Friday, August 14, 2009
REJUVINATE YOUR LAWN WITH INOCULAID BENEFICIAL SOIL BACTERIA
Are you having problems maintaining a healthy lawn? Are bugs and fungus continuously attacking your lawn; and it doesn’t matter what you treat it with, nothing seems to work?
Sometimes over fertilizing and over applying pesticides can increase salt build up in the soil and kill beneficial microbes essential to nutrient transport and nitrogen fixation. In other words, your soil maybe sterile, and your turf weak and subject to constant pest onslaught.
One of the solutions is to apply Inoculaid, a new cocktail of beneficial bacteria, which performs several functions:
· Turns nitrogen in the air to ammonia, which the plant can uptake, thereby reducing fertilizer use by as much as 50%.
· Increases soil moisture, buffering heat and cold stress.
· Attacks fungi and nematodes, thereby decreasing the need to apply synthetic insecticides and fungicides.
· Increases transport of nutrients to the roots.
Inoculaid is also different from previous brands of beneficial soil bacteria in its long shelf life. Un-opened, Inoculaid has a shelf life of several years. After the bottle is open, if tightly closed and placed in a cool dark closet, it will last up to 90 days, (more than enough times for several applications).
Inoculaid beneficial bacteria are also ideal for garden plants, particularly in the early stages of growth when the plants consume a proportionally greater amount of nitrogen by weight.
Many vegetable growers currently use Inoculaid precisely because they can reduce nitrogen fertilizer applications. In other words, it saves them money and increases their yields.
To learn more about Inoculaid log on to http://www.smartfarmingsolutions.com/. Oh! Do watch the great video, which will show you how it works through the lens of a microscope.
Sometimes over fertilizing and over applying pesticides can increase salt build up in the soil and kill beneficial microbes essential to nutrient transport and nitrogen fixation. In other words, your soil maybe sterile, and your turf weak and subject to constant pest onslaught.
One of the solutions is to apply Inoculaid, a new cocktail of beneficial bacteria, which performs several functions:
· Turns nitrogen in the air to ammonia, which the plant can uptake, thereby reducing fertilizer use by as much as 50%.
· Increases soil moisture, buffering heat and cold stress.
· Attacks fungi and nematodes, thereby decreasing the need to apply synthetic insecticides and fungicides.
· Increases transport of nutrients to the roots.
Inoculaid is also different from previous brands of beneficial soil bacteria in its long shelf life. Un-opened, Inoculaid has a shelf life of several years. After the bottle is open, if tightly closed and placed in a cool dark closet, it will last up to 90 days, (more than enough times for several applications).
Inoculaid beneficial bacteria are also ideal for garden plants, particularly in the early stages of growth when the plants consume a proportionally greater amount of nitrogen by weight.
Many vegetable growers currently use Inoculaid precisely because they can reduce nitrogen fertilizer applications. In other words, it saves them money and increases their yields.
To learn more about Inoculaid log on to http://www.smartfarmingsolutions.com/. Oh! Do watch the great video, which will show you how it works through the lens of a microscope.
Labels: beneficial bacteria, fertilizer, Inoculaid, reduce fertilizer, soil moisture
Sunday, July 19, 2009
HOW TO SHOP FOR FERTILIZERS
If you look at a bag of fertilizer, you will see labels with headings such as: 10-10-10; 16-8-8; 6-0-6. What this means is the percent concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) in that order. A bag of 10-10-10 has 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorous and 10% potassium; the rest is filler such as lime rock, sand or sludge. Every nutrient adds to cost. For example a 50 lbs bag of 16-0-8 should cost less than a 16-8-8 because it does not have any phosphorous. To complicate matters, every manufacturer uses a slightly different composition from others and has a different coverage rate. Nitrogen is the most expensive component, so one way to compare apples with apples is to take similar compositions and compute the cost of nitrogen per pound. Example: You are looking at two 50 lbs bags of fertilizer. One is a 16-4-8 for $26.97 the other is a 20-5-11 for $29.99. In the first case multiply 0.16 (16%) nitrogen by 50 lbs = 8lbs of nitrogen. Divide $26.97 by 8 = $3.37 per pound of nitrogen. In the second case: $29.99/ (0.20x50) = $2.99 per pound of nitrogen. This means you are getting more bang for the buck with the second bag. Now divide your cost for nitrogen by the advertised coverage rate and you get your cost per square foot.
