Talete, the newest biostimulant in the Valagro range, provides growers with an innovative and effective tool to combat drought stress on crops and mitigate the risk of yield reductions due to water scarcity over the dry summer months.
Under drought conditions, crops respond to water stress by reducing key metabolic functions. “This may include reducing the rate of transpiration (water lost through the leaves) which reduces water movement within the plant, and reducing photosynthetic activity, as a means of energy conservation,” says Tamzin Lee, Valagro Territory Manager. “This compromises the plant’s ability to grow and ripen fruit.”
Working to improve crop water productivity, Talete enhances the plant’s ability to maximise water uptake and utilisation, meaning that yield can be maintained even during periods of water scarcity or drought. Talete stimulates genes within plants related to the above metabolic functions, allowing the plant to better utilise whatever water is available in dry conditions, supporting energy production to drive and maintain fruit growth.
A 2023-24 trial¹ carried out on Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough by the Fruitfed Supplies Technical Team demonstrated Talete’s ability to drive a yield increase in dry conditions. The Talete treated area had a 1.9 T/ha increase in yield over the untreated control and increased the overall bunch weight per vine from 5 kg/vine for the untreated control to 5.9 kg/vine for the Talete treated area.
Graph 1: 2023-24 Valagro Talete trial, Marlborough
¹ 2023-24 Fruitfed Supplies Research Report on Yield Effects of Talete in Wine Grapes
(Vitis vinifera) cv. Sauvignon Blanc
