the tree contributes to the health of the tree and production of cherries. Nutrient availability and care before bud break or bloom can affect yield and quality at harvest. Trees need a balance of primary nutrients, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients to grow effectively and produce fruit. This can be especially tricky in orchards where soil nutrients may become depleted over time.
The Metalosate Advantage
Metalosate products contain amino acid chelated nutrients designed to treat and even prevent nutrient deficiencies. This means giving trees what they need when they need it most. That translates to more cherries at harvest, better economic sustainability and healthier trees over time.
Metalosate in Action
Growers’ goals almost always include producing more and larger cherries. In one field trial the research team discovered a deficiency of Manganese, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Zinc and Magnesium by using the TEAM analysis. As a result, the Balchem team and researchers recommended applications of Boron, Copper, Zinc, Manganese and Potassium be applied throughout the season. Once the deficiencies improved, a maintenance program including Metalosate Calcium and Potassium was implemented. This delivered in an increased number of blossoms indicating potential for greater yield. That potential resulted in an increased number of fruit clusters and more cherries. At harvest this equated to a 12 percent larger harvest and an 8 to 1 return-on-investment.
Nutrition Delivered
Metalosate’s amino acid chelated minerals moved through the leaf’s cuticle and to the growing points, where the plant needed them most. This resulted in more potential for new growth (buds, blossoms, and fruit) and then the tree utilized those nutrients in producing more fruit. That’s nutrition delivered.
To learn more about using Metalosate to improve cherry production contact our team.