Liquid fertilizers are absorbed by the plants through leaves 10 times more efficiently than through roots. As a result, much less liquid fertilizer is needed to compensate for a deficiency. When comparing prices of fertilizers between liquid and dry, once again consider the coverage per pound of nitrogen, phosphate or potassium (based on which ever has the greatest concentration).
Slow release fertilizers are more desirable than dry or liquid fast release fertilizers. However, their costs are significantly higher. The choice depends on your time. Fast release fertilizers are most effective when applied in small quantities frequently.
Also consider the ingredients. For example, plants can absorb nitrogen in ammonium or nitrate form. However, the use of only one form can be detrimental to plant growth. So an ammonium nitrate combination is more desirable. Better yet, a calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate combination provide the essential macronutrients. Stay away from any muriate of potash, (potassium chloride), due to the potential salt damage from the chloride.
Finally, if buying dry fertilizers, strive for organic inert material. If you buy a 10-10-10, 70% of the bag is inert material such as sand, gypsum, lime rock or organic waste. Unless you are growing vegetables, which may come in contact with the soil, strive for organic inert fillers.
Remember that cheap fertilizers can cause more harm than good. In the end, you get what you pay for.
Liquid fertilizers are absorbed by the plants through leaves 10 times more efficiently than through roots. As a result, much less liquid fertilizer is needed to compensate for a deficiency. When comparing prices of fertilizers between liquid and dry, once again consider the coverage per pound of nitrogen, phosphate or potassium (based on which ever has the greatest concentration).
Slow release fertilizers are more desirable than dry or liquid fast release fertilizers. However, their costs are significantly higher. The choice depends on your time. Fast release fertilizers are most effective when applied in small quantities frequently.
Also consider the ingredients. For example, plants can absorb nitrogen in ammonium or nitrate form. However, the use of only one form can be detrimental to plant growth. So an ammonium nitrate combination is more desirable. Better yet, a calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate combination provide the essential macronutrients. Stay away from any muriate of potash, (potassium chloride), due to the potential salt damage from the chloride.
Finally, if buying dry fertilizers, strive for organic inert material. If you buy a 10-10-10, 70% of the bag is inert material such as sand, gypsum, lime rock or organic waste. Unless you are growing vegetables, which may come in contact with the soil, strive for organic inert fillers.
Remember that cheap fertilizers can cause more harm than good. In the end, you get what you pay for.
Labels: 10-10-10, fertilizer, liquid fertilizer, npk, slow release fertilizer
Monday, June 22, 2009
INOCULAID® (BENEFICIAL SOIL BACTERIA) PROTECTS PLANTS FROM HARMFUL FUNGI
Inoculaid (beneficial soil bacteria) not only reduces nitrogen fertilizer application by as much as 50%, it is also very effective against harmful fungi, nematodes and other pathogens. The month of May was the second wettest on record for Florida; and provided the perfect conditions for fungal diseases- heat and constant rain. For us, it was a perfect opportunity to put Inoculaid to the test. In April, over a period of several weeks, we seeded or transplanted hundreds of tomatoes, celery, several variety of peppers and basil plants to pots and left them to mother nature without any synthetic application of fungicides. The same for cucumbers and squash, which we seeded on bare ground. Instead, we applied Inoculaid twice during the plants’ growth stage. The results impressed us.The cucumbers, whose vines grew on bare ground, experience downy mildew but survived and produced unblemished fruits, without any spots. The only other plants with fungus growth were the spaghetti squash, which had some powdery mildew but also produced excellent fruits without any belly rot.We recently compared notes with many watermelon and cucumber growers; and unfortunately learned that they did not fare well against fungal diseases using synthetic fungicides.
