A unique range of soil and crop nutrition supplements will help farmers achieve cost-effective performance improvements while optimising traditional chemical inputs across a range of crops.
The ED&F Man Agronomy range contains four products formulated for specific situations and requirements, including seaweed and fulvic acid options. The range has been developed for foliar and soil applications.
Over a 10-year development phase, the range has shown to benefit cereals, root crops, salad crops and potatoes as well as grass and maize crops.
“Based on sustainable molasses, this range has been developed to improve soil fertility and improve crop growth in a sustainable way and reverse some of the problems resulting from degradation of soil organic matter,” explains Alistair Hugill from ED&F Man Agronomy.
“Artificial fertiliser regimes can lead to reduced soil carbon and lower levels of organic matter, compromising crop yields. It is therefore important to reverse this trend, to rebuild soil organic matter and promote more efficient nutrient uptake for more profitable and sustainable production.”
Research has shown an effective way to achieve this is by increasing the supply of readily available energy to the soil microbiome, increasing their activity and nutrient uptake. Additionally, increasing the supply of carbon will help to improve the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties.
Sustainable cane molasses is a natural source of both carbon and energy and when blended with additional liquid nutrient packages can impact each layer of the soil profile, including the crop, organic, topsoil and sub soil. Mr Hugill says crop yields are increased through more efficient foliar uptake and absorption of nutrients. In independent trials, the use of one of ED&F Mans Agronomy products increased the yield of carrots by more than 3%.
“The high carbohydrate content supplied in a molasses-based liquid nutrient package stimulates microbial populations in the organic layer and drives microbial activity through to the topsoil, stimulating greater nutrient uptake. This improves crop establishment and helps stabilise soil nutrients, supporting crop growth.
“Finally, the sub soil layer typically has lower microbial activity levels. However, a molasses-based liquid nutrient package stimulates the aerobic microbial populations which can improve the living soil biome,” he concludes
