The following text appeared in the Farmer’s Weekly in South Africa on 22 May 2009 pg 24. Please see a scanned copy of the article in this ‘Testimonials’ section.
Fungus that boosts potatoes, maize
Biocontrol
agents are common strategy in biological farming, which combines nature
and modern science to build a vibrant, healthier soil.
Such
soil will produce a healthier plant and a crop needing less fungicide
and insecticide, improving profitability. It’s achieved using crop
rotation, best tillage methods, and green and animal manure, and by
building populations of beneficial micro-organisms like Trichoderma.
In
the trials, live Trichoderma was introduced to the seed in applications
of Eco-T, a product developed and produced by Plant Health Products in
Nottingham Road, KZN.
Nick conducted the trials on his
farm using conventional farming methods, to ensure his results could be
replicated by large-scale growers. Eco-T was mixed according to
manufacturer’s recommendations and sprayed on potato tubers using a
knapsack sprayer. The tubers were planted with a conventional
mechanical planter. Some blocks were also treated with a root drench in
the field.
Faster emergence
“It’s desirable for
seedlings to emerge evenly and rapidly,” says Nick. “This allows better
weed and insect control and provides uniformity.”
Modern
agriculture depends on chemical weed control with pre- and
post-emergence herbicides. “These chemicals are only effective for a
limited time,” explains Nick. “Within that window, the crop must emerge
and be able to compete effectively for light, water, fertility and
space.
“The same principle applies for insect control at
the vulnerable stage of emergence. Once the seedling has emerged
without insect damage, it must grow vigorously all the way to maturity
to ensure an even harvest with most of the crop at a desired size. For
seed production, uniformity is paramount.”
Trial crops
Nick monitored the trial crop of seed potatoes to see if treated seed emerged more quickly and uniformly than untreated seed.
“In
the untreated control, only 48% of the seedlings had emerged by the
time the seed-dressed potatoes were at 54% emergence,” he reports.
“When the seed-dressed potatoes were at 100% emergence, the control was
only just over 90% emerged. Treated potatoes emerged about five days
earlier which tells me Trichoderma enhances plant vigour. If you’re
marketing baby potatoes, or your marketing plan is to enter the market
early, you’d gain at least a week.
“Trichoderma also keeps
the seed potatoes cleaner.” He adds that treated tubers weren’t
necessarily bigger, but were more uniform in size. With a more uniform
crop farmers can meet client specifications.
Similar results
were obtained with maize, where seeds were also easily treated before
planting. “Again, the treated seedlings emerged a few days earlier than
the untreated control,” says Nick. “Uniformity was excellent, which is
even more important to maize farmers. The plants came out like a row of
soldiers.”
Cashing in
Nick found that Trichoderma
significantly increased profitability. “Maize yields were 800kg/ha
higher, at a cost of only R25/ha to apply Eco-T at the recommended rate
of 1g/kg seed. Seed potatoes, with just the tuber treatment of 250 g/ha
Eco-T, yielded 5t/ha more than the untreated control. At the commercial
potato price of about R2000/t, 5t is equivalent to R10 000. Eco-T cost
R200/ha, netting an outrageous R9 800 return on a very small outlay.”
The
product was far more effective when applied as a dressing prior to
planting the tubers than as a drench in the field. However, there was
no significant difference in insect populations.
The root of the matter
Nick
attributes the impressive trial results to Trichoderma’s ability to
improve and protect the plant’s root system. “We’re going for an
integrated approach,” he explains. ”Developing the root system ensures
a healthier plant. In the trials, it helped reduce leaf and root
disease.”
Applied to the roots, Trichoderma together with
other beneficial microorganisms, triggers the plant’s immune system, a
response known as induced systemic resistance. “Trichoderma also
actively controls soil pathogens,” Nick explains.
A bigger
root system enables better and faster nutrient uptake for a healthier
plant. Crops are then less prone to general growing stresses like
drought, heat and cold stress and disease. Reducing disease and stress
pressure, even a little, should improve yields and save on the cost of
the overall spray programme. “You should have a healthier crop which
costs less,” says Nick.
Contact Nick Snaith on 082 654 0364 or email eco@potato.co.za. Contact Plant Health Products on (033) 266 6130.
Sidebar:
Working with Trichoderma
The beneficial effects of Trichoderma were first documented as far back as 1934.
• Trichoderma is a living organism and needs to be treated as such.
• Products containing live Trichoderma have a shelf-life of about six months when kept below 25oC
• The product should not be left in a hot car – keep it in an insulated container, out of the sun.
•
Seeds and tubers can’t be treated and stored for a long period, but
should be treated just prior to planting.
• As Trichoderma is a fungus, avoid simultaneously applying certain broad-spectrum fungicides.
Working with Nature
