the life in your soil horticulture landscape water

Transcription

1 the life in your soil horticulture landscape water

2 2 Symbio MycoForce Puts life in your soil All plants rely on relationships with soil microbes that promote healthy growth. Symbiotic plant microbe support systems have evolved over millions of years. Soil biology is important for healthy plants Plants leak over 50% of the energy they produce, through their roots, as carbohydrates and proteins to feed the microbes that make up the soil food web. The key components of the soil food web are bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes. The functions of a healthy food web are: Retention of nutrients reducing leaching and volatisation. Making nutrients available in the correct form at the right time for optimum growth. Suppression of plant pathogens. Protection of potential infection sites with beneficial organisms. Building soil structure so oxygen, water and nutrients can permeate the soil. Production of plant growth promoting hormones. Decomposition of toxic compounds and excess nutrient. Modern practices override many of these natural processes with synthetic chemicals and inorganic fertilisers with a high salt index which start a cycle of disease - fertiliser - water - disease. The Symbio MycoForce range is designed to reintroduce the bacteria, soil fungi, mycorrhizal fungi, protozoa and nematodes that make up the soil food web and provide the nutrients required to support both microbes and plants. The benefits of an active soil food web are: Plants grow faster producing more roots, top growth, flowers or fruit. Plants stay healthy and suffer less disease. Reduced costs because less fertiliser, chemicals power and water are needed. Reduced transplant losses and better survival rates in the nursery and planting site. All Symbio products are compatible with conventional plant management techniques. For best results reduce inorganic fertiliser and water inputs to allow natural growth mechanisms to promote healthy plants. Mycorrhizae With MycoForce Transplanter Mycorrhizae are the most important of all the symbiotic relationships between plants and soil microbes. Because plants and fungi have evolved together over billions of years, over 90% of the world s plants rely on their association with mycorrhizal fungi to maximise healthy growth. Mycorrhizae can either form inside the cells of the plant root (endo mycorrhizae) or form a Control - standard nursery practice sheath around the outside of the root (ecto mycorrhizae) from where they extend masses of thread like fungal hyphae out into the surrounding soil. The growth of the fungal hyphae effectively increases the plant s root area, often by several thousand times. The fungi passes water and essential nutrients to the plant and in return obtains plant sugars for its own growth. This evolved symbiotic relationship is a highly successful one and allows plants and fungi to live in difficult environments. Plants with mycorrhizae can double growth rates compared to plants relying on artificial fertilisers alone. Symbio Innovation for Plant Health 1990 Symbio introduces Symbio Lagoon, the first bioremediation product for irrigation lakes and ponds Introduces Symbio Green Circle the first biotech product for nutrient retention and recycling for sports turf Sponsors research with University of London that shows the positive link between mycorrhizal fungi and fine grasses Sponsors 4 year research project with University of Surrey to assess the potential for using soil fungi and bacteria to enhance plant growth and reduce chemical inputs Symbio introduces the MycoForce range of mycorrhizal and microbial inoculants for plants trees and shrubs. Finalist Horticulture Weeks annual best new product award Granted Millennium Product status for Symbio MycoForce Introduces the Symbio MycoGro Complete range of part organic fertilisers that contain mycorrhizal fungi, soil fungi and phosphate solubilising bacteria Introduces the first compost tea brewers to the sports turf and horticultural market Introduces the MycoGro Complete 100% organic range of fertilisers the first with Mycorrhizae soil fungi and bacteria Introduces The DPA range of biological inoculants for use with Deep Probe Aeration machines for fruit trees, stressed or damaged urban trees.

