Making Sense of Biostimulents. CAPCA Sustainable/Organic Production on the Coast Oxnard July 9, 2015

Transcription

1 Making Sense of Biostimulents CAPCA Sustainable/Organic Production on the Coast Oxnard July 9, 2015

2 First of all, What is a Biostimulent No official recognition or regulation as such for the term. In California, they are generally managed by the CDFA as a fertilizer or? Outside of California some, may have EPA registrations as Plant Growth Regulators Example is Acadian LSC in California and Stimplex Crop Biostimulent in the other 49 states. To say the least many of these products have caused much confusion in the marketplace and have been looked upon skeptically. Disclaimer: Though I may show you pest management effects, I am not claiming or promoting pesticidal qualities in these products.

3 I will Say this Early My research has convinced me they are not S. O The problem with many of them is that many times someone has a concept and takes them to market before they have been tested or Growers are given product to demo without any clear cut results or directions from the supplier. The emphasis on being green, reducing pollution, using our highly efficient low volume irrigation systems have allowed these products to be more effective.

4 Examples Seaweeds Humic-Fulvic Acids Plant based Extracts Phosphites? Ammino acids Fermentation process metabolites? Mixes of the above Algaes Others?

5 So let s look at some definitions European Biostimulent Industry Consortium American Biostimulent Coalition

6 European Definition EBIC (European Biostimulants Industry Consortium): Definition July 2012: Plant Biostimulants means a material which contains substance(s) and/or micro-organisms whose function when applied to plants or the rhizosphere is to stimulate natural processes to enhance/benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and crop quality, independent of its nutrient content.

7 Proposed American Definition From The Biostimulant Coalition. Biostimulant (n.) A material that, when applied to a plant, seed, soil or growing media - in conjunction with established fertilization plans, enhances the plant's nutrient use efficiency, or provides other direct or indirect benefits to plant development or stress response.

8 How Do They Work First off, let s be clear, I am not a Plant Physiologist But the simple answer is they instigate multiple cellular pathways that produce defense and growth responses. So are they fertilizers or PGR s?

9 Where do they fit in our Ag Production Programs Increasing Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) Competitive inhibition of pathogens in the rhizosphere Stimulation of plant s natural defence mechanisms. Supplemental in nature, that is they are not a replacement for the seventeen essential elements, but they can help alongside fertilization and pest control.

10 What is the Common Denominator in most of them? Organic, that is from a carbon source. May be alive, dormant, metabolytes produced by living organisms, rarely synthetic or man made. Many times a soup of multiple organisms and/or compounds. Almost all I have tested have some type of activity on growing plants

11 Holden Research and Consulting has done research in this area over the last 15 years. I have easily conducted 500 plus trials with these type of products since Some increase NUE (Nutrient Use Efficiency) Some increase the plants defense mechanisms Generally there is no one molecule in the products that does this, rather it is the soup

12 Multiple Year Seaweed Trials on Strawberries All run through the tape (I have found this to be much more efficient than foliar applications) Acadian LSC (Liquid Seaweed Concentrate) Source is north Atlantic near Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Maine. Algamin XTO Source is north Atlantic coast of Ireland Kelpgrow Source is north Pacific, coast of British Columbia. Acadian and Algamin are Ascophylum nodostrum, Kelpgrow comes from Macrocystis integrifolia (Giant Kelp)

13 1/5/2012 1/9/2012 1/13/2012 1/17/12 1/20/12 1/26/12 1/30/2012 2/2/2012 2/6/2012 2/9/2012 2/13/2012 2/17/2012 2/20/2012 2/24/2012 2/27/2012 3/1/2012 3/2/2012 3/5/2012 3/9/2012 3/12/2012 3/16/2012 3/20/2012 3/28/2012 4/2/2012 4/9/2012 4/16/2012 4/18/2012 4/25/2012 Trays per Acre (10 lb. equivalent) Oxnard Winter Berries Chart 6: Algamin XT in Strawberries - Ventura County, Fall/Winter Cumulative Marketable Production by Pick Day Pick Day Grower Standard Algamin XT Acadian SEL

