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Finding a solution to a problem on the farm can be frustrating. You may want to improve yield or fix problem soils, or are tired of fertiliser cost increases. The following text may assist you in finding a solution.
Anhydrous ammonia
Anhydrous ammonia, NH3, interacts with soil water and converts to ammonium hydroxide and ammonium salts. Ammonium cations replace calcium, magnesium and other cations, changing the soil absorption properties; and quite rapidly the ammonia is converted to nitrates by nitrification. Becoming a strong acid, it reduces the pH of the soil, destroying many beneficial soil macro and microorganisms, and slowly the soil dies.
Our liquid carbon, MLC, will counterbalance the negative impact of anhydrous ammonia in the soil, acting as a bio-stimulant for soil microbes. It will help reactivate soil minerals, improve tilth, improve the ventilation of oxygen, carbon dioxide and water in the soil; and improve the water holding capacity of the soil.
MLC treated soil at a pea farm, Victoria.
Azotobactor (active bacteria)
Plant fertility is dependant on photosynthesis and the plants ability to develop and create a root system able to sustain maximum yields. High energy levels will lead to increased microbial life within the rhizosphere (root zone). Microbial life in the soil is the second most important process behind photosynthesis. We must become good stewards of maintaining a healthy soil and creating a better microbial environment. The damage created by overuse of heavy metals and high levels of salt has created new struggles as well as additional cost for the farmer. The expression is always true, “what you put into the soil will come back to the harvester”.
The bases for understanding how Monty’s works in the rhizosphere is too first identify the basis for a good soil structure. The following are points that signify the characteristics of a healthy soil.
• Active bacteria (azotobactor) contribute to the decomposition of organic matter which will make nutrients readily available to the plant.
• Contains a humus that will retain water.
• The soil will bind together to create a porous soil that allows air passage and water retention.
• Balanced cation nutrients and cation exchange capacity.
A second point that needs to be identified is the difference between Monty’s and the traditional fertiliser (chemically derived and heavy salts). These points will help to better understand the processes that have been taking place over the last fifty years.
The rhizosphere is the area microbial activity takes place to create the right environment to grow and develop plants. When soil bacteria develop in this area, and the correct balance is created, the plant can begin exchanging the needed nutrients. Azotobactor bacteria are very important in capturing environmental nitrogen (nitrogen from the atmosphere as well as the soil) and making this nitrogen available to the plant and the root of the plant. The roots of the plant absorb the decomposed bacteria and the phosphates, which become better available because of the natural relationship that takes place in the root zone. Humic acids also stimulate the ability of the azotobactor to acquire nitrogen from the atmosphere. A Russian study (Azotobactor and Its Uses in Agriculture, L.I. Rubenchik) showed that azotobactor would produce vitamins in proper situations where the right nutrients are provided to the soil.
Monty’s contains a high quality carbon source along with essential major and trace elements that make an ideal environment for azotobactor development. The low salts in Monty’s will not limit the development of the bacteria. Too much salt will pull moisture away from the root zone and prevent the development of bacteria. The summary of Monty’s in the rhizosphere can be examined by looking at the reduction of added nitrogen to sustain the same yields as fields using conventional fertiliser.
Hydrophobia
Hydrophobia mostly occurs in sandy soils and is often caused by mulches. When uncomposted mulch sits on the surface of the ground it breaks down and coats each individual grain in the soil with 'mulch residue'. When the soil dries out and you try to moisten it, the coating on the grains won't let the water back in and the soil stays dry.
Monty's own humic substance, Humigin™, aids in the natural biological conditioning that is required to rebuild damaged soils. The Humigin™ in Monty’s Liquid Carbon can serve as a feed source for microbes in the soil, which should have a positive impact on cation exchange in the root zone.
Monty’s and Phosphorus Levels
The focus on phosphorus levels in fertilisers and the problems that over-use of phosphorus in soils become a hazard to the eco-system. The reason for this problem and the solution of using Monty’s can be looked at several ways.
1. The concern for excessive phosphorus in the soil. This mainly came from high uses of poly or mono forms of cheap phosphorus supplies. This form is only available when certain bacteria make contact with the element. These products can suppress and kill soil life and become locked up in the soil. Monty’s contains an ortho form of phosphorus that is readily available to the plant.
2. Some articles and references state that phosphorus is not needed in growing a plant. In some areas the growers have begun eliminating the use of any phosphorus in their fertilisation program. Phosphorus is the most important anion (negative charged nutrient). Balancing phosphorus and nitrogen is very important. Direct foliar phosphorus is an excellent way to spoon-feed plants. Monty’s provides a form of phosphorus that can be absorbed at the rate of 2 parts phosphorus to 1 part nitrogen.