3 The Benefits of Mycorrhizae 3 Reduce fertiliser In extending the root area through the soil, mycorrhizae forage for phosphorous, potassium and trace elements the nutrients essential for flowering, fruiting and yield. Often growers increase plant weight and yield with just 50% of the usual fertiliser input. The extended root system is incredibly important for plants survival when transplanted in poor quality landscapes and sterile rootzones. Acer palmatum plant on the left treated with MycoForce Transplanter and only 50% of the fertiliser that was applied to the plant on the right. Disease resistance Strong plants in healthy soil are more disease resistant, but mycorrhizae also form a physical barrier around the root to stop plant pathogens from damaging the plant. Eleagnus Freerickii plants on left treated with MycoForce Transplanter and 50% of usual fertiliser, plants on right treated with usual fertiliser plus iprodione, furalaxyl and prochloraz. Drought Resistance Mycorrhizae suck up water like a sponge and introduce it to the plant. For the grower this means less water is required but for the landscaper it can mean the difference between survival or death. Numerous scientific studies show growing with MycoForce Mycorrhizae will: Reduce transplant losses Reduce fertiliser and fungicide use Reduce water - protect against drought Reduce heat and power Increase yield Increase disease resistance Increase speed of growth Improve crop uniformity Improve soil quality MycoForce Mycorrhizal Inoculants MycoForce Endo Mycorrhizal Transplanter All-purpose inoculant containing a broad spectrum of Glomus and Gigaspora mycorrhizae plus Trichoderma spp. fungi and Bacillus spp. bacteria. Ideal for all endo mycorrhizal trees, bedding plants, flowers and vegetables except brassicas. Very easy to apply, MycoForce Transplanter can be premixed with growing media, dusted onto transplants, mixed with seed, put in suspension for drenching plugs and seed beds and mixed with HydroGels for dipping bare roots and cuttings. Pack sizes 10 x 300gms; 1kg; 5kg and 10kg tub. MycoForce Endo Ecto Mycorrhizal Whip Dip With all the microbial power of Transplanter you simply add water to form a paste and dip all bare root trees for faster growth and increased survival. Pack sizes 10 x 300gms; 1kg; 5kg and 10kg tub. MycoForce Endo Mycorrhizal Stress Saver For stressed and distressed mature trees, a micronised powder that stays in suspension for use with injecting equipment for mature fruit, ornamental and landscaped trees. Pack sizes 300gms; 1kg and 5kg tub. MycoForce Ecto Mycorrhizal Inoculant A liquid containing 7 species of ecto mycorrhizae it can be used to inoculate growing media, as a root dip or a drench for existing field and container grown stock, and with ground probe aeration systems to inject stressed mature trees. Use ecto mycorrhizae for conifers, oak, beech, birch, chestnuts, eucalyptus and hickory. Pack size 0.5 litre; 1 litre. Itaska Spruce plant on left inoculated with MycoForce Ecto Mycorrhizal Inoculant Research There are thousands of studies conducted on the benefits of mycorrhizal inoculation of nursery and field crops, trees and vegetables. Ask Symbio for our own research or enter the word mycorrhizae and your plant into your web search engine and you will probably find accredited research on the benefits you are looking for. the life in your soil