14 1/5/2012 1/9/2012 1/13/2012 1/17/12 1/20/12 1/26/12 1/30/2012 2/2/2012 2/6/2012 2/9/2012 2/13/2012 2/17/2012 2/20/2012 2/24/2012 2/27/2012 3/1/2012 3/2/2012 3/5/2012 3/9/2012 3/12/2012 3/16/2012 3/20/2012 3/28/2012 4/2/2012 4/9/2012 4/16/2012 4/18/2012 4/25/2012 Dollars per Acre Oxnard Winter Berries $10, $8, Chart 8: Algamin XT in Strawberries - Ventura County, Fall/Winter Cumulative Marketable Production Net Return by Pick Day $6, $4, $2, $ Pick Day Grower Standard Algamin XT Acadian SEL

15 Dollars per Acre - Gross (does not include cost of program 1/5/2012 1/9/2012 1/13/2012 1/17/12 1/20/12 1/26/12 1/30/2012 2/2/2012 2/6/2012 2/9/2012 2/13/2012 2/17/2012 2/20/2012 2/24/2012 2/27/2012 3/1/2012 3/2/2012 3/5/2012 3/9/2012 3/12/2012 3/16/2012 3/20/2012 3/28/2012 4/2/2012 4/9/2012 4/16/2012 4/18/2012 4/25/ Oxnard Winter Berries $2, $2, $1, $1, $ Chart 11: Algamin XT in Strawberries - Ventura County, Fall/Winter Cumulative Differential from Grower Standard Return $0.00 -$ $1, $1, $2, $2, Algamin XT Pick Day Acadian SEL

16 Trays per Acre (10 lb. equivalent) 12/31/2012 1/8/2013 1/14/2013 1/17/13 1/22/13 1/29/13 1/31/2013 2/5/2013 2/7/2013 2/12/2013 2/20/2013 2/22/2013 2/27/2013 3/4/2013 3/11/2013 3/14/2013 3/18/2013 3/21/2013 3/25/2013 3/28/2013 4/2/2013 4/8/2013 4/11/2013 4/15/2013 4/18/ Oxnard Winter Berries Chart 6: with Kelp in Strawberries - Ventura County, Fall/Winter Cumulative Marketable Production by Pick Day Grower Standard GS/AcadianSEL Pick Day GS/Kelpgrow GS/AlgiminXT

17 12/31/2012 1/8/2013 1/14/2013 1/17/13 1/22/13 1/29/13 1/31/2013 2/5/2013 2/7/2013 2/12/2013 2/20/2013 2/22/2013 2/27/2013 3/4/2013 3/11/2013 3/14/2013 3/18/2013 3/21/2013 3/25/2013 3/28/2013 4/2/2013 4/8/2013 4/11/2013 4/15/2013 4/18/2013 Dollars per Acre Oxnard Winter Berries $8, $6, Chart 8: with Kelp in Strawberries - Ventura County, Fall/Winter Cumulative Marketable Production Net Return by Pick Day $4, $2, $ Pick Day Grower Standard GS/AcadianSEL GS/Kelpgrow GS/AlgiminXT

18 Dollars per Acre - Gross (does not include cost of program 12/31/2012 1/8/2013 1/14/2013 1/17/13 1/22/13 1/29/13 1/31/2013 2/5/2013 2/7/2013 2/12/2013 2/20/2013 2/22/2013 2/27/2013 3/4/2013 3/11/2013 3/14/2013 3/18/2013 3/21/2013 3/25/2013 3/28/2013 4/2/2013 4/8/2013 4/11/2013 4/15/2013 4/18/ Oxnard Winter Berries $3, $3, $2, $2, $1, $1, $ Chart 11: with Kelp in Strawberries - Ventura County, Fall/Winter Cumulative Differential from Grower Standard Return $0.00 -$ $1, Pick Day GS/AcadianSEL GS/Kelpgrow GS/AlgiminXT

19 NUE Nitrogen Reduction in Celery Multi-Year, multi-participant study Many positive results, will show example of two products. Celery was grown at 100% normal nitrogen, about 400 lbs/ac and 80% normal nitrogen or 320 lbs/ac Crop measured as growing and sample harvested in front of harvest crew two days prior to harvest. Biostimulents were applied about 3-4 times during the growing cycle.

