Recommendations for use of CaTs®

HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CALCIUM WITH THIOSULFATE SULFUR

A minimum 8.4% CaO (6% Ca) and 25% SO₃ (10% S) nutrient content in liquid form.

Recommendations for Use

1: COMPATIBILITY

CaTs is compatible with most fertilizer solutions within normal concentration ranges.
CaTs is not compatible with phosphate, sulfate and ammonium thiosulfate fertilizers.
Before mixing with pesticides perform compatibility test and read pesticide label carefully.

2: GUIDELINES FOR USE OF CATS IN FERTIGATION

Application of nutrients like CaTs should be made in the middle third or second half of an irrigation set.
Several hours of irrigation should take place before and after the injection of CaTs.

The injection of CaTs should be done slowly and should last at least as long as it takes irrigation water to travel from the point of injection to the last emitter or sprinkler in the field.
The injection of CaTs should be done with a fertilizer injection pump and should be done over a 1 to 4 hour time period.
Rapid injection of CaTs may lead to uneven distribution of the CaTs and may cause crop damage.
Always refer to precautions stated on the bag when using the product.

3: DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF CATS IN FLOOD AND IN FURROW APPLICATION

Row crops:
apply 50 to 140 liters of CaTs per hectare per application with irrigation water, as a source of calcium, to improve water infiltration and to reduce runoff. Apply as needed during the growing season.

Tree crops:
apply 100 to 200 liters of CaTs per hectare per application with irrigation water, as a source of calcium, to improve water infiltration and to reduce runoff. Apply as needed during the growing season.

4: DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF CATS IN SPRINKLER AND CENTER PIVOT APPLICATION

Young tree and vine crops:
apply 30 to 75 liters of CaTs per hectare per application. Repeat as required.

Mature tree and vine crops:
apply 45 to 95 liters of CaTs per hectare per application. Repeat as required.

Potatoes:
apply 95 to 140 liters of CaTs per hectare per application beginning at hooking stage. Apply a second application when the potatoes are about golf ball size.

Onions:
apply 95 to 115 liters of CaTs per hectare beginning after third leaf stage. Apply two to three times with at least one week intervals.

Alfalfa:
apply 95 liters of CaTs per hectare after the first cutting and again after the third cutting.

Pome fruits and other crops:
apply 45 to 95 liters of CaTs per hectare per application.

Ornamentals:
apply 10 liters of CaTs per 1000 m² in irrigation water to growing plants. Rinse off any contact with foliage immediately.

Turf:
apply CaTs in irrigation water at 5 to 10 liters per 1000 square meters. Apply as needed.

Tobacco:
apply 50 to 100 liters of CaTs per hectare with a minimum depth of 1.25 cm of water (125,000 liters per hectare) based on tissue analysis. Repeat four or five times during the growing season as needed.

5: DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF CATS IN DRIP IRRIGATION

A typical scenario is that a nutrient solution of 80 mg Ca per liter requires a stock solution of 21.3 l CaTs per 100 liters of water, injected at a rate of 0.5%:

Nutrient solution (Ca ppm or Ca mg/l) = 7.5 x concentration of stock solution (l CaTs per 100 l water) x % injection rate.

Stock solution (l CaTs per 100 l water) = 0.133 x concentration of nutrient solution (ppm Ca or mg Ca/l) / % injection rate.

Add ½ of water to tank, begin stirring.
With highly alkaline water (pH > 8), it is recommended to first neutralize the stock solution to pH 7 before addition of CaTs.
Add recommended amount of CaTs followed by the other compatible liquid N and P sources
Add compatible micronutrients, followed by flowable materials, then by emulsifiables and finally any soluble powders and/or water-soluble fertilizers. (All should be pre dispersed in water before adding to the tank solution).
Complete filling of tank to desired volume and continue circulating prior to and during injection. Flush equipment after usage.
Conduct a small-scale trial to check the compatibility of the mixture before large scale operation and injection into the irrigation system.

6: SUGGESTED APPLICATION RATES FOR DRIP IRRIGATION

Young trees and vines crops:
apply 30 to 80 liters of CaTs per hectare per application during the growing season. Allow 10 to 14 days between applications.

Mature trees and vines crops:
apply 50 to 100 liters of CaTs per hectare per application. Repeat four or five times during the growing season or as needed. Allow 7 to 8 days between applications.

Vegetable and row crops:
apply 30 to 50 liters of CaTs per hectare per application. Repeat four to five times during the growing season as needed.

