Perlka

Calcium cyanamide fertiliser

Perlka is a unique nitrogenous fertiliser manufactured from natural raw materials; coal, limestone and atmospheric nitrogen. When combined by electricity these materials form a well-proven nitrogen fertiliser.

Perlka composition

19.8% nitrogen (N)
50% lime (CaO)
1.5% magnesium (MgO)

Perlka also contains dicyandiamide, a known nitrification inhibitor, which makes Perlka a long-term nitrogen source and minimises the risk of leaching. This is possible because the nitrogen source in Perlka has to go through several transformation processes in the soil to become fully available to plants. This slow-release of nitrogen corresponds to the natural growth demands of young plants and becomes increasingly available after application. Numerous experiments have also shown that leafy vegetables fertilised with Perlka contain less unwanted nitrate, ultimately improving quality.

The liming value of Perlka is equivalent to 50% calcium oxide (CaO), and when in contact with water this calcium quickly turns into lime hydrate Ca(OH)2 which is strongly alkaline. The lime content of Perlka is therefore extremely active and positively influences the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils, as well as improving fertility.

Effect of Perlka on physiological disorders

Insufficient calcium nutrition can lead to a number of physiological disorders such as tip-burn in lettuce and cabbage, black heart in celery, blossom-end rot in tomatoes, and bitter pit in apples. The calcium supplied by Perlka is readily available to the plant, and ensures healthy, strong cell walls which can help to reduce these problems.

Soil conditioning effect of Perlka

The brief cyanamide phase (H2CN2) that Perlka undergoes while breaking down into available nutrients generally lasts for up to two weeks, and leads to the unique availability of nitrogen. When combined with the high level of lime and long-term nitrogen this effect can lead to increase crop and soil health and fertility, thus increasing yields. These soil conditioning effects are most noted where repeated applications of Perlka have been made in successive rotations. In relation to some soil-borne diseases such as Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) in brassicas and Sclerotinia in lettuce, the use of Perlka as a fertiliser has become the standard in many countries where these pathogens are a problem.

Effect of Perlka on soil fertility

A 53 year field study clearly demonstrated that periodical application of Perlka causes considerable increases in the activity of microbial enzymes which are regarded as an indicator of soil fertility.

Manufactured since 1908, Perlka continues to find exciting new uses in the horticultural industry worldwide, with growers constantly striving to produce uniform, healthy, high yielding crops. Perlka substantially improves soil fertility and plant health when compared to other nitrogen sources, and is ideally suited to the production of high quality vegetables and fruit.

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