4 4 Creating a healthy soil food web Many soils and growing media are quite sterile through design, monoculture or overuse of water, inorganic fertilisers and chemicals. Symbio has developed a range of easy to use products that build up the bacteria, fungi, protozoa, arthropods and nematodes found in healthy soil food webs for all types of growing media from plugs and containers to field grown plants and brownfield landscapes. When your plants grow in healthy soil you benefit from healthier plants, reduced inputs, higher yields, less disease and peace of mind. MycoForce Fungal and Bacterial Inoculants MycoForce TrichoBooster Trichoderma are some of the most common fungi found in healthy soils. They compete against pathogens for nutrients and space, solubilising inorganic nutrients and degrading organic matter. Their activity in the soil increases available plant food, enhances root density and stress resistance, and improves seed germination rates. MycoForce TrichoBooster is a safe liquid containing 4 common species of Trichoderma fungi. It can be sprayed onto growing media, used as a drench or applied through your irrigation system. Pack size 2.5 litre; 10 litre. MycoForce BacillusBooster A bacterial soil and leaf inoculant containing 5 natural Bacillus species including Bacillus subtilis found in productive soils. Bacilli colonise potential disease sites creating a biological barrier against disease in top growth and roots. They also process inorganic and organic soil nutrients making the nutrients and minerals available to the plant. Applied at 75ml per hectare via irrigation systems or to the leaf as a drench. Pack size 1 litre. MycoForce Media Mix A granular combination of Bacillus spp. bacteria and the essential soil fungi Geomyces, Trichoderma and Phanerochaete sp. this highly active microbial combination is an exceptional compost starter and can be mixed with growing media, rootzones, organic and inorganic fertilisers to provide the foundation of the soil food web. MycoForce Media Mix increases growth rates and disease resistance when added to sterile or compromised soils. Pack size 5kg; 10kg; 20kg. MycoForce Compost Starter A combination of bacteria and fungi designed to enhance rapid degradation of green waste. Just add to water and drench the new compost pile or windrow. Applied at 50gms per m 3. Pack size 1kg, 10kg. MycoForce Compost Teas Compost tea is a living aerated solution made from quality screened compost enhanced with added microbial nutrients. The prepared tea teems with billions of beneficial microorganisms, the bacteria, fungi, protozoa and even a few beneficial nematodes that can be applied directly to the leaf surface of a plant as a foliar spray or used as a soil drench to improve the health of your soil. The advantages of compost tea over packaged inoculants is that you get a complex microbial soup, suited to your temperature and water conditions that is far more powerful and wide ranging than an individual inoculant. The tea also contains the vital higher soil organisms that cannot be provided in a packaged product. Symbio supplies all the ingredients needed to make bacterial or fungaldominant teas. Fungal dominant teas are for drenching the soil to create a healthy food web. Bacterial dominant teas are for foliar The Symbio 720 BioBrewer brew kit for your own soil food web. application or soil drench for bacterial dominant plants such as brassicas. Ideal for use in both organic and conventional growing systems compost tea may be applied to all soils. Symbio 720 BioBrewer The Symbio 720 BioBrewer is exceptionally easy to clean and maintain and makes enough compost tea to treat from 1 to 14 hectares. Each brew takes between hours and should be used within 4 hours of manufacture. The Symbio 25 BioBrewer The 25 BioBrewer is ideal for the smaller nursery or landscape project producing enough Compost Tea to cover up to 5,000m 2. Symbio Compost Tea Brew packs We supply both fungal and bacterial dominant compost made to exacting standards that contains the components of the soil food web plus all the activating nutrients required to develop wide range of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and beneficial nematodes. Symbio BioBrewer Cleaner It is imperative that your BioBrewer is cleaned after use. The BioBrewer Cleaner is specially designed to remove residual biomass. We can analyse your compost tea and soils for the components of the soil food web (see analysis on page 7) to make sure you create the tea most suited to your crops. For best results use compost tea with MycoForce Mycorrhiza, HumicBooster, Liquid Seaweed and Vermicompost

5 Soil and Plant Nutrition Plants grown in living soil need less fertiliser than those grown in chemical systems. Best results are obtained with slower release, organic or inorganic fertilisers. All Symbio products can be used with all fertilisers currently available, though we recommend that application rates are reduced sometimes by up to 50% to maximise the benefits of microbial action. Symbio s technical advisors will be pleased to help you develop nutrition programmes to fit your plants and circumstances. Calabrese Roxette the top plants drenched with MycoForce Transplanter all other parameters the same Symbio HumicBooster A 100% water soluble humate containing 90% humate including fulvic acid, soluble potassium 10% and iron 1%. Humate, humic and fulvic acids are essential food for fungi and a stimulant for plant growth and soil structure. HumicBooster can be applied as a foliar feed or soil drench via irrigation systems or spray tank and mixed with liquid fertilisers, pesticides and other biostimulants. Applied at 1-5 litres per hectare. Pack size 10kg tub 25kg sack. Symbio Liquid Seaweed A highly concentrated liquid seaweed that can be mixed with all fertilisers and liquid applications. Dry matter 40%; Density 1,21%; N1,17% P 2O % K 2O 3.88%; CaO 0.14% MgO 0.6%; SO 3 0.8% LAMINARIUM 2.14% MANNITOL 6.12%; BETAIN 3.60%. Content in ppm Fe 33.00; Cu 1.00; Mn 8.70 Mo 0.10; Zn Pack size 10 litres; 200 litres. Symbio MycoGro Complete Organic Fertiliser A starter fertiliser to put life into sterile soil. Contains Soil Association Approved composted poultry manure with 75% humus, plus Mycorrhizal fungi, Trichoderma Sp, Bacillus Sp. Ideal for herbs, bedding plants, and trees. MycoGro Complete contains immediate plus slow release nutrients plus all the trace elements plants need for strong growth. It also puts the foundation of the soil food web into sterile and compromised soils. Pack size 20kg sacks and 500kg big bags. We will be pleased to add any combination of slow release fertiliser to the base Symbio Vermicompost Symbio Vermicompost is made by combining finely screened compost rich in organic NPK with 15% vermicompost. Vermicompost is made by earthworms that ingest, degrade and humify organic matter. Vermicompost contains nutrients and trace elements that are slowly released but readily taken up by plants. Rich in humus and fulvic acids which stimulate greater plant growth than can be created by mineral nutrients alone Vermicompost has a high cation exchange capacity providing strong Vermicompost absorbability and retention of water and nutrients. It is an ideal fertiliser for all trees, and plants transplanted into compromised landscape soils. Pack size 25kg sack and 500kg big bags. Symbio TraceOlite A zeolite rich in added trace elements Symbio TraceOlite re-mineralises soil, increases CEC, reduces leaching and improves water retention. P %; K 2O 2.9%; FeO 10% MgO 5.4%; CaO 5.5%; MnO 1.0%; S03 2.5%; TiO 1.5%; Al 2O %; SiO % Cu 250ppm; Mo 120ppm; Zn 190ppm. Pack size 25kg sack. Onions top left treated with MycoForce Transplanter Inorganic Nutrients We supply a complete range of slow release, soluble and liquid formulations with seaweed and humic acid from stock or made to your own requirements in minimum orders or 250kg or 200 litres. For full details of the Symbio fertiliser range see our fertiliser brochure. the life in your soil Penstemon Garnet trial plants treated with Symbio MycoForce Transplanter and Media Mix exhibit approx 33% more growth

6 6 Stress and Disease Management Healthy plants grown in biologically active soil are less susceptible to most of the pathogens that attack commercially grown plants. However we can also stimulate a plants own natural defences against disease and stress with Alexin Plus. Alexin Plus Is a new and natural solution to old problems. Alexin Plus is a bioflavonoid/organic acid complex that stimulates the immune system in plants promoting strong growth and disease resistance. Plants defend themselves against drought stress, viral, fungal and bacteria attack through the production of phytoalexins. Phytoalexins are antitoxins naturally produced by the plant. Phytoalexins are produced rapidly once the plant is under attack. Sometimes the natural mechanism of the plant is not able to control an attack because the pathogens swamp the phytoalexins under abnormal growing conditions. Reduced production of phytoalexins is due to several factors including: Plant stress; excessive use of synthetic agrochemicals e.g. pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and synthetic fertilisers; temperature humidity and climate. Alexin Plus contains bioflavonoids, synergised with organic acids which act as elicitors to activate and enhance the plants production of phytoalexins to counter the risk of damage from pathogenic attack. Alexin plus works within the plant in conjunction with mycorrhizae and beneficial soil microbes to protect the plant from stress to produce a better more disease resistant plant. Alexin Plus also increases the brix level, often within 5 days of application, and increases the uptake of trace elements. We will be pleased to provide trials data on the use of Alexin plus on fruit trees, berries, bedding plants and tubers. Plants to the left- were treated with fertiliser and Alexin Plus. Plants to the right-hand were only treated with general fertiliser. Irrigation and Water Management Symbio Blue Water A very easy to apply biological treatment for blanket weed, unicellular algae and organic sludge in irrigation ponds and tanks, and fish and ornamental ponds. Symbio Blue Water is a natural formulation of bacteria and enzymes contained in a water soluble sachet. One 200gm sachet treats 800m 3. Simply throw the sachet into the pond. For smaller ponds we supply 28gm sachets for up to 25m 3. Pack size 6 x 28gm; 8 x 200gm; 25 x 200gm. Symbio Hydrogels Water retaining polymers which hold large quantities of water in sandy soils, applied at 1gm per litre of soil. Pack size 25kg. Symbio HydroAid Plus A non ionic wetting agent that quickly removes the waxes and proteins that causes hydrophobic conditions. HydroAid Plus helps water permeate soils. HydroAid Plus may be mixed with any liquid solution to aid dispersal or penetration or be used by itself to cut down on water use. Applied at 10 litres per hectare. Pack sizes 10 litres; 200 litres. Symbio SuperClean A powerful highly concentrated enzymatic cleaner that removes algae from paths and glass. It will not harm plants at the recommended application rate and can be applied manually or by spray, or cleaning machine. Pack size 1 litre; 5 litres Cleaning Symbio SuperSan SuperSan is a unique non-toxic sanitiser that will not harm plants in normal use. SuperSan contains a naturally derived biocide from citrus extracts and natural enzymes to eliminate biofilm. SuperSan is effective against a wide range of gram positive and gram-negative bacteria, viruses, yeasts and fungi. Used neat. Pack sizes 5 Litres; 200 litres

7 Soil Food Web Analysis Take the guesswork out of soil management 7 Healthy plants grow best in healthy soil. Most plants release at least 50% of their food energy underground. The key to growing healthy grass and plants is to develop the soil food web of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes and the many other organisms that recycle this energy. The benefits are sustainable growth in microbially enhanced soil with efficient nutrient uptake and reduced disease and drought damage to the plant. The Soil Foodweb laboratory at Laverstoke Park gives you the knowledge to develop the correct balance of organisms for your plants to maximize the potential of this free energy for outstanding results. Total Bacteria and Total Fungi The optimal bacterial and fungal biomass in the soil varies according to plant, climate and season; if it is not within this range, bacterial or fungal inoculants or foods may be required. Active Bacteria and Active Fungi Only the bacteria and fungi which are currently metabolizing organic compounds are directly nourishing the plants; if this portion is too low, inoculants or foods may be Betula in poor landscape soils. The plant on the right is inoculated with MycoForce Ecto Mycorrhiza required to stimulate the dormant bacterial or fungal population. Different plants require different ratios of active fungi:active bacteria. This test allows you to get the optimum ratio for your plants. Mycorrhizal Colonization: These fungi increase the nutrient uptake capacity of the plant and protect it against pathogens. We determine what percentage of your roots are colonised, and also look for signs of disease and other damage. Qualitative Assessment: This fast evaluation does not provide actual counts or biomass of organisms, but based on a visual scan of populations tells you whether your bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes are present in excellent, good, adequate, or poor numbers. Leaf Surface Assay: Measures the bacteria and fungi on the leaf an important test for disease management. Protozoa: Flagellate, amoeba and ciliate protozoans are singlecelled organisms that feed upon bacteria and excrete nitrogen in the plant available form of ammonium, so are essential to healthy plant growth. Ciliates, feed preferentially on anaerobic bacteria, so a high ciliate population may indicate anaerobic conditions. Nematodes: A very large group of very small worms, these are everywhere on earth. Of the soil-dwelling species most graze on bacteria and fungi, recycling nitrogen in plant available form. Some prey on other nematodes and a few cause significant crop damage. We count the number in a given weight of soil, and identify them to genus and function. Ecto Mycorrhizae around tree roots For information on collection and submission of all samples please contact Symbio or your local technical advisor for details. the life in your soil

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