Prosol: Quality Control

PRO·SOL IS QUALITY

PRO·SOL's water soluble products have characteristics that set them apart from competitive products.

Only a limited number of materials can be used in the manufacture of a 100% soluble product and only those materials are used in PRO·SOL.

To be completely homogenous a product must be made from completely dry materials of uniform particle size. PRO·SOL is manufactured utilizing a unique production process which reduces all materials to a 200 mesh particle size after removing all excess moisture. This, along with thorough blending of the materials, assures a consistent product not only within a batch, but within each pound of product.

In laboratory and greenhouse tests, PRO·SOL out-performs competitive products with regard to consistent analysis and the lack of insoluble impurities. The biggest problem occurring in drip and trickle irrigation systems is impurities clogging the emitters and preventing proper distribution of fertilizer and water. PRO·SOL products are manufactured to prevent clogging of the irrigation system.

PRO·SOL's own manufacturing facilities gives PRO·SOL flexibility to produce product of the exact analysis a customer needs and in the package size they desire. With PRO·SOL, no one must conform to what is available, since they can obtain what they want and need.

With a staff which includes trained agronomists and horticulturists, as well as a dedicated sales and customer service department, PRO·SOL is ready to serve you.

Examples of Just a Few of our Quality Control Procedures

A. Purchasing

1. All purchase orders for materials will give the full specifications for raw materials ordered.

2. Specifications for raw materials will include any chemical screening for contaminants, physical characteristics, or any other restrictions that apply.

B. Raw Material Receiving and Analysis

1. All raw materials will be check-weighed and a representative sample pulled upon receipt. The material will be placed in an "on-hold" inventory and will not be used until released.

2. The sample will be split, with one portion submitted to the appropriate laboratory for analysis. The sample will be identified by the receiving report number and the vendor. The second portion of the raw material sample will be retained for two years.

3. The results and the retained sample will be maintained in a file and kept for two years.

C. Batches Pulled for Manufacturing

1. A quality control card listing the amount of each ingredient will be filled out by the production manager for each batch of material to be pulled. If no dye is to be put into the batch, everyone should be notified and the procedure for elimination of cross contamination be instituted. A product with no dye is the exception, and dye should be included in all formulas unless notified otherwise.

2. The pallet may be taken to production only after both the puller and the controller have signed off on it.

D. Manufacturing

1. When a grade change is made, the production manager is to certify that the manufacturing system has been cleaned of residues from prior batches.

E. Bagging

1. The bagger operator is responsible for making sure the sealer operator takes a small sample from each bag and places it in the QC container as he check-weighs it. The QC controller will retrieve a sample from the QC container to be submitted to the laboratory.

F. Bag Sealing

1. Water soluble fertilizers will be bagged in poly bags exclusively.

2. The bag stacker is to clean any dye or material from each bag prior to putting it on the pallet, and he is to check each bag for complete and durable seal. A sticker will be applied to each bag indicating the batch number.

G. Finished Products

1. QC will split the sample from each batch. A one pound sample of finished product will be retained by PRO·SOL for two years.

2. One sample split will be retained by PRO·SOL for QC in the PRO·SOL lab, one split will be sent to an outside laboratory for chemical analysis of the guaranteed elements, and one split will be sent to the specified greenhouse for the bioassay. The PRO·SOL lab will test each sample for color, electro-conductivity, free moisture, and insolubles.

3. All products will be held in the "on-hold" inventory until the products are found to meet chemical specification and pass the bioassay test.

Quality Control Lab Procedure

1. Establishment of minimum specifications for production.

2. Establishment and testing for Electro-Conductivity.

3. Establishment and testing for solubility.

4. Establishment and testing for color.

5. Establishment and testing for free moisture.

Pest & Disease Damage Control:

Resistance to disease or pest damage is determined by the ability of the host to limit penetration, development of the invading pathogen, or limit the feeding of pests. Tolerance is characterized by the ability of the host plant to maintain its own growth despite the infection or pest attack. Resistance can be increased by manipulating the nutritional status of the plant. For example, you can reduce the amount of time the plant remains in the susceptible stage by early, heavy fertilization. Research has shown high levels of Phosphorus at early growth stages, increased root mass and overcame soil born pathogens. High levels of Potassium and Manganese have been shown to help the plant grow through disease and insect problems without substantial damage. When Potassium is deficient in plants, sugar and amino acid levels are high in the leaves and increase the germination of fungal disease spores. By applying Potassium, you can limit the number of spores that germinate. There are thousands of documented improvements in plant health through nutrition as it is related to disease and pest damage. For more information, call us or email us at 1-800-4-PROSOL or prosol@fritinc.com.