For a terrific look at how Inoculaid works, through the lens of a microscope, log on to http://www.smartfarmingsolutions.com/
Inoculaid will reduce the amount of fertilizer and fungicides you currently use on your lawn, garden or nursery.
For a terrific look at how Inoculaid works, through the lens of a microscope, log on to http://www.smartfarmingsolutions.com/
Inoculaid will reduce the amount of fertilizer and fungicides you currently use on your lawn, garden or nursery.
Labels: beneficial soil bacteria, fertilizer, fungicide, fungus, Inoculaid, plant disease
Thursday, May 7, 2009
ISSUES WITH PHOSPHATE FERTILIZERS
Phosphate is an essential macro nutrient and is a critical component of adenosine triphosphate, (ATP) the energy molecule which drives most biological processes. It is also found in DNA and RNA. Phosphate enhances the fundamental processes of photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, root growth, flowering and fruiting. Phosphate deficient plants will usually be stunted, thin stemmed; but the foliage will often be dark and even purple in some plants. Phosphorous is very mobile in the plant, therefore older leaves show deficiencies first.
Most soils are low in phosphate. To make matters worst, less than 0.01% of the total soil phosphorous is available to plants. Phosphorous binds easily to calcium, iron and aluminum. As a result, it does not readily leach, but for the same reason, it is not readily available for plant uptake. Even when phosphorous is added in the form of an inorganic fertilizer, it will rapidly become insoluble.
The dilemma is that calcium is also essential to plants. It is often added to soils in the form of lime rock, dolomite or gypsum, not only to replenish soils low in calcium but to also raise pH in soils made acidic by nitrates. Calcium carbonate will dissolve and calcium ions will latch on the phosphate ions, becoming a nearly insoluble compound.
In the last decades, growers have progressively added more phosphate to their fertilizer mix to counter this problem. However, even the little leaching that occurs creates enormous environmental problems. Some vegetable growers are taking a different approach. They apply a small amount of phosphate at time of planting in the furrow (starter fertilizer); then at four to six true leaves, they foliar spray (usually a mixture of potassium phosphate) on a weekly basis thereafter, (based on tissue samples). I use 3-18-18 high grade liquid fertilizer which is designed for this very reason. It is composed of food grade materials, meaning the same high quality products used in the food industry.
Most soils are low in phosphate. To make matters worst, less than 0.01% of the total soil phosphorous is available to plants. Phosphorous binds easily to calcium, iron and aluminum. As a result, it does not readily leach, but for the same reason, it is not readily available for plant uptake. Even when phosphorous is added in the form of an inorganic fertilizer, it will rapidly become insoluble.
The dilemma is that calcium is also essential to plants. It is often added to soils in the form of lime rock, dolomite or gypsum, not only to replenish soils low in calcium but to also raise pH in soils made acidic by nitrates. Calcium carbonate will dissolve and calcium ions will latch on the phosphate ions, becoming a nearly insoluble compound.
In the last decades, growers have progressively added more phosphate to their fertilizer mix to counter this problem. However, even the little leaching that occurs creates enormous environmental problems. Some vegetable growers are taking a different approach. They apply a small amount of phosphate at time of planting in the furrow (starter fertilizer); then at four to six true leaves, they foliar spray (usually a mixture of potassium phosphate) on a weekly basis thereafter, (based on tissue samples). I use 3-18-18 high grade liquid fertilizer which is designed for this very reason. It is composed of food grade materials, meaning the same high quality products used in the food industry.
Labels: 3-18-18, fertilizer, gardening, Lawn Care, leaching, liquid fertilizer, macro nutrients, phosphate
Monday, March 16, 2009
CHELATED NUTRIENTS FOR EFFICIENT PLANT UPTAKE
Clay and humus soils can tie up essential nutrient, making them unavailable to plants. High soil pH can also bind micro nutrients. Microscopic clay and humus particles have enormous electrostatic sites which act like magnets, binding nutrients to those sites. As a result, the plant goes hungry, even thought the soil is loaded with nutrients. This is particularly true of essential micro nutrients.
