SVG Intermol - Fulcrum CRV Liquid Potato Feed

SVG Intermol has been the sole manufacturer of Fulcrum CRV European manufacturing facility since its launch in 1994. Now that we have added full sales and marketing rights, we are investing heavily in its future development.

On-going research has been commissioned to add more depth to the already extensive database, specialised production facilities have been identified and a new sales support team is in place.

New Fulcrum CRV®
What is New Fulcrum CRV

Fulcrum™ CRV is a patented carefully formulated, liquid blend of simple sugars, similar to those produced during photosynthesis and seaweed extract. It has been developed to increase tuber bulking rates by providing an extra source of carbohydrates during the early growth stages, when demand greatly exceeds the amount plants can produce during photosynthesis. However, when you boost growth, other nutrients may also be in short supply. So Fulcrum CRV also provides 28 other essential micro and macronutrients in exactly the right concentrations to allow the potato crop to bulk at a faster rate. It also delivers a full dose of seaweed extract that will also help improve tuber development and bulking.

Mode of action
Applied to potatoes at the stolon hooking stage. New Fulcrum CRV works in several ways:

1. It supplies supplemental carbohydrates that the plant needs during this time of rapid cell division. By increasing the available energy during this early stage of crop development, tuber bulking rate can be accelerated, leading to the production of, more uniform marketable tubers. Fulcrum CRV® also contains a blend of macro- and micro- nutrients, ensuring a ready supply of all the elements necessary for optimum growth and successful plant development.
2. An abundance of sugar in the potato plant has been shown to switch on the genes controlling the formation of starch in the tuber. A high rate of starch formation results in a high rate of tuber growth. Low temperatures after planting can restrict the transfer of sugars from the seed tuber to growing stems. During early plant growth there is little leaf material to produce sugars and the concentration of sugars in the sap is low. A large proportion of the sugars produced may be used by the leaves and may not be available to developing tubers. Damage to leaves during early growth (e.g. frost or herbicide damage) may further reduce the supply of sugars.
3. Simple sugars and sucrose in particular have been shown to effect key plant hormones responsible for tuber development. Concentrations of plant hormones at the stolon tip change as tubers develop. Gibberellic acid is important for stem and stolon elongation but inhibits tuber formation. Sugars in the potato plant to change excess gibberellic acid into an inactive form.
4. New Fulcrum CRV contains concentrated seaweed extract that has been proven to stimulate root development, increases uptake of soil nutrients, improve natural resistance and produce a healthier crop

The formulation is important because potato plants do not have the same response to all types of sugar (for example there is a better response to sucrose than to glucose).

Results, compiled over 8 years, show that on selected potato varieties, both marketable yield and potential crop value are improved. In practical terms, Fulcrum CRV® offers two possible benefits. The first is early lifting to capture higher market prices for early potatoes. The second is an increase in the number of tubers in the 50-90 mm size bracket demanded by processors and supermarkets.

Timing of application
Timing of application has been identified as a critical success factor in getting the most from Fulcrum CRV
Independent trials carried out by CMI 1998-2000
Trials were carried out to investigate the optimum time for applying Fulcrum CRV®, based on the “below ground” development of the potato crop. Interim digs were carried out throughout the growing season to obtain a bulking rate for the crop and the final yield was also recorded.

These trials have been carried out for the last 3 years and the trend of the data demonstrates that the optimum time for application is at stolon hooking stage. Once past this stolon hooking stage, and into the stolon swelling stage, the response is lost.

The latest time to apply “Fulcrum” is when the very first stolon tips begin to swell. The only way to know when stolon tips are beginning to swell is to regularly dig up some plants. The less variability there is in plant emergence, the easier it will be to apply “Fulcrum” at the correct time.

Stolon and tuber development
a) Hook
b) Onset of stolon tip swelling (Os)
c) Tuber 10 mm diameter, onset of bulking (Ob)