Technology Can Help You Build Soil Health. Here is How.>>
Soil is the main and most valuable resource for a farmer. They rely on it for the support of their families and the sustainability of their operation for future generations. But as well-meaning as they can be, it is known that some modern agriculture systems can negatively impact the soil. Soil tillage, chemical applications, and continuous mono-cropping systems are all examples of practices that can generate significant stress and deteriorate soil health in the long run.
To understand how these impacts happen, we have to comprehend that soils are a living mechanism, highly influenced by what we do and the practices we adopt.
Soil health is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. Soil is not an inert growing medium – it is a living and life-giving natural resource. It is teaming with billions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that are the foundation of an elegant symbiotic ecosystem. (USDA)
The bacteria, fungi, and microbes naturally found in the soil are an ally to soil health. They form communities throughout soils to act as a catalyst for greater nutrient exchange, compaction, and quality. Applying supportive practices to uplift the beneficial bacteria already found in the soil has profound effects on the long-term benefits.
In supporting soil microbial activity, incoming crops will in turn strengthen their existing symbiotic relationship with various bacteria, creating a solid foundation for the crops to grow upon.
Pioneer in Biological Solutions
By understanding this symbiosis, several ag industry players have invested in research to enhance soil biology as a means to grow better crops. TIMAC AGRO, a pioneer in natural extracts-based technologies, is at the forefront of innovation for biologicals, having introduced its first biostimulant line to the market back in the 1980s. In a 60+ year-old company, biologicals have been part of the portfolio for two-thirds of its existence.
Throughout the past four decades, TIMAC AGRO has continuously invested in research, creating more innovation but also validating the patented technologies that have succeeded in fields across the world.
Different Applications, One Goal
Several TIMAC AGRO technologies have the additional benefit of improving soil health, by the way our patented technologies interact with soil microorganisms. This advantage can be found in fertilizer additives, soil conditioners, or biostimulants. See below, three categories of products and how they improve soil health.
DUO MAXX®
DUO MAXX is the world’s first NPK stabilizer with a microbial activator. It is a combination of our patented phenolic binding compound, MPPA®, nitrogen stabilizer, and the patented Duo Complex. This formulation ensures maximum below-ground protection against nutrient loss.
Main Components:
- MPPA is designed to stabilize primary and secondary nutrients by binding and protecting them from loss and(or) retrograde tie-up
- Contains a combination of NBPT and DCD designed to slow nitrogen transformation
- Formulated with the patented Duo Complex, which stimulates soil microbial activity and improves N and P availability in the rhizosphere
The use of fertilizer is necessary to maintain the production levels for adequate food production, unfortunately, this can often cause environmental challenges. DUO MAXX has been shown to reduce the volatility, denitrification and leaching of nitrogen. It has also been shown to keep P available in the soil and reduce runoff.
By protecting fertilizer elements from loss/tie‐up and improving microbial interactions with root growth/function, DUO MAXX can dramatically enhance nutrient uptake.
Duo Complex
The Duo Complex is a specifically isolated strain that promotes root exudates, the colonization of native rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungal populations and, thus, increases plant nutrient uptake and promotes soil health. The Duo Complex also impacts physiological root development by signaling root elongation and soil exploration.
The 16srRNA (bacterial population RNA abundance) and 18srRNA (fungal population RNA abundance) correspond directly to the populations in the soil, indicating DUO MAXX increased the soil bacterial and fungal populations. Healthy bacterial and fungal soil populations have been shown to increase nutrient availability, suppress soil-born diseases and improve plant health.
Improved Soil Health and Nutrient Availability
A Haney Soil Test conducted in 2022 compared identical fertilizer programs, one with and one without DUO MAXX. The DUO MAXX treated fertilizer exhibited:
- +80% increase in soil CO2 – a measure of microbial activity
- +23% increase in soil available Phosphorus
- +52% increase in soil available Nitrogen
- DUO MAXX led to an additional +44.5 units N & +12.5 units P available for crops
Application
DUO MAXX can be applied directly to dry fertilizer or be mixed in with liquid fertilizers, resulting in very easy use with existing equipment and many placements in nutrient management plans.
HUMIFLORE
HUMIFLORE is a soil conditioner proven to increase microbial activity, provide labile calcium, and improve the breakdown of compost, manure, and/or stubble into plant-available nutrients. As a homogeneous granule, it supplies several key nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Improved Calcium Source
HUMIFLORE’s calcium is much more soluble and plant-available than conventional lime and gypsum because of its highly porous honeycomb structure. It also provides great microbial activity inside the honeycomb structure, increasing nutrient release as a result.
Pheoflore Complex
HUMIFLORE is powered by the patented Pheoflore Complex, composed of seaweed extracts containing amino-purines, carbohydrates, and other bioactive compounds, directly stimulating soil microbes to increase organic matter breakdown and nutrient bioavailability.
Application
FERTIACTYL®
FERTIACTYL is a proprietary blend of activated humic substances, precision seaweed extracts and plant nutrients designed to facilitate ideal growth conditions for establishment and a strong start. The formulations are designed to provide the plant with a critical nutritional and physiological boost at early growth stages during times of stress. The FERTIACTYL series is available in different formulas that provide specific nutrient combinations to match a crop’s unique requirements.
GZA Complex
The GZA Complex, found in all FERTIACTYL formulas, is a patented plant extraction that is extremely high in cytokines, auxins, glycine betaine, zeatin, and salicylic acid. Its main benefits are:
- Stimulates soil microbial biomass and community diversity to help with nutrient availability and increase root development early in the season
- Reduces plant stress and maximizes establishment in cold weather
- Increases stand and germination that can lead to yield increases
Soil Health Improvements
Recent data suggests the many benefits of FERTIACTYL for soil microbial communities in the rhizosphere.
A study conducted by Biome Makers presented as key takeaways:
- Biodiversity increased in the FERTIACTYL treatment relative to the control, particularly fungal biodiversity. Microbiome resilience also increased in the treatment.
- FERTIACTYL demonstrated improvements of 10% or greater in the overall nitrogen pathway, iron mobilization, organic P mobilization, and calcium mobilization.
- Plant health metrics that increased by 10% or more included exopolysaccharide production and salicylic acid production.
Application
All FERTIACTYL products can be applied in-furrow, banded, or side-dressed. They can also be applied foliar during early vegetative development.
Count on Us to Improve Your Soil Health
Contact a TIMAC AGRO Agronomic Technical Consultant to discuss the best product fit to improve your soils and your crops.