One way to remedy this is to provide plants with chelated nutrients. Chelates are molecules which wrap themselves around metal ions. EDTA is a commonly used in consumer products, prepared foods and salad dressing to sequester metal ions which catalyze decomposition reactions. Chelates are also used in medicine to treat lead poisoning and other metal poisoning.
In horticulture, chelated micronutrients are readily absorbed by plants, particularly if applied foliarly (to the leaves). That’s because the metal ions are shielded; and therefore do not bind to soil particles.
I find that glucoheptonate is more effective of a chelate than EDTA for plants. In my garden, I use Super Boost which consists of chelated micro nutrients, seaweed extract and fulvic acid. The recommended application rate is 2 quarts per acre for vegetable and turf, every couple of weeks. If you are growing a small garden, 1/8 of a fluid ounce mixed with one gallon of water and sprayed on to leaves is more than enough. When foliar spraying, be sure to do it early in the morning with cool temperatures. I am sure many gardening enthusiast will also confirm what nurserymen have told me: chelated micronutrients applied at bloom will increase and extend blooming of certain plants.
One way to remedy this is to provide plants with chelated nutrients. Chelates are molecules which wrap themselves around metal ions. EDTA is a commonly used in consumer products, prepared foods and salad dressing to sequester metal ions which catalyze decomposition reactions. Chelates are also used in medicine to treat lead poisoning and other metal poisoning.
In horticulture, chelated micronutrients are readily absorbed by plants, particularly if applied foliarly (to the leaves). That’s because the metal ions are shielded; and therefore do not bind to soil particles.
I find that glucoheptonate is more effective of a chelate than EDTA for plants. In my garden, I use Super Boost which consists of chelated micro nutrients, seaweed extract and fulvic acid. The recommended application rate is 2 quarts per acre for vegetable and turf, every couple of weeks. If you are growing a small garden, 1/8 of a fluid ounce mixed with one gallon of water and sprayed on to leaves is more than enough. When foliar spraying, be sure to do it early in the morning with cool temperatures. I am sure many gardening enthusiast will also confirm what nurserymen have told me: chelated micronutrients applied at bloom will increase and extend blooming of certain plants.
Labels: chelated nutrients, fertilizer, fulvic acid, humates, humic acid, seaweed extract, soil amendment
Monday, March 9, 2009
INOCULAID REDUCES FERTILIZER USE BY 50%
Inoculaid, a new mix of photosynthetic beneficial soil bacteria can reduce fertilizer use by as much as 50%, without compromising yield, thereby helping the environment.
Soil biologists have long known the symbiotic relationship between plants and certain bacteria and fungi co-habitating in the root zone.
While plants provide nutrients such as sugar and amino acids, strands of rhizo bacteria transform nitrogen from the air into ammonia which the plants can absorb. Others help transport nutrients to the roots; and some even provide auxin (plant hormones) necessary for plant growth.
For years various biological laboratories have offered various cocktails of beneficial bacteria. However, none have provided such an effective alternative to traditional farming until now.
I have applied various brands of beneficial bacteria in a number of large and small trials. They indeed reduce fertilizer inputs. However, they had very short shelf life once the container was open; and they provided a 10% to 20% fertilizer reduction.
I met the folks at Applied & Experimental Biology, the makers of Inoculaid at an ag expo last year; and later had a long conversation with Thom Selvig, the biologist who developed the product. He described to me thirty years of research which culminated into this unique mix of photosynthetic bacteria, (naturally found in the soil), which provide an array of proven benefits:
1) Reduction of fertilizer inputs by as much as 50% without compromising yield.
2) Improved soil moisture and aggregation.
3) Reduction in harmful pathogens/pests including nematodes and fungi.
When one hears of such phenomenal claims, the first reaction is skepticism- too good to be true; just another snake oil; why isn't every body using this product?
