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Microbial Bacteria in the Plant

Crop production can be reduced to three distinct areas:

  1. Chemical 
  2. Physical
  3. Biological

According Science Direct, Journal of Advanced Research[1], “Due to the interesting functional potential of plant microbiota as well as due to current challenges in crop production there is an urgent need to bring microbial innovations into practice. (Science Direct, 2019).

Benefits of Microbial Bacteria

In order to maximize yield and production, each of these areas must be properly addressed. Microbes (bacteria and fungi) reside in the soil and have a symbiotic relationship with plants. Plants release nutrients into the soil that nearby microbes can consume. This causes microbes to release other nutrients into the soil that in turn help the plant to grow.

Having diverse microbiomes provides a greater variety and amount of nutrients to the plant when compared to a microbiome that does not contain as much variability. In terms of agriculture and farming, having a diverse microbiome has been proven to have the following effects[2]

  • Enhanced nutrient mineralization and uptake of nutrients
  • Resilience against biotic and biotic stress
  • Boosted plant immunity
  • Production of hormones and other signaling molecules
  • More robust germination
  • Stimulated plant growth
  • Improved soil health

The American Society for Microbiology[3] has said, “Bacteria benefit from the plant nutrients provided by the roots, but plants can benefit from their rhizobacteria as well. Bacteria known as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) are diverse and represent a wide range of phyla. They also perform a wide variety of growth-promoting functions… However, microbes within a plant’s rhizosphere provide more than just beneficial nutrients for plants. Some bacteria serve as a first line of plant’s defense against pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and other parasites. Pseudomonas species have been implicated as protective bacteria that suppress root-fungus disease. Streptomyces diastatochromogenes produces an antibiotic that inhibits the growth of potato scab disease-causing bacteria. Bacillus thuringiensis helps protect plants from a common plant pest, fungus gnats. When eaten by fungus gnat larvae, B. thuringiensis spores germinate in the insect gut and begin producing insecticidal crystal-forming proteins” (ASM, 2018). 

Microbial Bacteria in the Plant
Source: Science Direct [1]

How to Increase Microbial Bacteria

AgriTec International has performed research trials on the effects our products have on microbial activity. 

In replicated research studies performed by the Irrigation Research Foundation in Yuma, CO, the active ingredients in Bio-Act proved to increase corn yields by an average of 7.5 bushels an acre. 

In additional replicated studies performed in Orange City, MO, the active ingredients in Bio-Act yielded an average increase of 5.1 bushels an acre of soybeans over the control. 

Both Bio-Act and Folar-Act are proven to increase biological activity within the soil.

Bio-Act is a nutritional plant supplement that can be used as a soil treatment, seed start, or foliar feed. Bio-Act contains a blend of micro-nutrients and minerals that provide a unique source of nutrition to the plant and to the soil. This blend of micro-nutrients also contains humic acid which provides valuable nutrition for the plant and adds feed value to the crop. 

Bio-Act boosts plant growth and production by amplifying: photosynthesis, adding high carbon energy to the soil, increasing plant immune systems, and much more. Bio-Act can be applied directly to the soil, pre-green up, or as a foliar feed to add an instant source of nutrition for the plant.

Folar-Act is designed for rapid absorption on the plant’s leaf surface, the nutrients and growth stimulants in Folar-Act boosts plant health much like a multivitamin supports human health. Timely Folar-Act applications during vegetative and reproductive stages in crop development increase nutrient uptake, strengthen plant’s natural defense system and establish larger root systems with stronger stalks and high yields. 

It’s also important to note: in recovery from extreme temperatures, adverse weather conditions, disease, insect pressure, or inadequate and imbalanced plant nutrition, Folar-Act increases yield and crop quality, plus provides a return on investment that is unmatched in the industry. 

