Kiwi: improving size and quality with innovative solutions
Kiwi: innovative solutions for superior quality and sizing
Improving the size and quality of kiwi is a key challenge for farmers, who must meet growing global demand and comply with strict European regulations on sustainability and food safety. Through cutting-edge technologies, such as those developed by Agriges, it is possible to optimize harvests, maximize yields, and ensure high-quality fruits while respecting the environment.
Introduction to the kiwi market
The kiwi is a strategic crop in both the European and global fruit sectors. Italy is the leading European producer and the second-largest globally, after New Zealand. In 2023, Italian production reached 365,000 tons, with a growing spread of yellow-fleshed varieties (+12% compared to 2022), while green kiwi production declined due to issues such as plant mortality and climate change. Greece, Spain, and France are also key players, with total European production estimated at around 800,000 tons.
The focus on sustainable agriculture and European regulations, such as the Farm to Fork objectives, aim to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and residues in food products. These challenges pave the way for the use of advanced technologies to ensure the continued viability of such an important crop as kiwi.
Agriges exclusive technologies: Ryzea and EDDVEG
Agriges has developed advanced technologies such as Ryzea, which uses natural biostimulants to improve photosynthesis, nutrient uptake and resistance to abiotic stresses. This technology is based on the extraction of bioactive molecules derived from brown algae: Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus spp. and Laminaria spp., harvested at the stage of their cycle when the concentration of phytostimulant compounds is highest. This innovative cold extraction process makes it possible to stimulate the metabolism of plants by improving their response to stress.
EDDVEG, on the other hand, optimises the uptake of trace elements through high bioavailability, avoiding waste and accumulation in the soil. With this technology, the micro-nutrients undergo a double complexation with 100% plant-based and completely biodegradable molecules: lignosulphonates and oligopeptides, providing an energising effect on the plant and generating a biostimulating action in the face of stress situations.
These tools meet European requirements for sustainable agriculture, allowing a reduction in chemical inputs and optimisation of nutrition
Advanced Nutritional Solutions for Kiwifruit
Agriges offers different fertilisation plans with advanced solutions targeted at each crop. In order to obtain a quality harvest and a larger size, the strategy is mainly based on the use of three specific products:
Maral NPK
Maral NPK is a high-quality liquid fertilizer, enriched with seaweed extracts (Ryzea technology) and highly bioavailable micronutrients. The inclusion of iodides with Iodìtech technology offers significant advantages for kiwi cultivation:
- Fruit size and weight: The presence of the main macronutrients ensures optimal nutrition aimed at promoting fruit growth and increasing size. Agronomic tests on various crops, including kiwi, have shown significant increases in the weight and average size of the fruits, improving their appearance and commercial value.
- Organoleptic quality: Increases the sugar content (°Brix), improving flavor and aroma, essential elements to conquer premium markets.
- Resistance to environmental stress: Ryzea stimulates the physiological processes of plants, enhancing tolerance to water and thermal stress, ensuring more stable yields even in difficult conditions.
Download the Maral NPK brochure here.
I'M Calcio
I'M Calcio is a specific fertilizer that provides calcium in a fully assimilable form, essential for:
- Skin development: Thanks to EDDVEG technology, calcium is easily absorbed by the plant, making the fruits more resistant to microcracks and pathogens.
- Post-harvest storage: Reduces deterioration during storage and transport, increasing the shelf life of the product, a crucial aspect for meeting the requirements of the global market and distribution chains.
Download the I'M Calcio technical data sheet here.
Promofruit BZ
Promofruit BZ is a versatile biostimulant, enriched with Ryzea technology, boron, and zinc, designed to optimize flowering and fruit set:
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It contains biostimulants and microelements that promote photosynthesis and improve the balanced development of the fruit.
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It reduces flower and young fruit drop, maximizing overall yield per hectare.
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It is particularly suitable for ensuring a uniform fruit set, reducing size variation, a key element for obtaining high-quality fruit.
Download the Promofruit BZ brochure here.
The use of these formulations in combination has provided tangible benefits, as demonstrated by research conducted by Agriges along with various research centers:
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Increase of 20-30% in yield per hectare.
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Improvement of fruit size by up to 15%.
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Uniformity in ripening, essential for optimizing harvest timing and reducing field losses.
Sustainability and compliance with European regulations
The use of products like those from Agriges perfectly aligns with the Farm to Fork goals, promoting more efficient and environmentally friendly agriculture:
- Waste reduction: Thanks to technologies like EDDVEG, the fertilizer is optimally absorbed, minimizing residue buildup in the soil.
- Low environmental impact: Ryzea, made from plant extracts, ensures a natural and sustainable approach.
- Compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRL): Agriges products adhere to stringent European regulations, ensuring a safe harvest suitable for international trade.
Efficiency and sustainability
The use of these products allows farmers to face climate and regulatory challenges. For example, Maral NPK helps crops overcome periods of water or thermal stress, while I'M Calcio strengthens the cell walls for greater resistance during the storage and transport phase. Promofruit BZ, on the other hand, ensures better fruit setting, a crucial element for maximizing yields under adverse conditions.
Application Method
Agriges proposes a fertilisation plan that is specific but also versatile according to needs, varieties and climatic situations, in order to achieve the best results in Kiwi cultivation. The strategy for improving the size and quality of kiwi fruit is shown in the image below:
In conclusion...
With the increase in global demand for kiwifruit and the challenges posed by European regulations, investing in innovative solutions such as those proposed by Agriges is a winning strategy to ensure competitiveness and sustainability. Integrated approaches, based on technologies such as Ryzea and EDDVEG, not only improve productivity but also promote agriculture that respects the environment and consumer demands.
If you have any questions or need further information, our team is always ready to assist you. Contact us on our social media and continue following us to stay updated on the latest news about organic and integrated agriculture!