High quality of SA fertiliser and lime confirmed

More than 95% of fertiliser and lime samples analysed by the Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa (Fertasa) since last year met official standards and were of the highest quality, according to Dr Pieter Haumann, Fertasa CEO. He said the ongoing monitoring of fertiliser and lime was of the essence for sustainable grain production in South Africa.

A total of 134 fertiliser samples from 24 different companies countrywide, and nine agricultural lime samples from different companies in the northern regions, were analysed and assessed by Fertasa. These included Mpumalanga, North West and the Free State. Lime testing would be expanded to the southern region in future. “Only one lime [sample] did not comply with the calcium carbonate equivalent requirement,” he said.

No assessments were carried out between 2015 and 2016 due to financial constraints, but funding had since been provided by the Sasol Agritrust, Grain SA and Omnia Fertiliser. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries supplied test officers, while Fertasa provided funding and operational administration. Fertasa members represent the fertiliser, bio-fertiliser and agricultural lime industries and need to comply with a strict code of conduct and prescribed standards. Fertasa viewed responsible and sustainable soil fertility and plant nutrition in such an important light that all its members’ agricultural advisers had to pass the association’s Fertiliser Adviser Certification and Training Scheme course before they were allowed to make fertilisation recommendations, Haumann explained.

The curriculum comprised eight modules, including topics such as the basic principles of plant nutrition and factors determining the growth of plants, application methods for agricultural lime and fertilisers, as well as groundwater, water quality and irrigation scheduling.