When applied to the leaf surface, the active ingredients in Folar-Act trigger natural biological processes that create an explosion of beneficial microbial growth. The increased enzymatic and microbial activity works to release insoluble nutrients in the soil and convert them to a soluble form plants can utilize. By improving the availability and uptake of applied fertilizers and those nutrients presently in the soil, Folar-Act helps “Get what you’re paying for” out of the soil and into the plant.

Benefits of Folar-Act and Bio-Act: 

  • Better yields, higher test weight, and greater crop quality.
  • Triggers an explosion of beneficial soil bacteria which speeds up the breakdown of crop residue, builds humus and improves soil structure, drainage, and tilth.
  • Increases healthy indigenous microbial activity in the soil or growing medium with increases of 3400% demonstrated within three days of application.
  • Improves nutrient release and solubility by up to 60% compared to non-treated soils by speeding up the breakdown and improving the availability of both naturally occurring and applied nutrients. Depending on the soil tests levels, growers may be able to reduce P & K inputs up to 50%. 
  • Improves germination, plant emergence, and promotes vigorous root growth up to 50%. 
  • Elevates the plants’ natural defense mechanisms, improving plant health, minimizing disease, insect pressure and weather related stress. Many growers with disease pressure report a reduction in fungicide use by 50% or more. 
  • Offsets the negative effect of glyphosate by minimizing “yellow flash” and reducing soil pathogen counts including Fusarium and Pythium species. 
  • Lowers sodium levels in the soil and has shown to reduce nematode counts.
  • Derived from many different types of beneficial bacteria–including aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms–the product is effective in both well-drained and tight soils. 
  • A source of essential micronutrients, proteins, enzymes, amino acids, and complex carbohydrates not available in ordinary fertilizers. Can be easily applied in conjunction with other liquid applications, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers through ground, air, or fertigation systems. 
  • When stored properly, Folar-Act has a shelf life of four years without losing effectiveness. 

Liquid Calcium in the Plant

While Folar-Act and Bio-Act increase biological activity, Bio-Activated Liquid Calcium is proven to be a “trucker nutrient”. Meaning increased levels of calcium enables a higher concentration of other nutrients to get into the plant and soil. 

Pro-Cal liquid calcium: 

Pro-Cal provides a reliable and effective source of calcium to the soil, compared to ag-lime, but in a more precise, fast-acting manner. 

While lime is traditionally applied to the soil to supply needed calcium and raise pH levels, new research by 7 of the top Ag Universities have shown that this method is not the most efficient way to supply calcium to the soil. The old method is slow, taking months for the lime to break down and release the calcium into the soil. Many times, the lime being applied will never fully supply the soil with the calcium it needs in order to adjust soil pH to desired levels. Liquid calcium works faster and more effectively than lime, because with liquid calcium, the nutrient has been purified and separated from the substances such as rock that have no effect on soil pH.

Pro-Cal is the first step in treating any field. Before fertilizer is applied or seed is planted, it is important to prepare the soil. 95% of soil naturally has a low soil pH. Low pH leads to lost fertilizer, bound up nutrients, slowed growth, and dramatically decreased or lack of production. By raising soil pH you are ensuring that your plant gets the most out of the soil, you have thick full growth, and money isn’t being lost by bound up nutrients in the soil. Pro-Cal not only raises your pH immediately while using the same nutrients as lime, but maintains that neutral state to ensure many growing season of the best production and efficient soil.

Sources:

[1] Compant, S. C., Samad, A. S., Faist, H. F., & Sessitsch, A. S. (2019, September). A review on the plant microbiome: Ecology, functions, and emerging trends in microbial application. Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123219300700

[2] Talburt, S. (2020, November). The Importance of Microbial Communities in Agriculture. https://agrigro.com/the-importance-of-microbial-communities-in-agriculture/

[3] Plants and the bacteria at the root of it all. (2018, April). American Society for Microbiology. https://asm.org/Articles/2018/April/plants-and-the-bacteria-at-the-root-of-it-all