Pigment is one of the most important elements for plant production. It goes without saying that colorful, vibrant fruits and vegetables are preferred. When walking down an aisle at a grocery store, the produce section lures in people with basket overflowing with bright, colorful, and healthy looking fruits and vegetables. From a sales perspective, farmers and growers who are able to harvest vibrantly colored crops are placed in a position to make much higher profits per yield. Therefore, understanding the benefits of pigments directly relates to a farms’ bottom line and this is critical for growers trying to run a successful business. Flowers are another plant product that requires rich pigment. Colors in flowers attract buyers and make for greater sales. Certainly, pigment linked to plants means big sales, but it runs deeper than that.

The most major and important plant pigments are as follows:

• Chlorophyll
• Flavonoid
• Carotene
• Betalain
• Anthocyanins

These pigments play a bigger role than simply making flowers, fruits, and vegetables look vibrant and full of color, they also help to continue natural plant development while promoting healthy growth. Photosynthesis in plants is due in major part to pigments. The colors red, yellow, and green capture the light’s energy and then promote growth for the crops. As a result, adequate pigmentation means healthier, stronger harvests. Finally, pigmentation also has a big hand in adding sweetness in fruits, another link to better sales.

When it comes to flowers, bright pigment helps to attract insects which, in turn, promote proper pollination. This is essential for flowers to thrive. As plants move along in the development process, pigmentation becomes more and more important. Bring it back to sales, growers who are able to harness the powers of proper pigmentation will find that more and more customers are seeking their produce. Pay attention to the color of your plants, it will mean higher profits and better overall success for your farm.

As growers, maintaining a healthy, flourishing harvest is by and far the most important aspect of a fruitful crop. Giving power to plant growth can come in a variety of forms, as a widespread number of nutrients are vital to a crop’s overall production. Chloroplasts, however, seem to have a bigger role when it comes to improved photosynthesis and strengthening of cellular membranes. As plants convert the sun’s energy into a storable form, the ability to supply rapid chloroplast growth is imperative. When combined with carbon dioxide gas and water, chloroplasts produce the food that plants need to sustain life.

The three most critical factors of plant growth and development are as follows:

1. Photosynthesis
2. Respiration
3. Transpiration

First, a plant must capture light energy in order to convert it to sugar energy, all in the company of chlorophyll – this is the process of photosynthesis. Next, the plants must metabolize or burn these sugars in order to produce energy for reproduction, growth, and other processes important to life. Finally, the stomata of leaves losses water vapor through the process of transpiration. Without any one of these elements, the growth and development of plants would be drastically harmed. Therefore, paying attention to each element is crucial to cultivating thriving and fruitful harvests.

Speeding the process of chloroplast creation will play a monumental role in the plant’s ability to absorb sunlight and survive against the variety of plant diseases that threaten their health on daily basis. As such, purchasing a safe cellular growth fertilizer that focuses on quick growth of chloroplast is vital. Look for an organic, safe for the environment fertilizer that improves photosynthesis, jumpstarts powerful plant development, and helps to strengthen fruits and vegetables’ cellular membranes.

Widespread research supports the importance of calcium in plant nutrition, more specifically, soluble calcium fertilizer’s ability to help facilitate the production of high-quality crops. Calcium fertilization is overlooked all too often, as growers tend to focus in on macronutrients or specific micronutrients instead. Calcium plays a vital role in the physiology of plants and is a multifunctional nutrient, also playing a large role in increasing nitrogen-use efficiency. Calcium deficient plants are subject to a number of dangers that will negatively affect the harvest as a whole. Some of the most common symptoms of calcium deficiency are as follows:

• Growing points die off
• Unusually dark green foliage
• Stems are weakened
• Shredding of buds and blossoms is premature

Calcium is imperative to strengthening and thickening the cell walls of plants. In addition, calcium helps the structural integrity of fruits and flowers, allowing for higher quality productions. In Florida, calcium is particularly important due to its presence and necessity in citrus production. Some of the most notable components of calcium’s importance include:

• Regulations of enzyme systems
• Increases in nutrient uptake
• Regulates phytohormone activities
• Helps seed formation
• Facilitates pollen tube elongation