3. The recommended levels of phosphorus are being measured and restricted by growers and municipalities. When Monty’s is being applied per recommendations the following amount is being applied to the soil. 500ml of Monty’s per acre contains less than 125grams of phosphorus per acre.
4. The use of animal manure and the increase in phosphorus levels are a real concern. The form of the phosphorus that comes from chicken manure is a mono form that must be broken down in the soil by bacteria. The mono form of phosphorus will only move about 1 inch per year. Using Monty’s will only add less than 500 grams of phosphorus to an acre and the majority is absorbed immediately by the plant. |
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Humic Technology - Soil Conditioners
Soil Conditioners which contain high quality humic substances like Monty’s Liquid Carbon provide numerous benefits like improving tilth, reducing compaction and hardpan, improving drainage, improving nutrient exchange and availability.
One of the main benefits of humic technology
is the ability to assist you in better utilization
of water. By applying in autumn, you allow the soil to hold any moisture that falls during the course of the winter, while also opening up the soil profile to provide for better drainage.
Imagine a spring where you are not held out
of the field/garden by poor draining soils or find yourself planting into dust hoping for a rain shower. Soils conditioned with a humic-based conditioner offer you the opportunity to improve drainage while holding moisture in the seed zone. This can allow for earlier entry into the field without fear of compaction problems or worries about seed rot prior to germination.
Monty's products contain quality ingredients that promote faster root development, stronger plant growth and increased plant yields.
Soil Biology
Micro-organisms (healthy) can supply plants with all the nitrogen, carbon and trace elements they need if the network of bacteria, fungi and predators that make up the soil web is balanced. Monty’s active ingredient, Humigin™, helps create the ideal environment for this delicate balance.
You (farmers) don’t have to completely stop the use of chemicals altogether to bring biology back into soils. There is no soil type that can’t be improved with better biology. The minerals in the soil are there but the biology to unlock them has been destroyed.
Tillage slices and dices your fungi – that’s the
first backward step. If you don’t resuscitate
those fungi by putting foods back into your
soil to build that fungi biomass, you’re going
backwards and you’re going to have to use
pesticides, inorganic fertilisers because your
not holding the nutrients, your plants are stressed, they’re going to be diseased and you’re going down that chemical downward spiral.
We are trying to get all growers, conventional
and otherwise to start understanding what’s
really going on in their soil so they can have
better yields without the cost, without using
water.
Humic Substances- Seed & Root
Development
The absorption of humic substances into seeds has a positive influence on seed germination and seedlingdevelopment. The application of humic (HAs) or fulvic acids (FAs) to seeds will increase the seed germination; resulting in higher seed germination rates.
Application rates of humic acids or fulvic acids, required for improved seed germination, range from 20 to 100 mg/litre of seed. In order for improved germination to occur the humic substances must be present within the cells of seeds. As the humic substance enters the seed cells, respiration rate increases, and cell division processes are accelerated. These same respiratory processes enhance root development and activate other growing points within the seedlings.
Humic substances have been demonstrated to enhance mitotic activity during cell division under controlled experiments. Placement of these humic substances on seeds (seed treatment) or within the seed furrow will significantly improve seed germination and seedling development.
Excessive concentrations of humic and / or fulvic acids can inhibit seed germination and when at high concentrations can kill young seedlings. Always follow recommended rates when applying humic substances.
Root system of a corn plant treated with Monty's
Humic substances have a very pronounced
influence on the growth of plant roots. When
humic acids and / or fulvic acids are applied to soil, enhancement of root initiation and increased root growth are observed. In most experimental studies, plant root growth is stimulated to a greater extent compared to
stimulation of above ground plant parts. Carefully designed experiments have been conducted under controlled conditions to measure plant response. For example, replicated treatments of plants grown within the greenhouse, with and without humic acid and fulvic acids has illustrated how humic substances influence root growth. In repeated experiments the treated root weights averaged from 20 to 50% heavier compared to the weights of non treated roots. The type of humic substance applied had a significant influence on the percent of increase.
Not all humic substances contain a desirable molecular mixture of humin, humic acids and fulvic acids capable of rapidly stimulating root growth. Some humic substances, because of their large molecular sizes, failed to stimulate plant root development. Root stimulation occurs when the smaller molecular components within fulvic acids occur at a concentration which ranges from 10 to 100 mg/litre of solution. Growth is further stimulated when fulvic acids are used in combination with humic acids and other required plant nutrients. Humic substances improve plant nutrition; however they are not complete nutrients by themselves. Excessively high concentrations of humic acids and fulvic acids should be applied at relatively low concentrations.
Applications of humic substances within a
fairly wide range of concentrations are highly beneficial to plant root development.
To find out more about humic substances and Humigin™, follow the link >>
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