Understanding Soil Health and the Impact of Mycorrhizae on Crop Performance Retailer and PCA Training Session August 2018 Note: If disconnected, call 1-800-275-2414 2018 Valent U.S.A. LLC. All rights reserved.
Moderator Krista Rose Krista has a bachelor s degree in horticulture from The Pennsylvania State University She spent 10 years with Ciba-Geigy and Novartis as a Sales Manager, Training Specialist and Sales Representative. In addition, she and her husband have owned and managed a cow-calf operation since 1997. Krista joined Beck Ag in 1999 and has moderated and managed agricultural projects across a wide variety of crops and disciplines. She is also a writer with Beck Ag and is a key lead for the Market Instruction initiatives. 2
Panelists Hunter Francis, MS Director and founder of the Center for Sustainability in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. Craig Campbell, MS Senior Field R&D Scientist, Valent U.S.A. LLC Kevin Forney, MS Product Development, Valent U.S.A. LLC Fred Marmor, MS Field Market Development Specialist, Valent U.S.A. LLC 3
How to ask Questions To ask questions during the discussion: Press Star 1 on your touchtone phone and the operator will open your line so you can ask your question directly to the panelists. For webinar participants: Type in a question online and the moderator will present your question to the panelists. 4
Participating with Poll Everywhere How to vote via the web or text messaging From any browser: Pollev.com/kristarose308 TEXT to 22333:kristarose308 Pollev.com/kristarose308 kristarose308 5
The Importance of Soil Health Soil Health - the continued capacity of the soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans ( Source: USDA NRCS, 2012; Soil Renaissance 2014)
Soil Health is Vital to Sustainability Soil Health - the continued capacity of the soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans ( Source: USDA NRCS, 2012; Soil Renaissance 2014) 70 percent of the world s topsoil is gone. Food production must increase by 70 percent between now and 2050 to feed the growing world population. 40% OF SOIL USED FOR AGRICULTURE AROUND THE WORLD IS EITHER DEGRADED OR SERIOUSLY DEGRADED Each year we lose about 100,000 km2 (over 24 million acres) of cropland due to soil erosion. If we continue on the same trajectory, we will produce 30 percent less food over the next 20 to 50 years. Source: United Nations Global Opportunity Report (2017), FAO estimates www.globalopportunitynetwork.org 7
Soil Health is the Foundation Soil is a dynamic interface between living things, air, rock and water. Soil includes the active interactions between its parts--physical, biological, and chemical. The soil s function, as a foundation of the ecosystem it is part of, depends on its characteristics. Source: Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health Cornell Framework, 2017 8
Healthy vs Unhealthy Soil Healthy Soil Has: Good soil tilth Small population of Sufficient depth plant pathogens and Good water storage insect pests and good drainage Large population of Sufficient supply, but beneficial organisms not excess of nutrients Low weed pressure Unhealthy Soil Has: Soil compaction Poor aggregation Weed pressure High pathogen pressure Low water and nutrient retention Salinity and sodicity Heavy metal contamination Source: Cornell University Soil Health Manual (2016) bit.ly/soilhealthtrainingmanual 9
Managing Soil Health Managing for soil health (improved soil function) is mostly a matter of maintaining suitable habitat for the myriad of creatures that comprise the soil food web. Manage more by disturbing soil less Diversify soil biota with plant diversity Biodiversity Keep a living root growing throughout the year (cover crops) Keep the soil covered as much as possible A fully functioning soil produces the maximum amount of products at the least cost. Maximizing soil health is essential to maximizing profitability. Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service. Backyard Conservation NRCS, www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/health/mgnt/. 10
The Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi
What are Mycorrhizal Fungi? Myco-rhiza, which literally means fungus-root, was coined in 1885 1 Biologists think mycorrhizae have been around for 600 million years 1 Earliest fossils of mycorrhizae date back to 460 million years ago 1 Symbiotic fungi Benefits on soil health-accumulation of soil organic matter and stabilization of soil aggregates 2 80% of all plants on earth form a root-mycorrhizae association 1 Source: 1 Valent U.S.A. LLC 2 Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health Cornell Framework, 2017 12
Pronouncing it! 1. Mycorrhiza-this is the singular noun MY-CO-RYE-ZA We will be studying the structure of a mycorrhiza. 2. Mycorrhizae this is the plural noun of mycorrhiza MY-CO-RYE-ZAY There are many species of mycorrhizae. 3. Mycorrhizal this is an adjective that describes something MY-CO-RYE-ZAL Fungi, hyphae, etc There are multiple species of mycorrhizal fungi. 13
What do Mycorrhizal Fungi Do? Mycorrhizae protect plants from environmental stressors such as drought and nutrient deficiencies. o Mycorrhizae can release tightly bound nutrients, making them available to the plant. Mycorrhizae form a network of hyphae, extending from the root system. o Those hyphae reach nutrients and water outside of the root absorption area, and also in small pores within the soil. Mycorrhizae are composed of: 1. Spores dormant in the soil, producing hyphae when roots begin to grow 2. Hyphae find and form association with roots to expand into the soil for nutrients and water, beyond the root area 3. Vesicles stores resources until needed by the plant 4. Arbuscules transfers resources gathered by hyphae to the plant 14
