Advanced plant nutrition and smart soil management are becoming increasingly important as population growth, climate change, and food security put pressure on agriculture worldwide. This is the view of Duane de Swardt, technical marketing specialist at InteliGro, with 36 years of experience in plant nutrition.
By 2050, the world population is expected to reach 10 billion, and farmers will have to produce more food on less land to meet the growing demand. At the same time, climate change is undermining producers’ production potential. This is where plant nutrition and soil management begin to play a decisive role.
As a leading provider of integrated crop solutions, InteliGro understands that plant nutrition and soil fertility require a specialised approach.
“When it comes to nutrition, there is no room for guesswork,” says De Swardt. “It’s a precise science that must be comprehensively managed, by experts, supported by research.”
“Just like athletes need an optimal diet, plants also need a precise nutrition plan for yield, quality, and sustainability,” he explains further. “Every element plays a role and that’s why we look holistically at the plant’s needs.”
Specialised nutrition helps crops withstand climate stress, boosts their vitality, and improves yield per hectare. Research also shows that better nutrition not only increases productivity but also promotes soil fertility over the long term.
Related stories
- InteliGro MD steps down, embraces new role within WUSA
- InteliSeed integration strengthens InteliGro’s crop solutions
His colleague Schalk Lombaard, also a technical marketing specialist who specialises in plant nutrition, agrees.
“If we can achieve a higher yield per hectare through nutrition, then we are on the right path. Biostimulants and precision nutrition further contribute to a more sustainable agricultural practice, one that can feed a growing world population,” says Lombaard.
Biostimulants are changing the game
“The secret lies in integration with biostimulants and other natural molecules that send signals and trigger plant processes,” says Lombaard.
One success story is the use of bioflavonoids combined with a smart nutrition programme for soft citrus in Limpopo. “In some blocks, mandarins start colouring up to two weeks earlier, which is a big advantage in the export market,” he shares.
“It’s integration that makes the difference,” says De Swardt. “From soil and foliar nutrition to crop protection – everything must function as a system. This is how we help deliver quality export products, with longer shelf life and minimal residue levels.”
‘Programme over product’ delivers results
InteliGro’s plant nutrition specialists collaborate with leading suppliers to develop integrated nutrition programmes using a combination of biostimulants, advanced fertiliser formulas, and scientific insights.
One such solution is controlled-release fertiliser (CRF), where nutrients are slowly and precisely released exactly when the plant needs them.
“Soil is where everything begins,” says De Swardt. “We manage the rhizosphere around the roots so that the plant can optimally absorb nutrients. Drippers and micro-products that allow producers to precisely apply nutrients have transformed soil management.”
A good example is calcium deficiencies in older macadamia orchards in the Lowveld, where ultra-fine lime and gypsum granules are used together with fulvic acid to get calcium to the root zone of older trees.
“You can’t move a tree, but you can manage the soil smartly around it,” he says.
According to Lombaard, InteliGro is privileged to have access to a wide variety of products that, in the right programme, make a real difference. “Add that to InteliGro’s team of agronomists and crop advisors – who receive continuous training in the latest research – and you’ve got a winning package.”
“Our crop advisors are not just sales people,” says De Swardt. That’s why InteliGro developed the Certified Crop Advisor programme to shift the focus from product sales to real expertise.
“The programme keeps crop advisors up to date with the latest research and technology. It covers everything: soil, seed, crop protection, soft skills, and even business management.”
Both De Swardt and Lombaard believe that true expertise and innovation originate in the field, in partnership with producers. “That’s what makes our work enjoyable,” says De Swardt. “Every farm is different, but soil management remains the key to sustainable production.”
Lombaard concludes: “InteliGro is now distributing a thiosulfate range in South Africa that has been used in the USA for 50 years. This is going to unlock new worlds for producers and bring sustainable results back to the farm, and that makes me excited about the future of our company and the agricultural sector in South Africa.”
READ NEXT: InteliSeed integration strengthens InteliGro’s crop solutions
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
