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Hazelnuts

Australian production of hazelnuts is experiencing an increase as new orchards begin producing commercial quantities. The industry is well supported by research leading to improved, more efficient and sustainable production systems. (Australian Tree Nut Industry)

Special considerations for hazelnuts

As hazelnuts flower in winter, it is important to support post harvest recovery by ensuring soil nutrition is adequate, and soils are supporting nutrient cycling and uptake.

Replenishment of key macro and micronutrients post harvest, in combination with any required ameliorants for soil conditioning or improvement, along with a biostimulant to enhance nutrient uptake, ensures nutrients and energy reserves are replenished prior to flowering.

The BioAg approach

BioAg nutrition programs are incorporated into a growers current nutrition program. Our objective is to make fertiliser and other inputs work better and build and support healthy and balanced soils and plants. Programs are custom-made for each block, using advanced soil and tissue analysis. These integrated programs typically incorporate a range of BioAg solid and liquid nutrients, often associated with conventional inputs. BioAg fertility programs can be developed to meet organic certification requirements.

Soil test

An experienced and Fertcare accredited BioAg agronomist works with you and provides technical expertise on your crop. If you don’t already have recent soil test data, we arrange a soil test for you. The results provide essential information about the soil fertility and soil structure for better performance. Download the BioAg soil sampling procedure here.

A tailored program

Based on the results of soil tests, crop requirements and other factors such as soil structure, climate, history of the block, and targets that you are trying to achieve, we provide a tailored program that aims to improve soil fertility and maximise yield response. We support you through the program to ensure that inputs are applied at the right time, in the right way.

Leaf and tissue testing

Any nutritional program cannot foresee the changes in weather, disease, or pests, that may impact a crop. During the season, growers may observe issues or evidence of stress in their crop. This may be due to greater growth or yields than planned, a trace element shortage or abiotic stresses. An on-farm inspection and associated leaf or tissue tests will promptly identify any issues, which can quickly be addressed by applying the appropriate inputs. Download the BioAg leaf sampling procedure here.

High yielding crops require fertile balanced soils

Key to highly productive crops is the function of soils. Soil structure, chemistry and biology are critical in supporting crops throughout the growing season. By improving all aspects of the soil, crops will benefit from improved access to moisture, due to improved infiltration and water holding capacity, improved access to nutrition through improved nutrient cycling, fixation (for N) and a reduction in loss pathways, improved resilience to abiotic stresses and disease, improved root growth providing access to additional moisture and nutrients as well as improved carbon sequestration and a range of other benefits (click for more on soil health).

Beneficial microorganisms stimulate the plant’s root growth and help protect it from abiotic stresses. This is made possible through mutually beneficial relationships that microbes develop with plants, for example mycorrhizal associations. BioAg products programs supply essential macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca), trace elements (B, Zn, Cu etc.), microbial food and metabolites beneficial microorganisms that colonise root systems, improving soil function, plant health and productivity.

Several almonds lay on a flat surface

Hazelnuts – key features of a BioAg program

The following table illustrates the cropping process and potential solutions depending on soil test results and other contributing factors. Call your BioAg Area Manager to discuss your individual needs.