How Mycorrhizae Interact with the Plant Root Mycorrhizal mycelia (a mass of hyphae) act as an extension of the plant root and more Mycorrhizal mycelia expand the surface areas of roots 50X to find and transport more nutrients and water to the plant which are outside of the root depletion zone. Mycorrhizal mycelia can convert non-bioavailable nutrients into bioavailable nutrients. Root Comparison Depletion zone Source: Understanding the Benefits of Mycorrhizae in Manufactured Soils, Soil, Mulch and Soil Council OCTOBER 20-22 2015 presentation, Jeff Anderson, MYCORRHIZAL APPLICATIONS Source: Valent U.S.A. LLC. 15
Four Unique Species of Mycorrhizae Groups Benefits Glomus mosseae Glomus aggregatum Glomus intraradices Glomus etunicatum Yield Increase Increases crop yield Nutrient Uptake Root Improvement Plant Physiology Plant Tolerance Increases Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake X X X Enzyme activity increases access micro nutrient uptake X X Tolerant of high fertility levels Increases root and soil enyzme activity Promotes root health X X Improves drought tolerance X X Improves plant establishment Increases flowering and fruiting X X Improves performance of palms and fruit trees Improves performance in woody perennials Improves plant performance in sandy soils Improves plant salinity tolerance Improves plant tolerance to a wide array of soil toxicities Source: Valent U.S.A. LLC. X X X X X X X X X Not all species of mycorrhizae offer the same benefit to the plant 16
Soil Health Challenges Just a teaspoon of healthy soil may contain several miles of fungal hyphae needed for optimal growth. More intensively managed lands often lack adequate populations of mycorrhizal fungi. Typical modern agricultural practices that reduce the biological activity of mycorrhizal fungi in soil: Tillage or any soil excavation Disruption of soil damages or reduces naturally occurring mycorrhizae population Rotation to crops that do not support mycorrhizae will reduce populations of mycorrhizae because there is no host crop to survive on Soil fumigation Once lost from a farm s soil, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi populations are very slow to recolonize, due to the fact that these fungi do not disperse spores in the wind, but grow from root to root. 17
MycoApply EndoMaxx Providing Better Crop Performance Microbial additives have been used commercially in global agriculture for more than 120 years, but interest in this market is increasing. Microbial replenishing of soil is no longer an ecofarming niche occupation, but a way to save billions of dollars. United Nations Global Opportunity Report (2017) www.globalopportunitynetwork.org
What is MycoApply EndoMaxx? Building Better Crop Performance MycoApply EndoMaxx contains four species of mycorrhizae fungi that colonize a plant s root system to promote root mass expansion, nutrient efficiency and drought tolerance for optimal plant health, performance and yield. Root mass expansion expands vascular network beyond roots and into soil by up to 50 times Nutrient efficiency absorbs and transports soil nutrients directly to the root including tightly bound nutrients such as phosphorus and micronutrients Drought tolerance stores resources until needed by the plant and improves water availability and transport OMRI listed and NOP compliant to fit both organic and sustainable production 19
MycoApply EndoMaxx Contains Four Unique Species of Mycorrhizae Groups Benefits Glomus mosseae Glomus aggregatum Glomus intraradices Yield Increase Increases crop yield X Glomus etunicatum Nutrient Uptake Root Improvement Increases Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake X X X Enzyme activity increases access micro nutrient uptake X X Tolerant of high fertility levels X Increases root and soil enyzme activity X Promotes root health X X Improves drought tolerance X X Not all species of mycorrhizae offer the same benefit to the plant Improves plant establishment X Plant Physiology Plant Tolerance Increases flowering and fruiting X X Improves performance of palms and fruit trees Improves performance in woody perennials Improves plant performance in sandy soils Improves plant salinity tolerance Improves plant tolerance to a wide array of soil toxicities Source: Valent U.S.A. LLC. X X X X X 20
MycoApply EndoMaxx Southeast and Western Trial Results
Southeast Watermelon Trial Results Melon counts increased an average of 18.5% with MycoApply EndoMaxx Means followed by the same letters are not statistically different (p<=0.10) 22
Arizona Watermelon Yield Watermelon yields increased 27% per acre with MycoApply EndoMaxx 23
Arizona Watermelon Maturity Watermelon matured 7-9 days earlier with MycoApply EndoMaxx 24
Florida Squash Yield Trial Results Squash yields increased 24% and 28% with MycoApply EndoMaxx Means followed by the same letters are not statistically different (p<=0.10) 25
Georgia Cucumber Grower Trial Results Cucumber crop height increased 24% with MycoApply EndoMaxx 51.3 a 41.4 b Means followed by the same letters are not statistically different (p<=0.10) 26