20 Pounds per Total Plant Plant Sizing Over Time 3.00 Chart 1: Multi Participant Trial on Celery in Ventura County, California Season - Whole Plant Weight All trimmed for market Grower Standard - 100% N Approximately 10% increase in average G.S. 80% N G.S. 80% N/Unamed Seaweed Product 0.50 G.S. 80% N/Microgain Soil /12/2014 3/5/2014 3/26/2014 4/15/2014 4/30/2014(trimmed)

21 Number of Cartons Carton Distribution in Size Chart 2: Multi Participant Trial on Celery in Ventura County, California Season - Market Utilization - Extrapolated Yield per Acre by Boxes Grower Standard - 100% N G.S. 80% N G.S. 80% N/Unamed Seaweed Product 's 24's 30's 36's 48's Total Number/acre Axis Title G.S. 80% N/Microgain Soil

22 Net Return per Acre with Harvest Cost Removed Return to Farm after Harvest Cost Chart 4: Multi Participant Trial on Celery in Ventura County, California Season - Net Return per Acre after Harvest Costs - Pre Cultural Costs Grower Standard - 100% N Grower Standard 80% N of Grower Standard G.S. 80% N G.S. 80% N/Unamed Seaweed Product 's 24's 30's 36's 48's Total Return/acre Size Distribution G.S. 80% N/Microgain Soil

23 Pre and Post Nutrient Levels - Soil N-ppm P-ppm K-ppm Pre-plant End GS 100% End GS 80% End GS 80% with bio/average

24 End Nutrient Levels - Petiole N-% P-% K-% GS 100% GS 80% GS 80%/SW GS 80%/MG GS 80%/All-Ave

25 NUE Phosphate Utilization in Strawberries Soil trial with in Foliar trial with in Products were Transit Zinc and Kafe, now sold under one label as Transit Evo

26 Berries Improved Phosphate Utilization with Transit Treatments (First) UTC 2 gal/ac weeks post transplant 8 floz/ac Transit same timing 2 gal/ac / 8 floz/ac Transit Treatments (monthly thereafter, 4 times) UTC 5 gal/ac weeks post transplant 8 floz/ac Transit/ same timing 5 gal/ac / 8 floz/ac Transit

27 Two Months Post Plant Plants were sampled from each treatment area: 1. Grower standard control is on the top nd row - Transit/Carbon Boost Soil treated plants rd row plus Transit/Carbon Boost Soil are the third row 4. Bottom row without Transit/Carbon Boost Soil

28 Root growth was enhanced by the fertilizer application. The addition of Transit/Carbon Boost Soil to the fertilizer mix proliferated root growth.

29 Plant growth also responded to Transit/Carbon Boost Soil applications.

30

31 Kafe (Transit Evo) Improved Foliar Efficiency with on Winter Berries in Ventura County Personal Study Treatments UTC Grower Standard of 1 gal/ac , plus 1 qt/ac Albion Metalosate Zinc 6.8% in gallons of water per acre. Above Grower Standard with 12 floz/ac Kafe F Treatments started pre-set on the following schedule: 12/14/11, 1/7/12, 1/25/12, 2/14/12, 3/8/12, and 3/28/12

32 1/5/2012 1/13/2012 1/20/12 1/30/2012 2/6/2012 2/13/2012 2/20/2012 2/27/2012 3/2/2012 3/9/2012 3/16/2012 3/28/2012 Trays per Acre (10 lb. equivalent) Results for Foliar Berry Trial Chart 6: Holden Foliars in Strawberries - Ventura County, Fall/Winter Cumulative Marketable Production by Pick Day 126 Flat improvement over G.S No differences seen Pick Day Grower Standard GS /Zinc 6.8% GS /Zinc 6.8%/Kafe

33 Dollars per Acre - Gross (does not include cost of program 1/5/2012 1/9/2012 1/13/2012 1/17/12 1/20/12 1/26/12 1/30/2012 2/2/2012 2/6/2012 2/9/2012 2/13/2012 2/17/2012 2/20/2012 2/24/2012 2/27/2012 3/1/2012 3/2/2012 3/5/2012 3/9/2012 3/12/2012 3/16/2012 3/20/2012 3/28/2012 4/9/2012 Results for Foliar Berry Trial 2012 $2, Chart 11: Holden Foliars in Strawberries - Ventura County, Fall/Winter Cumulative Differential from Grower Standard Return $2, $1, $1, $600 per acre Gross ROI with Kafe added! $ $0.00 -$ $1, $1, $2, $2, Pick Day GS /Zinc 6.8% GS /Zinc 6.8%/Kafe