Growers and golf superintendents are starting to. I talked to several of them and ag consultants who are currently using Inoculaid on a large scale (thousands of acres of vegetable production). They all reported the same success. In some cases they have completely eliminated fumigation, drastically cut fungicide and in one instance cut nitrogen input by 2/3.
Inoculaid is the new paradigm towards environmentally friendly agriculture and landscape maintenance. By using nature’s own weapons, Inoculaid is now allowing growers to produce more food, with less fertilizers and chemicals.
For an amazing view of this microbiology at work through the lens of a microscope, watch the video. It will dazzle you.
Or go to http://www.smartfarmingsolutions.com/ for more information
Labels: beneficial bacteria, fertilizer, inoculants, nematode, organic farming, organic gardening, reduce fertilizer, soil moisture
Monday, March 2, 2009
SEAWEED EXTRACT TO INCREASE PLANT GROWTH
Seaweed extracts contain a number of natural plant growth hormones (i.e. cytokinins, auxins) as well as other plant biostimulants (e.g. betaines, polyamines, oligosaccharides), which can improve plant resistances and tolerances to environmental, disease and insect stresses. For example, Polyamines influence the mechanism that controls pollination and the formation of fruits. Their presence in optimal quantities is the determining factor in the number of fruits and their development. Seaweed extracts are also rich in vitamins and micro nutrients and like humates hold ground moisture.
So does applying seaweed extract to plants increase growth, yield and resistance to disease?
Interestingly, there is an ongoing debate as to its effectiveness. For example, in a well presented article, Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, Washington State University Puyallup Research Station debunks its effectiveness and calls it a myth*.
On the other hand T. Butler and A.H. Hunt in a research paper presented at the ISHA 2006 International Symposium on Horticultural Plants in Urban and Peri-Urban Life examined golf course turf grass subject to plant stress, due to high traffic levels and short grass mowing. Their research showed that seaweed extract in this instance reduced the nutrient inputs, increased tissue NPK levels, grass growth, color and stress tolerance.
What is one to believe?
Based on my personal experience, certain sea weed extracts can greatly increase plant fruit yields when the plant is under stress. In a twenty five acre cucumber trial over three plantings, 3 days apart, the yields from those fields where in excess of 30% greater than the plantings prior and after; and were the highest of the season. From a scientific stand point, one could argue that this was not a correct trial because the control plots were not planted at the same time and in the same fields. Furthermore, environmental conditions prior and after these plantings could have affected the yields of the rest of the plantings. In fact the entire season was subject to heavy rain fall due to two back to back tropical depressions which hovered over Florida for more than three weeks. Plants were definitely stressed from a lack of sun light and excess water.
I performed a multiple regression analysis taking in consideration solar radiation, precipitation, wind, hours of sunlight, plant stands and fertilizer regimen. With a high coefficient and statistical confidence, the sea weed extract was clearly the greatest contributor to the yield increase. Is this definitive proof that it works? I would say it’s more anecdotal experience.
It has been my experience that when plants are healthy due to the right soil and environmental conditions most additives will not significantly improve growth or yield. However, when plants are stressed, (heat, cold, wind, too much or not enough water, nutrients, etc.), these growth enhancers do make a difference.
So does applying seaweed extract to plants increase growth, yield and resistance to disease?
Interestingly, there is an ongoing debate as to its effectiveness. For example, in a well presented article, Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, Washington State University Puyallup Research Station debunks its effectiveness and calls it a myth*.
On the other hand T. Butler and A.H. Hunt in a research paper presented at the ISHA 2006 International Symposium on Horticultural Plants in Urban and Peri-Urban Life examined golf course turf grass subject to plant stress, due to high traffic levels and short grass mowing. Their research showed that seaweed extract in this instance reduced the nutrient inputs, increased tissue NPK levels, grass growth, color and stress tolerance.
What is one to believe?
