Importance of Giving Biologicals a Head Start

Within past decade or so, the biological crop protection market has expanded at an unprecedented rate. The use of microorganisms naturally found in soil and plant surfaces is not exactly a new growing technique, however advances in technology of detecting, isolating, culturing, packaging and storing beneficial microbes has led to a myriad of options in biological controls. It seems like every crop protection company in the industry has some form or another of biological control whether it be for soil application, root dip, foliar spray, and more. The use of these products has shown great efficacy in helping to control plant diseases, promote growth and vigor, make soil-bound nutrients available to plant, increase yield and many more benefits. These products are especially important in certified organic operations where conventional control options are not allowed.

Biological crop protection products are natural, living microorganisms (such as TerraGrow) we apply for our benefit whether it be to the soil or foliage of the plant. Just like any other organisms, they have necessities to sustain life and often times must compete against other naturally occurring microorganisms already present in the soil or on the foliage of plants to establish their own colony and thrive.

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Many times, these naturally occurring microorganisms already present are the same ones doing harm to our crops – phytophthora, Pythium, mildews, molds, botrytis, bacterial wilt, speck, spot and on and on. In recent years, we have found ways to give our beneficial microbes a big head start by taking out the bad guys first, giving our growers a much bigger “bang for your buck” when using biological crop protection.

Whether applying a beneficial microbe product to either soil through drip irrigation, foliar spray, or root dip, it is important to take out any naturally occurring “bad guys” before introducing your “good guys” into the environment. When doing this, you need to use a product that offers a strong contact kill but leaves no residual behind to harm your good guys. Think of “Out with the bad, in with the good” on a microscopic level. This practice is similar to the idea of a controlled burn in pasture lands and open plains – clearing the way for the establishment of new, healthy, beneficial growth.

This is where organic contact kill oxidizers like OxiDate2.0 for foliar sprays, and TerraClean5.0 or TerraStart (new) for soil treatment manufactured by BioSafe Systems can make an absolute world of difference. These products offer different combinations of hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid, specifically engineered for their intended uses in agriculture. They are highly effective contact kill oxidizers that break down to leave nothing behind other than oxygen and water. You can spray OxiDate2.0 on foliage of plants or apply TerraClean5.0 or TerraStart to soil ahead of your biological applications to safely clean the area for easy colonization with no competition. OxiDate2.0 should be foliar sprayed at a 1% solution (1:100 v/v) followed by your beneficial microbes when dry, and TerraClean5.0 can be applied via drip at 1-2 GPA. TerraStart is a pre-plant soil treatment for conventional growing operations to be used in place of fumigant options. OxiDate2.0 and TerraClean5.0 both offer 0-REI and 0-PHI and can be used all season long from planting to harvest to enhance your Integrated Pest Management program.

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Many growers working with these products are reporting very exciting and prosperous feedback since incorporating them into their program and are realizing a better return on their money with biological control. If employing beneficial biological microbes for safe and sustainable crop protection this season, be sure to give them a big head start. Your beneficial microbes as well as your bottom line will be happy you did!

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