34 Microgain Soil A blend of multiple beneficial microorganisms in combination with amino and humic acids.

35 GUARANTEED ANALYSIS Total Nitrogen (N)...4.5% 0.27% Ammoniacal Nitrogen 1.17% Nitrate Nitrogen 2.50% Water Soluble Nitrogen 0.56% Water Insoluble Nitrogen Soluble Potash (K2O)...4% DERIVED FROM: Soy protein ALSO CONTAINS NONPLANT FOOD INGREDIENTS: 36% Humic Acids (derived from leonardite) Microorganisms (cfu= colony forming units): Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 10x10 8 cfu/g Bacillus methylotrophicus 6x10 8 cfu/g Pseudomonas fluorescens 1x10 6 cfu/g Trichoderma harzianum 1x10 5 cfu/g Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1x10 6 cfu/g Microgain Soil

36 Field Details Proprietary variety of Strawberry. Site has a history of Macrophomina phaseolina (Charcoal Rot) Fumigated three years now, flat bed with 400 lbs/acre chloropicrin Fertilized every days (total of six applications) with Microgain at 2.2 lbs/ac per application starting pre-plant on October 1, 2013 Site sub sampled harvested from January to late March and rated for progression of Macrophomina (Microgain is not a fungicide)

37 Data Collected Recorded a 40% yield increase in the Microgain treated field over the grower standard. Recorded a 45% increase in cumulative returns back to the farm during the same period (+ $1900 per acre) Recorded a 28% increase in marketable yield and average size of marketable fruit. Recorded a 22% decrease in plant mortality due to Macrophomina as of May 12, 2014

38 1/13/2014 1/20/2014 1/27/14 2/3/2014 2/10/2014 2/17/2014 2/24/2014 3/6/2014 3/13/2014 3/20/2014 Trays per Acre (10 lb. equivalent) Cumulative Production over Time Chart 6: Microgain in Strawberries - Ventura County, Fall/Winter Cumulative Marketable Production by Pick Day flat differential Grower Standard Pick Day GS/Microgain

39 1/13/2014 1/20/2014 1/27/14 2/3/2014 2/10/2014 2/17/2014 2/24/2014 3/6/2014 3/13/2014 3/20/2014 Dollars per Acre $8, Cumulative Net Return Chart 8: Microgain in Strawberries - Ventura County, Fall/Winter Cumulative Marketable Production Net Return by Pick Day $6, Plus $1900 return $4, $2, $0.00 Pick Day Grower Standard GS/Microgain

40 No Microgain in non-fumigated buffer zone

41 Microgain applied left of center

42 Microgain applied right of center

43 Key Points 1082 flats in Microgain treated area versus 769 flats after first 20 weeks of picking 28 % increase in marketable fruit with Microgain 25% reduction in plant mortality by June 1, 2014 evaluation over the grower standard alone.

44 Seven Years of Yield Data for Strawberries Treated with Biostimulants 45.0% Holden Research and Consulting Biostimulants on Strawberries from 2007 to 2014 Percent Difference in Production for Harvest Days Tracked over the Grower Standard 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 18.7% Average for all 25.0% 20.0% % Difference over Standard 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0%

45 Dollar Value $5, Holden Research and Consulting Biostimulants on Strawberries from 2007 to 2014 Net Dollars per Acre Difference in Production for Harvest Days Tracked over the Grower Standard $4, $4, $3, $3, $2, $2, $1358/ac Average for all Dollar Differential $1, $1, $ $-

46 Biostimulent Activity of a Seaweed in Avocados Presentation made at the First World Congress on the use of Biostimulents in Agriculture, November 2012 in Strassburg, France Published Paper can be found on my website at:

47 The Effect Acadian Seaweed Extract and Abamectin on Thrips David Holden Holden Research and Consulting Camarillo, CA Robin Ross Acadian Seaplants LLC Dartmouth, NS of Hass Avocados

48 Thrip-Damage in Avocados Photo Credit: UC IPM Online

49 Treatments Control Abamectin 10 oz/a Acadian Seaweed Extract 2 lb/a Abamectin 10 oz/a + Acadian Seaweed Extract 2 lb/a All abamectin treatments applied foliar and included 415 spray oil at 1% v/v.

50 Trial Details Randomized complete block design with 4 two tree replicates. Materials applied to small trees with a Solo Backpack Sprayer simulating 100 gallons per acre. Treatments applied foliar at petal fall (mid- May) for thrips (Scirtothrips perseae), repeated 8 weeks later (late-july) for Persea mites (Oligonychus perseae).

