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GREEN HOUSES

age of macronutrients and micronutri-
ents. And boosted by humic acid which
is a dual soil amelioration and plant bio-
stimulatory product acting at the root
zone and via plant metabolism,” says
Peter Prentis
Omex Nami (Bio 20) is applied as a fo-
liar spray at the seedling establishment
stage to promote root growth and devel-
opment thus maximising uptake and uti-
lisation of water and nutrients. “Root sys-
tems form the very foundation of plant
Crowded seedlings in the nursery anchorage and subsequent stability for Unusual but effective combination –
seedbed are highly prone to damping the uptake of water-soluble nutrients via aubergine and tomato grown together
off – Scotch bonnet hot pepper is the root hairs. The uniquely effective nu- in greenhouse cultivation
trient-supply/biostimulant-boost format
shown here (Picture Dr Terry Mabbett) of Omex Nami (Bio 20) ensures the crop, (Picture courtesy Omex)
whether tomato, cucumber or lettuce,
gets off to a flying start. Such assistance
Peter told Arab World Agribusiness is especially important for seed germi- There are over sixty different species
how Omex has designed and developed nation and seedling establishment. Early of Meloidogyne (root knot nematode)
a wide range of soluble nutrient formu- worldwide but for tomato and other
lations high in purity and completely greenhouse crops in Saudi Arabia Meloi-
soluble in water. “Omex products sold dogyne javanica and to a lesser extent
by Al-Yaseen Agricultural Company re- M. incognita tend to be the most dam-
flect a focus on greenhouse growing and aging. Highly susceptible tomato crops
the specific requirements of the mainly grown under warm conditions and on
salad crops grown. light sandy soils, which facilitate move-
The four products are: Omex Nami (Bio ment of the free living juveniles, are ripe
for nematode invasion and development
20), Omex Combi (Micromax), Omex and suffer correspondingly high crop
Calmax and Omex DP98. damage levels.
Off to a flying start with Peter points out how the loose, friable
Omex Nami (Bio 20) Mixed-salad leaves are increasingly and sandy soils typical of Saudi Arabia is
key to success of these pests by allowing
popular in European markets ‘free’ movement of free-living, motile ju-
Good seed germination and un- (Picture Dr Terry Mabbett)
impeded seedling establishment in veniles into the root zone. “Rapid estab-
crowded seed beds followed by trans-
planting out and associated ‘transplant
shock’ are times when salad crops like stage crops will in- Saudi Agriculture Show
tomato are at their most vulnerable. variably encounter Visit Stand 435-1
stress from abiotic
environmental fac-
tors such as high Pioneering
temperature and
low moisture or bi- Plant Health
otic factors in the
form of pests and
pathogens”, says
Peter.
I asked Peter
Prentis about the
range of pest and
pathogen prob-
Crowded seedlings in the nursery lems of seedling
seedbed are highly prone to damping plants faced by
off – radish is shown here greenhouse crops Co-operating
(Picture Dr Terry Mabbett) like tomato in
Saudi Arabia and with Al-Yaseen
elsewhere in the Agricultural Co.
Anything which prevents smooth region. “Ubiqui-
passage through this potentially tricky tous and terminally since 1997
period may lead to plants with a weak- damaging in this
ened growth and metabolism and car- respect is plant par-
ried right through the crop cycle to be asitic nematodes
reflected in poor yield and crop quality. which inhabit the
What’s more crop maturation and har- soil, move into the
vest date may be delayed with growers rhizosphere (root
missing out on marketing periods when zone) and invade
produce prices are highest. I asked plant roots. Meloi-
Peter Prentis if Omex Agrifluids had any dogyne (root knot
products dedicated to delivering young nematode) is by far OMEX Agrifluids Ltd
plants safely through this unpredictable the most frequent Saddlebow Road, Kings Lynn,
period of growth and development. and damaging Norfolk, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1553 817500
“Indeed we do in Omex Nami (Bio 20) nematode in Saudi Email: agrifluids@omex.com
containing a complete profile and pack- Arabia,” says Peter www.omex.com Circle 27 on enquiry card
Prentis.
20 Vol. 35 No. 7

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