Based on my personal experience, certain sea weed extracts can greatly increase plant fruit yields when the plant is under stress. In a twenty five acre cucumber trial over three plantings, 3 days apart, the yields from those fields where in excess of 30% greater than the plantings prior and after; and were the highest of the season. From a scientific stand point, one could argue that this was not a correct trial because the control plots were not planted at the same time and in the same fields. Furthermore, environmental conditions prior and after these plantings could have affected the yields of the rest of the plantings. In fact the entire season was subject to heavy rain fall due to two back to back tropical depressions which hovered over Florida for more than three weeks. Plants were definitely stressed from a lack of sun light and excess water.
I performed a multiple regression analysis taking in consideration solar radiation, precipitation, wind, hours of sunlight, plant stands and fertilizer regimen. With a high coefficient and statistical confidence, the sea weed extract was clearly the greatest contributor to the yield increase. Is this definitive proof that it works? I would say it’s more anecdotal experience.
It has been my experience that when plants are healthy due to the right soil and environmental conditions most additives will not significantly improve growth or yield. However, when plants are stressed, (heat, cold, wind, too much or not enough water, nutrients, etc.), these growth enhancers do make a difference.
Labels: fertilizer, gardening, Lawn Care, organic, plant nutrition, seaweed extract, soil amendment
Friday, February 6, 2009
DOLOMITE VERSUS BORREPLEX CA (Calcium Lignosulfate)
Calcium is critical to plant health and the building of strong cell walls. Calcium also regulates intake of other nutrients. Gardeners and farmers seek inexpensive source of calcium and historically have applied lime rock (calcium carbonate), dolomite or gypsum. Aside from the fact that overtime, the use of these products will increase the pH of the soil, how effective is dolomite, for example, as a source of calcium for the plant compared to BorrePlex Ca?
If you are not familiar with BorrePlex CA, it is a blend of wood sugars and modified calcium lignosulfate. I take the liberty of using the trade name because there is only one manufacturer of this product approved for agricultural use in the US. This is not ment to be a plug for the manufacturer. It is an organic labeled product (OMRI) which is a byproduct of the pulp industry. Lignin which compromises 30% of all plant mass is the back bone of BorrePlex Ca. More on that later.
Without getting too technical, the solubility of calcium carbonate (Ca CO3) is dependent on the soil pH and partial pressure of CO2. Assuming the we focus on pH only, the following molar solubility table will provide some answers.
pH Mol
2 170
4 1.7
6 0.02
8 0.0011
At a soil pH of 7, solubility of calcium carbonate is around o.oo5. This means that if one ton of dolomite (2,000 lbs) is applied per acre, at best only 2.17 lbs of soluble calcium (Ca++) is available to plants, (assuming 100% water saturation). 2000 lbs x 0.005 = 10 lbs x 0.217 (21.7% molar concentration of Ca++ in CaMg(CO3)2 = 2.17 lbs.
This of course assumes that:
1) Particle size of the dolomite is extremely small to interact with water.
2) The dolomite is 100% pure.
3) The dolomite is immersed in water at all times in order to dissolves.
4) There is no precipitation of the calcium with phosphates or any other chemical reactions which may tie up calcium.
The reality is that none of these caveats apply. Particle size vary considerably depending on the source, dolomite is rarely pure, 100% moisture also implies water logging of roots which ultimately kills the plant. lastly, calcium will bind to other atoms or molecules such as phosphate.
In a perfect environment, assuming that the phosphate is already tied up in the soil and will not react with additional calcium input, a realistic 10% soil moisture, and extremely fine powder of 100% pure dolomite, at best 0.217 lbs of Ca++ is available to plants (based on soil moisture). Note that the rate of solubility of calcium is also dependent on the rate of absorption by the plant and the rate at which it binds to other atoms or molecules.
Compare this with the use of Calcium Lignosulfate, an organic source of calcium and sulfur. The recommended rate of 8.5 lbs of BorrePlex Ca, with a 5% concentration of calcium will provide 0.425 lbs in a complexed form which the plant can readily absorbed.
Assuming dolomite is purchased at $26/ton, and one ton is applied per acre, the cost per acre of Ca++ potentially available to plants = $119.81 ($26/0.217 lbs).
The cost per acre of Ca++ from BorrePlex Ca = $51.24 ($21.78 for 8.5 lbs/0.425 lbs), more than half the cost of dolomite.
