Lida Plant Research Neostren Forte - 2.5-0-0 - Strenghtener of Harvestable Organs

Neostren Forte is a calcium-based foliar fertilizer formulated to prevent physiopathies resulting from poor calcium assimilation that affect fruit skin in horticultural crops, fruit trees, table grapes, and wine grapes. In many crops, common disorders such as blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers, bitter pit in apples, cracking in cherries, and creasing in citrus are not caused by insufficient calcium in the soil, but rather by the plant's inability to move sufficient calcium into the fruit. Calcium is immobile in the phloem, meaning it does not readily move from leaves into fruit once fruit tissues have expanded. Neostren Forte provides a soluble calcium source complexed with L-glycine, a small amino acid that facilitates calcium transport across plant membranes. The formulation also contains betaine (glycerinebetaine), a compatible solute that helps maintain cell turgor and membrane integrity under water stress, reducing the dehydration that exacerbates calcium-related skin disorders. The product contains 2.5% water-soluble nitrogen (derived from L-glycine), 17% calcium (derived from calcium diformate), 1.5% boron (derived from disodium octaborate tetrahydrate), and 17% glycerinebetaine of synthetic origin. It is an odorless white powder with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5 at 0.2% dilution and a flash point above 60°C.

Chemical Composition and Formulation

• Total Nitrogen (N): 2.5% (100% water soluble)

• Calcium (Ca): 17%

• Boron (B): 1.5%

• Non-plant food ingredient: 17% glycerinebetaine (synthetic origin)

Derived from calcium diformate, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, and L-glycine.

Functional Mechanism
Calcium is an immobile nutrient; once leaf tissues mature, calcium does not translocate into developing fruit. This limitation leads to calcium-deficiency disorders in fruit even when soil calcium levels are adequate. Neostren Forte delivers calcium directly to fruit surfaces via foliar application, bypassing the plant's vascular limitations. The L-glycine acts as a complexing agent that enhances calcium penetration through the cuticle and across cell membranes. Boron, applied concurrently, promotes pollen tube growth and fruit set, while also improving calcium utilization by stabilizing cell wall structure. The glycerinebetaine component functions as an osmoprotectant, reducing water loss from fruit skin cells under heat or drought stress—conditions that accelerate calcium-deficiency symptom expression.

Target Applications and Performance
The product is labeled for:

• Cereals, row crops, and grasses: Bluegrass (for seed), beans, corn, cotton, rice, wheat, barley

• Vegetables: Beet, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chards, cucurbits (melons, squash, pumpkin, cucumber), eggplant, garlic, green beans, kale, leafy greens, lemongrass, lettuce, onion, pepper, potato, radish, spinach, tomato, watermelon

• Berries: Blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry

• Fruit trees: Citrus (lemon, lime, grapefruit), mandarins and hybrids, oranges, apple, avocado, fig, pear, persimmon

• Stone fruits: Apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach

• Tree nuts: Almond, pecan, pistachio, walnut

• Grapes: Table grapes and wine grapes

• Nurseries and potted plants

Key benefits:

• Prevents physiopathies caused by poor calcium assimilation that affect fruit skin

• Improves calcium uptake

• Ensures better tissue permeability to prevent dehydration

• Strengthens and hardens fruit skin

• Reduces creasing in citrus

Application Specifications
Apply as a foliar spray. Rates are per acre.

Concentration for terrestrial application:

Use Restrictions and Warnings
The use of this product on any crop other than those recommended may result in serious crop injury. Product contains boron; do not apply to boron-sensitive crops. Use only when required. Do not exceed the recommended rate. The user is responsible for any damages caused by lack of efficacy, toxicity, or residues due to failure to follow label instructions. Keep out of reach of children. Keep away from food, drinks, and cattle feed.

Storage and Handling
Avoid low temperatures in winter and temperatures above 82°F (28°C). Avoid direct light and long storage periods.

Safety and Hazard Information
The product is classified as hazardous under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 with signal word Danger. Contains calcium diformate (3-75%) and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (0.3-10%). Hazard statements: H318 (Causes serious eye damage) and H360FD (May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child).

Precautionary statements: P201 (Obtain special instructions before use), P280 (Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection), P305+P351+P338 (IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; continue rinsing), P308+P313 (IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention), P310 (Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor), P405 (Store locked up), P501 (Dispose of contents/container appropriately).

First Aid Measures

• Inhalation: Move victim to open air; keep warm and calm. If breathing is irregular or stops, perform artificial respiration.

• Eye contact: Wash eyes with plenty of clean, cool water for at least 10 minutes while holding eyelids open. Do not let the person rub the affected eye. Seek medical assistance.

• Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin vigorously with water and soap or a suitable skin cleaner. Never use solvents or thinners.

• Ingestion: If accidentally ingested, seek immediate medical attention. Keep calm. Never induce vomiting.

The product is corrosive; contact with eyes can cause irreversible damage. Long-term chronic exposure may result in injury to certain organs or tissues. In case of doubt or when symptoms persist, get medical attention. Never administer anything orally to unconscious persons.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Breathing protection: Filter mask (A2 type for organic gases and vapors)

• Hand protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (PVC or similar)

• Eye protection: Protective goggles with built-in frame

• Skin protection: Chemical protective clothing and anti-static safety footwear

Environmental Precautions
Prevent contamination of drains, surface water, groundwater, and soil. Contain and collect spills with inert absorbent material (earth, sand, vermiculite, diatomite). Clean area immediately with a suitable decontaminant. Do not dump into sewers or waterways. Dispose of waste according to local and national regulations.

Firefighting Measures
The product does not present any particular risk in case of fire. Suitable extinguishing media: powder, CO₂, alcohol-resistant foam, and water spray. Do not use a direct stream of water. In the presence of electrical voltage, do not use water or foam. Fire can produce thick, black smoke; thermal decomposition may form carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Use water to cool containers close to heat source or fire.

Compliance
Information regarding the contents and levels of metals in this product is available at http://www.aapfco.org/metals.html. The product is not affected by the SEVESO III Directive (2012/18/EU).