Objective
Activity
BioAg Product
Post harvest
Support tree recovery and monitor soils.
Apply nitrogen and stimulants to enhance nutrient supply from soils. Perform soil tests.
Soil & Seed®: 3 – 5L/ha
Dormancy
Build soil nutrition and structure for the coming season and support early growth with appropriate levels of P and Ca.
Apply ameliorates, solid fertilisers and required micronutrients into vine rows.
BioAgPhos®: 100 – 250kg/ha
Dormancy
Build soil nutrition and structure for the coming season and support early growth with appropriate levels of P and Ca.
Apply ameliorates, solid fertilisers and required micronutrients into vine rows.
BioAgSoP®: 100 – 300kg/ha
Dormancy
Build soil nutrition and structure for the coming season and support early growth with appropriate levels of P and Ca.
Apply ameliorates, solid fertilisers and required micronutrients into vine rows.
BioAgBor®: based on soil test results
Prebudburst
Improve delivery of nutrients from soil to trees.
Apply biostimulants to soils.
HydraHume®: 10 – 20L/ha
Budburst
Stimulate root activity and improve nutrient uptake from soils.
Apply biostimulants to soils.
Soil & Seed®: 8 – 10L/ha
Early leaf and stem growth
Stimulate canopy growth and early leaves resilience to frost.
Apply foliar biostimulant.
HydraSea 50®: 0.5 – 1L/ha
Stem and leaf growth
Enhance nutrient uptake from the soil.
Apply biostimulants to soils.
Soil & Seed®: 2 – 4L/ha
Stem and leaf growth
Address any nutrient deficiencies.
Supply important micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals through foliars combined with a chelator and growth stimulant to enhance uptake.
Balance & Grow®: with foliar trace elements and nutrients: 2 – 4L/ha
Nut growth
Enhance nutrient uptake from the soil.
Apply biostimulants to soils.
Soil & Seed®: 2 – 4L/ha
Nut growth
Enhance nut fill by enhancing nutrient and energy supply to nuts.
Supply important micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals through foliars combined with a chelator and growth stimulant to enhance uptake.
Balance & Grow®: with foliar trace elements: 2 – 4L/ha
Kernel growth
Address any nutrient deficiencies.
Supply important micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals through foliars combined with a chelator and growth stimulant to enhance uptake.
Fruit & Balance®: 2 – 4L/ha
Maturing nuts
Improve tolerance to stress.
Apply foliar biostimulant.
HydraSea 50®: 0.5 – 1L/ha
Maturing nuts
Address any nutrient deficiencies.
Supply important micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals through foliars combined with a chelator and growth stimulant to enhance uptake.
Fruit & Balance®: 2 – 4L/ha

Hazelnut resources

  • Soil-nutrient relationships

    Nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium, may be supplied to plants solely from reserves held in the soil. Others like phosphorus and nitrogen are added regularly to soils as fertiliser to be withdrawn as needed by crops.

    Read more
  • Biostimulants increase yield benefits

    The yield map from the Summer 2023 harvest near Brocklesby in Southern NSW visibly shows the positive impact of BioAg’s biostimulant program on yield.

    Read more
  • Post-harvest – a key period for orchards and vineyards

    Post-harvest is an important period for perennial tree crops and vines. This is when carbohydrates and nutrient reserves (like nitrogen) are replenished prior to dormancy. These reserves are then used at bud or flower burst and the start of the next season. Post-harvest...

    Read more
  • Soil carbon

    Like most elements carbon can be present in soils in different forms. Carbon is present as organic or inorganic carbon. Inorganic carbon is mineral based with its most common form being calcium carbonate. The carbon present in soil organic matter is referred to as organ...

    Read more

Recommended products

bag of BioAg Phos solid fertiliser

BioAgPhos

Solid Fertiliser

Highly reactive phosphate fertiliser made from high-grade reactive phosphate rock combined with BioAg’s microbial digesting agent.

BioAg Biostimulant product Soil & Seed

Soil & Seed

Biostimulant

Formulated to improve soil microbial activity, natural soil fertility and moisture and nutrient utilisation.

BioAg product shot of BioAg SoP

BioAgSoP

Solid Fertiliser

Organically certified granular form of fertiliser containing potassium and sulphur. Immediately available to crops and plants. Ideal for crops with a high potassium demand and sensitive to chloride.

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BioAgBor

Trace Element

A sustained-release form of boron suited to a range of enterprises such as horticulture, vegetables, pastures and field crops.

BioAg Biostimulant product HydraHume

HydraHume

Biostimulant

A liquid solution of Potassium Humate providing a product suited to building soil humus and increasing soil fertility.

BioAg Biostimulant product HydraSea 50

HydraSea 50

Biostimulant

A natural seaweed extract that delivers a number of beneficial organic compounds and minerals to crops and pastures.

BioAg Biostimulant product Fruit & Balance

Fruit & Balance

Biostimulant

Formulated to increase flowering, fruit set and soil microbial activity. Fruit & Balance enhances the nutritional value and quality of fruit or grain by increasing plant sugar levels.

BioAg Biostimulant product Balance & Grow

Balance & Grow

Biostimulant

Formulated to increase vegetative growth, root development and soil microbial activity. Ideal for broadacre, pastures and horticulture.

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Committed to organics

With a core range of natural fertilisers and biostimulants, BioAg can offer an extensive range of products certified by Australian Organics, suitable for use in organic systems.