Bananas:
apply 30 to 60 liters of CaTs per hectare per application from vegetative growth until flowering. Allow 10 to 14 days between applications.

Small fruits (berries):
Apply 4 to 5 times during the growing season as needed.

Vegetative growth to flowering: apply 15 to 25 liters of CaTs per hectare per application. Allow 15 days between applications.
Flowering onwards: apply 30 to 45 liters of CaTs per hectare per application. Allow 7 days between applications.

Flowers:
Apply 30 to 50 liters of CaTs per hectare per application during the growing season. Use four or five applications spread uniformly over the growing season within a year.

Tobacco:
Apply 10 to 50 liters of CaTs per hectare per application based on tissue analysis. Repeat four to six times during the growing season as needed, starting just after planting.

7: DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF CATS FOR FOLIAR APPLICATIONS

Do not apply CaTs to the foliage of any crop when temperatures are, or will be, above 30°C. Apply early in the morning or late evening.
Recommendations listed below are for CaTs application only (i.e. without any tank mix partner products).
Apply in sufficient volume to achieve good plant coverage, usually 200 to 300 liters per hectare for row crops.
Only use spray nozzels recommended for foliar applications.
ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR CROP VITALITY EXPERT if intending to apply foliar CaTs with a crop oil spray, or shortly before and/ or after an oil spray.
Caution: Foliar application of CaTs during bloom may in some tree crops lead to flower thinning.

Alfalfa:
apply 20 to 40 liters of CaTs per hectare per application. Apply on stubble of previous cutting.

Dry Peas and lentils:
apply 10 to 15 liters of CaTs per hectare per application at 1/10th bloom stage.

Onions:
apply 60 to 80 liters of CaTs per hectare after the 3rd leaf stage when crop is well established. Apply two to four times during the season.

Grape vines:
apply 5 to 10 liters of CaTs per hectare per application after flowering. Dilute with a volume of 100 to 600 liters of water per hectare.

Other Crops (including fruit trees, small fruits, vegetables and field crops:
apply 5 to 10 liters of CaTs per hectare per application. Repeat applications as required (up to four or five applications at 10 days intervals).

Apples (Gala and Red Delicious):
apply 5 to 7 liters of CaTs per 1000 liters per hectare. Apply four to six times during the growing season.

Pears (Bartlett, D’Anjou, Bosc, Concord and Arirang Asian: apply 10 to 25 liters of CaTs per 1000 liters per hectare. Begin application at petal fall and continue through the season for four to six applications appropriately spaced during fruit growth.

Cherries:
apply 5 to 7 liters of CaTs per 1000 liters per hectare beginning at petal fall. Apply every 7 to 10 days up to four times or at the beginning and during a rainfall to reduce cracking.

Pineapple:

Before floral induction: apply 15 to 60 liters of CaTs per hectare per application in a water volume of 2300 l/ha. Applications can be made every 14 days starting 3 to 4 months after planting until floral induction (apply via a boom sprayer).
After floral induction: apply 20 to 40 liters of CaTs per hectare per application in a water volume of 2300 l/ha. Applications can be made 2, 3 and 4 weeks after floral induction (apply via a boom sprayer).

Banana:
apply 0.75 to 1.5 liters of CaTs per hectare per application in a volume water of 23 l/ha (3 to 4 % commercial product concentration). Applications can be made every 14 days throughout the crop cycle (vegetative and reproductive).

Pistachio:
apply 4 to 6 liters of CaTs per hectare in 2000 liters of water at fruit set and then 15 days later.

Flowers:
apply 20 liters of CaTs per hectare per application. Repeat four times during the growth period or as needed. Allow 10 to 14 days between applications.

Coffee:
apply as a 0.5 - 1% concentration of CaTs. Repeat up to four times, with the first application pre-flowering, the second post-flowering and then at intervals of one month.

8: DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF CATS FOR SOIL APPLICATION

For pre-plant treatment, apply 100 to 350 liters per hectare with irrigation water depending on the salt content in the soil that require leaching.
CaTs may be broadcast, banded or knife injected as a source of calcium and sulfur. Rates may vary between 100 to 350 liters per hectare.
CaTs can be used in a program to reduce problems related to calcium disorders in tree fruit.
Soil application of CaTs should be used (and is more effective) in conjunction with a foliar calcium program.

Apples, pears, apricots, cherries, peaches, filberts: producing trees (at least 5 years old) on sandy loam soil: apply 190 to 280 liters of CaTs per hectare in a 1.2 meter band under the drip line. Irrigate after application.

