Treat the Cause not the symptom A few facts about Novozymes Biologicals Bu sin ess d ivisio n o f No vo zym es w it h it s o w n R& D, Manufacturing, Sales & Marketing, Administration Headquartered in Virginia, USA 2003 sales of ~DKK 260-270 million (+30% ) 220 employees 175 in USA 15 in Europe 30 in Asia Develops, manufactures and sells microbial products for non-food, non-pharma use M ain market segments are Institutional and Household (I&H) Industrial Waste Treatment (IWT) Plan t Care (PC) 4
Plant Management = Balancing Stress Soil Plants Environment Management Tools
Plant Management = Balancing Stress Soil Plants Environment Water Management Tools Pests
The Soil healthy soil = healthier plants = LESS STRESS Unlocking the magic of nature
Soil Quality Indicators Physical Chemical Biological Structure ph Respiration rate Bulk density CEC Earthworms Drainage Plant-available nutrients Microbial numbers Water infiltration rate Organic matter Microbial biomass Water-holding capacity Soluble salts Species diversity Soil strength Contaminants pathogens
Soil Biological Component Least understood Least considered in management programs Most effected by environment Most important to plant health Most affected by human activity
Detrimental to Soil Microbial Populations Tillage Anaerobic conditions low O 2 Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers Reduced plant health from stress Low plant biomass Low organic matter content Soil sterilization High ph Salinity Low or unbalanced soil nutrition
Beneficial to Soil Microbial Populations Healthy plants = more roots = more exudates = greater microbial activity Organic matter Balanced nutrition Adequate moisture Porous soil structure with aggregation - O 2 Environmental consistency Organism diversity/richness
Soil Microbe Function Necessary for soil structure Nutrient management (efficiency, sustainability) Organic Matter management (recycling) Soil component (biomass) Moisture management Production of inhibitory compounds
by Elaine Ingham, Soil Foodweb
Just what are the benefits of microbes to plant health?
Microbial Need to Knows How to get the most out of Professionals Mycorrhizae Bacteria Unlocking the magic of nature
Mycorrhizae fungus root 98% of all land plants form mycorrhizae! Unlocking the magic of nature
Mycorrhizae Colonizes roots and extend the surface area Form beneficial relationship with plant Plant supplies carbon compounds Increases nutrient (P) and moisture availability Increases Calcium stability in the soil Increases tolerance to stresses Sustainable for periods of time
World s largest organism is a fungus! Found in Michigan Estimated to be over 1,500 years old Weighs in excess of 100 tons Occupies over 13 acres of land.
Types of mycorrhiza Vesicular Arbuscular (VAM or endo) herbaceous plants non coniferous or hardwoods grass species (turfgrass) Ecto- conifers hardwoods
Mycorrhizal Fungi Stress tolerance Nutrient availability Nutrient sustainability Moisture availability Root mass Perpetual
Bacteria where numbers do make a difference Selected Bacteria Colonizing Grass Root Normander et al., 1999, J. App.Env.Micro. 65: 4646
Documented microbial benefits: Increased uptake of NPK; Nitrogen fixation Produces plant hormone building blocks (phytohormone precursors) Production of enzymes (e.g., cellulase, amylase, protease) for breakdown of soil organic matter Natural chelating agents (siderophore production) Stimulates stress reduction agents (Super Oxide Dismutase) Improves photosynthetic efficiency/chlorophyll production Production of adhesive compounds that contribute in soil structure
Bacteria Types Gram (+) spore forming dormant stage, stable, less environmentally impacted, longevity of viability, spore and vegetative stages Gram (-) non spore forming, active organism, less stable, environmentally impacted, vegetative stage only
Concentration Does Count 10 9 = 1000000000 10 5 = 100000 10 5 is 0.01% of 10 9
Technology Concept Microbial inoculation of plant Root Colonization Subset population of key microbes Bacteria Root Inoculated Bacteria
Growth and Survival of Inoculated Bacteria Time (weeks)
Microbes in the Rhizophere Bacteria Fungal Disease Root (R. J. Cook; Washington State U.)
Microbial Biofungicide Same Genus and Species, different subspecies Different Results Not all bacteria provide the same benefit DNA fingerprinting Quality control
Treat the Cause not the symptom unlocking the magic of nature