In chemistry, water hardness is the concentration of mineral compounds that exist in a given amount of water, particularly magnesium and calcium salts. These are the causes of water hardness which is directly proportional to the concentration of alkaline salts.

It is generally calculated, from the sum of calcium and magnesium concentrations (milligrams) per litre of water, which can be expressed in CaCO3 concentrations.

A third of the world’s irrigated areas are affected by excessive salt content. In the infiltration process of irrigation water, it interacts with the ground, causing changes in the water characteristics, in terms of salt content covering processes such as concentration, dilution and precipitation of salts dissolved in water, solution of soil minerals and absorption of salts by roots, and reaction and ionic exchange in the clay-humic complex.

The water quality factors that most influence infiltration are the total content of salts and the ratio of sodium to calcium and magnesium (SAR). In this sense, the infiltration will increase with increasing electrical conductivity and decrease with increasing SAR.

Chlorides and sulphates are the most common causes of the formation of saline soils, of the properties they present and stress on plants. Chlorides are highly soluble salts with high toxicity. Sodium chloride is the most common salt in saline soils. Efflorescence formed on the surface of these soils during the dry season has a salty taste. The removal of this salt requires washing in good drainage conditions. The presence of sodium chloride affects the solubility of other salts by common ion effect.

The recovery of saline soils in order to reduce the percentage of absorbed sodium is achieved by applying chemical improvers. With the decrease of PSI (percentage sodium interexchange), the sodium adsorbed on the complex is substituted for calcium, to reduce the PSI to values that do not cause damage to the structure. The usual method is the addition of chemical enhancers which contain calcium or move part of that existing in the soil.

The recovery of sodic soil through the use of such products is based on the solubility of calcium in the soil or the addition of soluble calcium in order to replace the sodium in the complex.

Ferticell-Salinity is designed to promote better plant soil relations in terms of use of saline water or soils and have the advantage over those described above, of being easy to use, since Ferticell-Salinity can be applied during the growing season through fertirrigation.

The action mechanism of organic acids in Ferticell-Salinity is based on the elevation of the CIC (capacity interexchange Cationic), contributing to the decrease in salinity. They are involved in the stability of the exchange complex, complementing the effects of calcium, resulting in better soil structure. They encourage the development of soil microorganisms, a source of energy in chemical and biological processes such as the oxidation of sulphur.

Acid molecules interact with insoluble calcium and magnesium salts arising from the movement caused by excess sodium, constituting soluble carboxylates. These carboxylates by difference in ionic radius between the divalent cations Ca + +, Mg + + and Na +, which is saturating the clay-humic soil, form soluble sodium carboxylates which are displaced by water drainage, leaving the complex saturated with divalent cations.

In some areas there are problems of water and soil hardness, which affect crops. Affected areas are easy to differentiate due to withered state of growth and low crop productivity. The application of water and soil softening products are an alternative for handling and controlling this problem.

• Physical Chemical Analysis:
• Parameter Accepted Range Test
• pH : 0,50 ± 1.0
• DENSITY: 1,16 Kg/L.

• Sensory Assessment:
• Appearance Coffee or brown colour
• Smell Characteristic of organic compounds
• Taste very strong, bitter, spicy and persistent taste
• Texture Firm and smooth

The FERTICELL SALINITY product corrects the pH and reduces water and soil hardness, releasing salts and metallic compounds in the soil making them more available or less toxic for plants.

It is a liquid product based on chelating and complexing properties of the polycarboxylic acids and polyamines that act in the balance and ion exchange (Ca++, Na+, etc.)

Ferticell Salinity is ideal as a corrector for saline, sodic and saline-sodic water when incorporated in the irrigation water; it corrects salinity and prevents toxic ions (Na+) from accumulating in the colloidal complex of the soil.

Ferticell Salinity is made up reducing substances, amino acids, carbohydrates and non-volatile organic acids which make up a concentrate of organic molecules and chelated minerals.

The FERTICELL SALINITY treatment decreases and/or improves hardness levels while simultaneously improving physical chemical conditions of the irrigation water.

Acts reducing SAR of water and with it speeds up infiltration and avoids soil sodification, improving the structure and decreasing the toxicity factor of Sodium ion on crops.

Does not alter irrigation water properties but the correction of saline water takes place in the colloidal complex of the soil avoiding excess toxic salts being permanently retained in the soil.

FERTICELL-SALINITY salinity, decreasing levels of Electrical Conductivity (E.C.), the percentage of exchangeable Sodium (P.E.S.) and the Sodium absorption relation (S.A.R.).

Effective corrector of saline excesses both in the soil and in irrigation water during application.

The Ferticell-Salinity action mechanism is based on the elevation of the CIC contributing to the decrease in salinity, complementing the effects of calcium resulting in better soil structure.

CARBOXILIC ACIDS…………………….50%

Inert Ingredients:

ALGA EXTRACTS……,,,,………………..50%

Recommendations

Ferticell Salinity may be mixed with most pesticides, any nitrogen fertilizer and mostherbicides. It should not be mixed with phosphates with more than 6% P2O5.

Dose and Applications

According to water and soil analysis, the Field Engineer will recommend for each crop and at any stage of development, the number of applications of the following doses.

Drip irrigation: 2-4L/ha

Saline/Sodic soils: it is recommended to apply between 5-10L/ha