There are quite a few aspects to biological farming that occur above the ground, but Mapleton Agri Biotec is focused on boosting the fertility of the soil and the efficiency of the root systems to increase yields.
A healthy vigorous bacterial and fungal micro-flora is vital to the productivity of soil as the microbes help with nutrient cycling, micro-nutrient availability, suppression of root pathogens, increasing soil carbon and water holding capacity, and improving soil physical properties.
The scientific understanding of the complex interactions that occur in soil biology lags far behind the understanding of soil chemistry, but good farmers are bypassing this problem by using common sense techniques.
Many farmers have soils that have poor soil micro-flora levels due to past farming practices, prolonged water logging and other factors.
“Our company believes that two main approaches are appropriate to remedy this problem,” Mapleton Agri Biotec’s Rob Bower said.
“Firstly, farming practices that provide a good environment for soil micro-flora to flourish, such as minimal tillage, and avoidance of over-fertilisation are obviously necessary.
“Secondly, our experience is that use of good quality inoculums is a valuable tool for farmers.
“Most farmers that use our products, NitroGuard and CataPult, use them to allow reductions in nitrogen and phosphorous fertiliser rates.
“To reduce fertiliser rates, farmers must know the microbe and fungal species that allow this are definitely present in high numbers.
“Our trials have shown that high numbers of our microbes are necessary to achieve full benefits.
“The second reason why use of good inoculums should be part of a biological farming program is that they provide the very best microbial and fungal species.
“There is huge variation in what different microbes species do in the soil.
“Our development trials have identified the microbes that fix nitrogen for crops and produce growth factors that drive better root growth and nutrient uptake.
“That’s why regular applications of good quality soil inoculums should be part of all farming programs,” he said.
- Visit: www.mabiotec.com.