Young trees, vine crops or crops planted on sandy soils: apply 140 to 190 liters of CaTs per hectare. Irrigate after application.

Example: a 5 hectare orchard at 200 liters per hectare would require 1000 liters applied in a 1.2 meter band.

10: DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF CATS AS A SOIL AMMENDMENT

CaTs may be broadcast or band applied to the soil surface to reduce crusting problems, improve water infiltration and leach sodium.
An application of 40 l/ha CaTs is equivalent to 1 ton of gypsum per hectare.
For pre-plant applications to improve soil tilth and water infiltration, apply 100 to 350 liters of CaTs per hectare with irrigation water.
For band applications, apply 3 to 4 liters per hectare per centimeter of band width. (A 20 cm band requires 60 to 80 liters per hectare rate.)
CaTs may be used in-season as a soil amendment to reduce the harmful effects of sodium.
CaTs may be applied with irrigation water or directly to the soil before irrigation. Application rate depends on severity of the sodium problem.

11: GUIDELINES FOR BLENDING WITH CATS

CaTs is compatible with most fertilizer solutions. CaTs is not compatible with phosphate, sulfate and ammonium thiosulfate fertilizers.
In absence of specific recommendations and data, do a jar test before mixing large quantities.
CaTs can be blended with UAN or urea solution in any ratio to supply nitrogen. The addition of water to the mixture may be helpful to maintain blend stability.
When blending with micronutrients and pesticides, trial blends should be made before mixing large amounts.
When mixing other liquid fertilizers and/or pesticides with CaTs, the blend sequence should be as follows: water, pesticide, CaTs and/or other fertilizer.
Blends of CaTs should not be acidified below a pH of 6.0.

13: PRECAUTIONS

DO NOT apply CaTs to foliage of crops sensitive (foliar burn) to sulfur.
DO NOT use high-pressure sprays (greater than 4 bar) when applying CaTs over the top of a crop.
Use caution when applying fertilizer to crops experiencing extreme heat or moisture stress. Fertilizers may compete with the crop for water. Crops should be adequately hydrated before applying any fertilizer.
The total rate of fertilizer applied should be split among several irrigations and/or at lower rates per application as temperatures increase.
Take care when applying CaTs with knife injectors or other types of fertilizer injecting equipment that may cause root pruning.
DO NOT apply CaTs while chlorinating irrigation system. CaTs will neutralize chlorine.
DO NOT mix CaTs with acid or acidic fertilizers below a pH of 6.0.
Take care when injecting acids into irrigation water while injecting CaTs. If the water pH is below 6.0 or the injection point to close, the product could decompose and potentially plug drip system.
Recommendations are for CaTs only; the addition of other fertilizers at or near the same time could increase the chance of phytotoxicity to the crop. Please allow a minimum of 7 days between injections.
When mixing CaTs or any liquid fertilizer with pesticides always keep agitators running during filling and spraying operations.
Failure to maintain agitation may cause separation of products resulting in uneven spray application.
Many crops are sensitive to salts during germination. When soil moisture is low, delayed crop emergence and/ or phytotoxicity may occur when fertilizer is placed too close to the seed.
DO NOT use CaTs in pop-up fertilizer when soil moisture is limited, soil salinity is above an electrical conductivity of 1.0 or when irrigation is delayed such that germination may be affected.
Fertigation application of CaTs and other liquid or water-soluble fertilizers to an established crop may cause injury to a crop if (i) Injection period is less than 60 minutes, which may cause an uneven distribution of CaTs to the crop (ii) CaTs rates are higher than suggested (iii)Ample irrigation water is not applied immediately before and after the injection of CaTs.
Crop injury may result from unusual weather conditions during foliar application (heat wave, drought, or hot drying wind), or improper application practices such as injecting fertilizer to quickly all of which are out of control of the manufacturer or seller.
Take care when applying CaTs in drip or micro-irrigation systems where calcium and magnesium levels in irrigation water are greater than 100 ppm due to potential plugging of emitters.

For more information contact: Tessenderlo Kerley International, part of Tessenderlo Group, Troonstraat 130 - 1050 Brussels, Belgium

Tel. +32 2 639 18 11
tessenderlokerley@tessenderlo.com
www.tessenderlokerley.com

While every care has been taken to ensure that the information here is correct at the time of publication, Tessenderlo Group can neither give any guarantee as to its accuracy nor accept any liability resulting from its use. If in any doubt consult a qualified agronomist. CaTs® is a registered trademark of Tessenderlo Group NV/SA.