Borreplex Ca offers a lot more:
1) It is an OMRI approved source of calcium.
2) Its lignin backbone is highly charged, as a result, it complexes (binds) nutrients which would otherwise be tied in the soil particles.
3) It also contains wood surgars which feed and therefore increase microbial populations including rhizo bacteria which fixate nitrogen to roots.
4) It also binds bacteria to root zone causing auxin response by plants, thereby increasing yield.
Bottom line: Studies after studies on a wide range of crops through out the world have shown that Calcium Lignosulfate increases yield from 10% to 30% depending on quantities applied.
One of the best products available for growers interested in higher yields and healthier plants.
If you are not familiar with BorrePlex CA, it is a blend of wood sugars and modified calcium lignosulfate. I take the liberty of using the trade name because there is only one manufacturer of this product approved for agricultural use in the US. This is not ment to be a plug for the manufacturer. It is an organic labeled product (OMRI) which is a byproduct of the pulp industry. Lignin which compromises 30% of all plant mass is the back bone of BorrePlex Ca. More on that later.
Without getting too technical, the solubility of calcium carbonate (Ca CO3) is dependent on the soil pH and partial pressure of CO2. Assuming the we focus on pH only, the following molar solubility table will provide some answers.
pH Mol
2 170
4 1.7
6 0.02
8 0.0011
At a soil pH of 7, solubility of calcium carbonate is around o.oo5. This means that if one ton of dolomite (2,000 lbs) is applied per acre, at best only 2.17 lbs of soluble calcium (Ca++) is available to plants, (assuming 100% water saturation). 2000 lbs x 0.005 = 10 lbs x 0.217 (21.7% molar concentration of Ca++ in CaMg(CO3)2 = 2.17 lbs.
This of course assumes that:
1) Particle size of the dolomite is extremely small to interact with water.
2) The dolomite is 100% pure.
3) The dolomite is immersed in water at all times in order to dissolves.
4) There is no precipitation of the calcium with phosphates or any other chemical reactions which may tie up calcium.
The reality is that none of these caveats apply. Particle size vary considerably depending on the source, dolomite is rarely pure, 100% moisture also implies water logging of roots which ultimately kills the plant. lastly, calcium will bind to other atoms or molecules such as phosphate.
In a perfect environment, assuming that the phosphate is already tied up in the soil and will not react with additional calcium input, a realistic 10% soil moisture, and extremely fine powder of 100% pure dolomite, at best 0.217 lbs of Ca++ is available to plants (based on soil moisture). Note that the rate of solubility of calcium is also dependent on the rate of absorption by the plant and the rate at which it binds to other atoms or molecules.
Compare this with the use of Calcium Lignosulfate, an organic source of calcium and sulfur. The recommended rate of 8.5 lbs of BorrePlex Ca, with a 5% concentration of calcium will provide 0.425 lbs in a complexed form which the plant can readily absorbed.
Assuming dolomite is purchased at $26/ton, and one ton is applied per acre, the cost per acre of Ca++ potentially available to plants = $119.81 ($26/0.217 lbs).
The cost per acre of Ca++ from BorrePlex Ca = $51.24 ($21.78 for 8.5 lbs/0.425 lbs), more than half the cost of dolomite.
Borreplex Ca offers a lot more:
1) It is an OMRI approved source of calcium.
2) Its lignin backbone is highly charged, as a result, it complexes (binds) nutrients which would otherwise be tied in the soil particles.
3) It also contains wood surgars which feed and therefore increase microbial populations including rhizo bacteria which fixate nitrogen to roots.
4) It also binds bacteria to root zone causing auxin response by plants, thereby increasing yield.
Bottom line: Studies after studies on a wide range of crops through out the world have shown that Calcium Lignosulfate increases yield from 10% to 30% depending on quantities applied.
One of the best products available for growers interested in higher yields and healthier plants.
Labels: farming, fertilizer, gardening, Lawn Care, plant food, plant nutrition
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