A calcium deficient plant will suffer from damaged root systems, will be more susceptible to root diseases, and will be unable to develop properly. As such, it is important to use a safe calcium fertilizer to boost the production and quality of your crops. The plant’s cellular membranes will be support, thus making for enhanced crop production with adequate calcium levels.X

As a grower, there are countless ways to improve the overall potential of your crops. While endless debates surround the best means to do so, the bottom line is that every great harvest needs optimum nutrition and most favorable conditions to grow fruitfully. Brix, which is also referred to as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is vital to measure as it indicates how well your plants are performing. With soil and foliar feeding, optimal balances of the most key nutrients can be achieved simply with the fundamentals inherent in the concept of high-Brix crops. From flowers to vegetables to fruits, paying close attention to Brix levels is imperative to a number of important qualities of great crops.

From a definitional standpoint, Brix levels indicate the percentage of solids in the juice of a plant, predominately made up of minerals and sugar. The higher the Brix levels the better. The following are some of the most essential benefits of high Brix levels:

1. Better Nutrition: when Brix levels are high it means that the plant’s mineral content is optimal. As such, there is likely an increase in the vitamin content as well. For the growers looking to make claims about the nutritional value of their crops, pay close attention to and measure your Brix levels.
2. Healthier Plants: plants most likely will not contain high Brix levels if they are being grown in poor soil. Therefore, high Brix levels indicate that the soil the crops are being grown in is healthy and has sufficient amounts of water and nutrients. In addition, this makes the plants less likely to suffer from attacks of disease or insects.
3. Great Flavor: high Brix levels in fruits and vegetables are a direct indicator that the crops will be rich in flavor. Paying attention to Brix levels is the key to building a reputation around delicious, flavorful harvests.
4. Shelf Life Increase: tests and studies have shown that when the Brix levels of crops are high, the shelf life can double or triple. An increase in shelf life is critical for growers as the plants will be kept from rotting and wilting, making produce that much more marketable.

From sweetness to taste to overall quality, Brix is absolutely vital to the overall success of edible crops. As yields increase and produce improves in flavor, growers will see a significant rise in their crop sales. When looking for products to boost Brix levels, be sure to read the labels to make certain that the plant fertilizer is composed of all organic and natural extracts.X

Supplying soil with the appropriate nutrients is essential to a healthy harvest. When it comes to growing thriving crops, conditioning the soil can be the difference between a flourishing yield and a disappointing yield. Understanding the basics behind improving soils for great vegetable growth is important for gardeners, farmers, and all types of growers. In order to maintain fertile soil that is well-drained and textured correctly, growers must supply the soil with nutrients that prevent overgrowth and encourage productive harvests. Let’s take a look at some of the primary components and considerations for maintaining desirable soil for your garden.

Moisture Conditions

Far too many growers get too eager and attempt to work the soil when it is too wet. Working the soil at the right time centers around proper moisture, as the soil should be dry enough to crumble as the grower works it. No soil should be spaded or tilled until this time. A great way to test moisture is to take a handful of soil, squeeze, and if the soil remains in a tight ball after releasing the pressure, it is recommended to wait a few days before tilling or spading. Remember, rainfall will affect moisture conditions and must be accounted for.

Water Drainage

Poorly-drained soils are the easiest way to limit crop production. Surface drainage as well as subsurface drainage is imperative to quickly remove excess water while eliminating pockets and low spots where water is likely to remain for long periods of time.

While moisture conditions and water drainage are the two most critical factors, the following must also be addressed to condition soil properly:

• Soil pH
• Erosion
• Texture
• Use of cover crops
• Structure
• Avoidance of temporary nitrogen deficiency

Keeping all of the above in mind will play an important role in safeguarding your crops and ensuring conditioned soil for ample productivity.X

Just because the weather is chilly in many regions of the United States does not mean that growers are out of luck. In fact, February is often a great time for gardeners and professional growers to plant some tasty seeds. In cooler climates, February is the perfect time to sow your peppers and tomatoes. For warmer climates, February marks a time to start sowing your vegetable seeds outdoors. Spring planting is a wonderful time for vegetable crops to thrive for a wide variety of reasons. For those agricultural junkies looking to make a profit, the vegetables grown now are sure to flourish just in time to fill the marketplace with delicious greens and veggies.

The Farmers’ Almanac provides an excellent guide for growers of all kinds to pinpoint the best seeds to plant in the most viable season. February is a big month for growers to prep their harvest for the spring months to arrive. This year, Farmers’ Almanac predicts a prosperous February for farmers looking to capitalize on seasonal growth. In the middle of February, it is a good idea to plant seedbeds and flower your gardens while planting the following seeds:

• Tomatoes
• Beans
• Cucumbers
• Melons
• Corn
• Peppers
• Cotton

As the month carries on growers should clear their ground and turn sod between the 13^th and 17^th of the month. Around the 18^th of February, planting root crops is suggested as this is a favorable day. In addition, plant flowers and start sowing hay, forage crops, and grains. Moving towards the end of the month, plant the following:

• Onions
• Carrots
• Irish potatoes
• Turnips
• Beets
• Lettuce
• Collards
• Cabbage

Other root crops will also flourish during this time. Be sure to avoid planting and sowing on barren days. Overall, February should be a great month for farmers to establish their harvests for a plentiful spring season.X

As a grower, protecting your precious harvests from the adverse effects of weather is critical. Unfortunately, due to the highly unpredictable nature of hazardous weather, natural disasters have continually challenged agricultural production throughout the world. From earthquakes to hurricanes to floods and everything in between, crops have suffered tremendously from the damages of natural disasters. Even in relatively “normal” weather, crops are at the mercy of climate changes, water availability, and overall weather conditions. Agriculture is continually looking for a way to protect their harvests against the threat of bad weather.

The most commonly seen effe3cts of natural disasters for agriculture, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are as follows:

• Loss of harvest
• Loss of livestock
• Contamination of water bodies
• Destruction of irrigation systems
• Increased vulnerability to diseases
• Destruction of other agricultural infrastructure

After a bad storm, heavy rain, or any other type of adverse weather occurrence, the agricultural production is inevitably hindered. From forest growth to arable lands to crop health, being able to protect your harvest from these issues is paramount of productivity and profitability for any grower. The most commonly seen weather hazards for crops are as follows:

• Drought
• Black Rot
• Rust
• Frost
• Hail
• Pests
• Disease

Regularly applying natural plant nutrients that target the dangers of adverse weather is critical for growers of all kinds. In order to give crops extra resilience in times of bad weather, these natural fertilizers are able to safeguard harvests through harsh weather and dangerous pests. While reducing the likelihood of disease, the added strength helps to overcome any issues related to adverse weather conditions.X

It’s no secret that nematodes threaten the health of agriculture in farms throughout the entire world. As the population worldwide continues to increase, food security over the coming years will become more and more prominent and nematodes present a major global challenge. Parasitic nematodes have the ability to threaten all sorts of crops and, even worse, almost every portion of the plant. When it comes to nematode attacks, plant leaves, roots, stems, seeds, and fruits are all at risk of being targeted. Being aware of a parasitic nematode attack is important, however, in most cases once an invasion is recognized it may be too late to save the crop. As such, being able to recognize the symptoms of nematode disease is critical.

The most common signs of nematode presence is in root impairment, in addition to:

• Increased wilting
• Dieback in perennials
• Growth reduction
• Mineral-deficiency
• Decreased winter-hardiness

Nevertheless, some of the nematode symptoms are identified in plants and these signs vary in the ease of recognition. For instance, above-ground symptoms of attacks come in the form of chlorosis, stunting, reductions in vigor, or yield declines, as well as foliar discoloration in bud and leaf nematode. In addition, galling which is triggered by root-knot nematode is identified much more easily. However, it is important not to confuse these symptoms with root-galling that is caused by various sheath nematodes.

Minimizing the damage of plant parasitic nematodes is critical today and, more importantly, tomorrow. As the world’s agricultural industry continues its preparation for a massive population increase, growers must be aware of the most effective ways to control parasite invasions. As advances in the foliar industry continue to arise, farmers, growers, and gardeners must understand the importance of controlling nematode attacks.X