51 Trial Location, Camarillo, CA, USA

52 a b Thrip counts based on 5 newly emerged leaves sampled per replicate and total number of immature thrips counted from the underside of the leaves.

53 Acadian s Ascophyllum nodosum Extract on Mites Persea mites form colonies on the underside of the avocado leaves. When enough colonies are present, the leaf will fall off the tree. By reducing mite colonies, Acadian s Ascophyllum nodosum extract strengthens the leaves and produces high quality crops.

54 Colonies per Leaf Chart 2: Acadian Seaweed Extract as an Enhancement to Pesticide Efficacy - Spring Avocado Persea Mite Control in Avocados - Colony Counts per Leaf 70.0 a a a b c c 11 DAT-B 18 DAT-B 28 DAT-B UTC Agrimek/Oil Agrimek/Oil/Acadian Acadian Mite counts based on 5 newly emerged leaves sampled per replicate. Counts were taken from the underside of the leaves. Colonies generally house 1-4 mites per colony and 5-10 eggs. b b

55 Acadian Seaweed Extract as an Enhancement to Pesticide Efficacy - Spring Avocado Persea Mite Control in Avocados - Colony Counts per Leaf 70 C o l o n i e s a a ab a Untreated Acadian Foliar P e r ab b b Acadian Soil Abamectin Abamectin + Acadian L e a f 10 bc c b b b Days After Treatment *Mite counts based on 5 newly emerged leaves sampled per replicate. Counts were taken from the underside of the leaves. Colonies generally house 1-4 mites per colony and 5-10 eggs. *Means followed by the same letter are not different, Duncan s New MRT,.10.

56 Acadian Seaweed Extract as an Enhancement to Pesticide Efficacy - Spring Avocado Yield Number of Fruit Per Tree 80 N u m b e r P e r T r e e Untreated Acadian Foliar Acadian Soil Abamectin Abamectin + Acadian 0 Days After Treatment **Means followed by the same letter are not different, Duncan s New MRT,.10

57 2012 Results Very cool spring with little significant thrips pressure. Small populations Transitioned into a very warm mid and late summer with multiple hot and humid days conducive to mite reproduction. Much heavier mite pressure in the summer of 2012 when compared to the previous two summers (2010,2011)

58 Colonies per Leaf Acadian Seaweed Extract as an Enhancement to Pesticide Efficacy Summer Avocado Persea Mite Control in Avocados - Colony Counts per Leaf Chart 3: Acadian SSEP as an Enhancement to Pesticide Efficacy - Summer Avocado Persea Mite Control in Avocados - Colony Counts per Leaf 250 a Treated July 23, Pre-Treat 7 DAT 13 DAT 19 DAT 26 DAT 35 DAT 41 DAT UTC Agrimek/Oil Acadian SSEP Agrimek/Oil/Acadian SSEP *Mite counts based on 5 newly emerged leaves sampled per replicate. Counts were taken from the underside of the leaves. Colonies generally house 1-4 mites per colony and 5-10 eggs. *Means followed by the same letter are not different, Duncan s New MRT,..05 b

59 Conclusions Acadian Seaweed Extract suppresses foliar feeding damage by thrips on many crops. Acadian Seaweed Extract can work very well both alone and in combination with Abamectin to reduce thrips and mites in avocados. Acadian Seaweed Extract may improve fruit set of avocados Under some environmental conditions that favor pest populations the effects of the Acadian (or other seaweed extracts) may be negated by those climatic conditions conducive to the pest population, but the effects of the Acadian products had the potential to reduce the number of treatments on the tested avocado trees at least two years in a row.

60 So What Should we Think about all of this? What are these products? Fertilizers, Pesticides, or Biostimulents Interesting Paper on this and I have posted a presentation on my web site regarding the authors viewpoints. content/uploads/2011/12/phosphates-vs.- Phosphites-November pdf Personally, I like to explain most of them as a soup of bioactive molecules, which are very hard to define, but obviously active.

61 Some Final Thoughts You may or may not be deluged with requests to try this product or that. Ask for hard data. Realize a product may or may not work in your environment. Example, Humics were not as consistent for me until I could apply with drip tape and concentrate the product. Be cautious of making big decisions if the manufacturer cannot give you much data. I was once told how safe a product was and that there was no high end rate that caused damage. That was correct, but we did find out there was a high end side that shut the plant down for a time being. There are plenty of products out there that are working. Good luck with them!

62 David Holden Holden Research and Consulting Website: Facebook: