Soft fruit

There are currently nearly 10,000 Ha of soft fruit grown in the UK. The principal fruit types are strawberry, raspberry and currants. Because of the diverse range of growing methods, cultivars and end uses, fertiliser management varies widely. However, all soft fruits have a high requirement for potash and Magnesium and currants gooseberries and raspberries are particularly sensitive to chloride. DEFRA fertiliser recommendations (RB 209) state ‘Sulphate of potash should be used for raspberries, redcurrants and gooseberries where more than 120 kg/ha potash is applied’ And concerning Magnesium, RB 209 states ‘To avoid induced Magnesium deficiency, the soil K:Mg ratio should be no greater than 3:1’ As more potash is removed than magnesium from the soil, the use of Patentkali will help to achieve this ratio and therefore avoid deficiency problems