California Tomato Trial Results Fresh tomato yield increased 25%, and had increased extra large fruit with MycoApply EndoMaxx 27
Yield (tons/acre) California Tomato Trial Results 39.5 39 Processing tomato transplants increased yield 4% with MycoApply EndoMaxx 38.9 b 38.5 38 37.5 37 37.3 37.3 a Brix: 6.2 Brix: 6.3 36.5 Untreated MycoApply EndoMaxx MycoApply Treatment: EndoMaxx @ 5 grams/a 5 grams/a Application Method: Tray Drench Trial Location: Corcoran, CA Means followed by the same letters are not statistically different (p<=0.10) 28
Arizona Tomato Trial Results Processing tomatoes increased root mass over 200% with MycoApply EndoMaxx 2.5 a 29
Arizona Tomato Trial Results Processing tomatoes yields were higher and had a 10% increase in Brix with MycoApply EndoMaxx 30
Yield (Lbs/Plot) Florida Tomato Trial Results Tomato transplants yielded 11% more marketable fruit when MycoApply EndoMaxx was applied at-planting in the transplant water and 36% more from a post-plant drip application. Yield is from all harvests combined. Source: Valent research trial, Vero Beach, FL. 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Fresh tomato yields increased 11% and 36% with MycoApply EndoMaxx 37.7 b Untreated 42.0 ab MycoApply EndoMaxx 4 grams/a (At planting in transplant) 51.2 a MycoApply EndoMaxx 4 grams/a (Subsurface drip tape injection) Means followed by the same letters are not statistically different (p<=0.10) 31
California Bell Pepper Trial Results Bell pepper marketable yields were 13% and 22% higher with MycoApply EndoMaxx tray drench and transplant water application 32
California Bell Pepper Trial Results Bell pepper increased fruit set 19% with MycoApply EndoMaxx 33
Arizona Celery Grower Trial Results Celery yields increased 18%, and 16 count boxes increased 21% with MycoApply EndoMaxx 34
Arizona Celery Grower Trial Results Celery 18-count pack-outs increased almost 100% with MycoApply EndoMaxx 35
Plant Diameter (inches) plant diameter, with the caption; Early season plant growth increased by 21% with MycoApply EndoMaxx. Arizona Celery Grower Trial Results Celery transplants treated with 8 grams/a of MycoApply EndoMaxx as a transplant tray drench 7-10 days prior to transplanting resulted in a 21% increase in plant diameter versus the untreated control. Early season plant growth increased by 21% with MycoApply EndoMaxx Source: Commercial grower trial, Yuma, AZ 36
Arizona Celery Grower Trial Results Celery height, stalk diameter, and trimmed stalk weight all increased with MycoApply EndoMaxx 37
Lb of Marketable Fruit/Plot Florida Strawberry Grower Trial Results 10% Increase in Marketable Strawberries with MycoApply EndoMaxx 35 32.8 30 29.9 MycoApply EndoMaxx Treatment: 4 grams/a drip line Trial Location: Thonotosassa, FL 25 Untreated MycoApply EndoMaxx 4 grams/a drip line 38
MycoApply EndoMaxx How to Use
Application of MycoApply EndoMaxx Application Methods (At Plant or Post Plant) Transplant water Drip injection Pre-slurry recommended Agitation required Application Rates Typical vegetable rates range between 4 and 8 grams per acre, depending on crop and planting densities For specifics, visit Valent.com Packaging Pack size-10 x 160-gram pouches per case, with scoop One pack for 75-150 acres, depending on crop and planting densities Always read and follow label instructions. 40
MycoApply EndoMaxx Message MycoApply EndoMaxx contains four species of mycorrhizae fungi that colonize a plant s root system to promote optimal plant health, performance and yield Root Mass Expansion Nutrient Efficiency Drought Tolerance 41
Grower Demo Opportunity using MycoApply EndoMaxx
Grower Demo Program Who? What? Where? When? Growers who would like to try MycoApply EndoMaxx in their fields at transplant Growers will be invited to participate and will receive an incentive for each of the two times they provide feedback; mid-season and post-harvest Growers will be in your regions and based on your recommendations Demo trials will begin as soon as September in the eastern region Why? Growers like to try before they buy and their use experience will allow you and your other growers to see results first-hand Be sure to signal YES when we gather input at the end of this discussion! 43
Discussion Summary Healthy Soil is comprised of three components physical, chemical and biological Health infers that soil is alive, which is it through the biological component Mycorrhizae is a part of that biology that is essential for optimal productivity Mycorrhizae essentially expands the roots of plants and changes the physiology Increased nutrient and water utilization keep a plant at optimal growth MycoApply EndoMaxx offers growers the benefit of 4 specific mycorrhizal species MycoApply EndoMaxx has shown increased yield, fruit set, earlier maturity, fruit size, box counts, taller plants and other benefits that translate to a healthy ROI Special Demo Program: Your recommended growers will receive product and an incentive for giving feedback twice during the growing season. 44
Thank you for joining us today! Products That Work, From People Who Care valent.com 800-6-VALENT (682-5368) Always read and follow label instructions. Products That Work, From People Who Care is a registered trademark of Valent U.S.A. LLC. MycoApply is a registered trademark of Mycorrhizal Applications LLC. 2018 Valent U.S.A. LLC. All rights reserved. MycoApply EndoMaxx is NOP compliant and OMRI listed for organic production. 45