Charus du Plessis is the soil nutrition specialist at Atlantic Fertilisers, an organic fertiliser company dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture. His fascination with soil health deepened throughout his career, and he realised the foundation of a thriving vineyard lies in soil fertility. This passion led him to a career focused on sustainable agricultural practices and the vital role that organic fertilisers play in soil fertility and ecosystem health. “Today, I am committed to helping vineyards across the country implement innovative and sustainable solutions that enhance soil health, improve crop yields, and contribute to a more sustainable future for agriculture,” he says.

What is your process for evaluating the soil health and overall condition of a vineyard during a visit?

When evaluating the soil health and overall condition of a vineyard during a visit, I follow a systematic process to ensure thorough assessment and understanding:

1. Visual Inspection: Inspecting the vineyards. I look for good root development, shoot length and thickness as well as leaf size and colour.
2. Soil Sampling: I collect soil samples from multiple locations across the vineyard, ensuring good representation of the specific block. These samples are collected at consistent depths to provide a comprehensive analysis of the root zone. Topography and physical properties of the soil are also considered.
3. Soil Analysis: The results of the soil analysis provide me with the information regarding the chemical properties of the soil.
4. Microbial and Biological Activity: With the use of organic matter, manures, organic acids and bio stimulants, microbial activity is promoted to enhance root development and soil health.
5. Data Interpretation: Upon receiving soil analysis results, I interpret the data to identify nutrient deficiencies, pH imbalances, or other limiting factors. This analysis guides recommendations for fertiliser applications, soil amendments, and management practices tailored to the vineyard’s specific needs.
6. Recommendations and Action Plan: Based on my findings, I develop a customized action plan in collaboration with the wine farmer. This plan includes recommendations for improving soil health, optimizing nutrient management, enhancing irrigation efficiency, and promoting sustainable vineyard practices.

What makes soil and leaf analysis a priority for wine farmers?

Soil analysis should be a priority for wine farmers because it provides crucial insights into the limiting factors of their vineyard’s soil. By understanding key parameters such as nutrient levels, pH balance, and soil structure, farmers can tailor their fertigation practices to optimise growth and yield. This approach helps in making informed decisions and saving money on expensive inputs.

Leaf analysis results help with the refinement of fertiliser practices. A leaf analysis is a window providing insights to the efficiency of fertiliser use and the expected contribution of the soil towards plant nutrition under changing environmental conditions.

What common mistakes do you see that are easy to correct?

Placement of fertilisers and concentrations of applications must receive more attention. These practices when done incorrectly can be harmful to sensitive root systems and negatively affect the efficiency of the fertilisers.

Lack of cover crops as well as over-application of mulching can also be detrimental.

Cover crops play a significant role in enhancing soil health and optimising fertiliser usage in agriculture. By planting cover crops, we can improve soil structure and organic matter content. This, in turn, enhances microbial activity and diversity. Cover crops also help suppress weeds and reduce erosion.

Why are fertiliser prices relatively high?

Here are some factors that can contribute to higher fertiliser prices:

1. Raw Material Costs: Fluctuations in the prices of raw materials such as nitrogen, phosphate, and potash, which are key components of fertilisers, can significantly impact overall costs.
2. Energy Prices: Since fertiliser production requires substantial energy inputs, changes in energy costs can directly influence the manufacturing expenses and, consequently, the prices of fertilisers.
3. Global Demand and Supply Dynamics: Shifts in global demand for agricultural commodities and fertilisers, as well as supply constraints or surpluses in key producing regions, can affect market prices.
4. Currency Exchange Rates: Changes in currency exchange rates can impact the cost of imported fertilisers, especially if a significant portion of the supply is sourced internationally.

These factors collectively contribute to the pricing structure of fertilisers, influencing the costs that farmers and distributors encounter in the market.

What are you most excited about regarding the future of fertiliser practices?

I’m most excited about the shift away from only using conventional fertilisers, but also including cover crops, manures and bio stimulants to enhance soil fertility.

A growing awareness of the end-users towards food quality and nutritional value is also gaining momentum!

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