Improve your strike rate & propagation efficiency with Clonex. This leading propagation gel improves safety by eliminating splash and blow about and allows anyone to achieve professional propagation results. Clonex is available from Garden City Plastics in three different strengths and three different sizes (1L, 5L or 20L)

Key Benefits:

• Gel formulation advantageous for safe handling, eliminating splash or blow-about of product
• Gel seals cut tissue instantly, eliminating the risk of infection or embolism
• Increased strike rate with gel retaining active ingredient against plant tissue
• Formulation available in three different strengths for softwood, semi–hardwood and hardwood cuttings

#clonex #propagation #gcp

Click here to purchase Clonex - Rooting Hormones

Product Code: WM915100
Material: Woven Polypropylene
Size: 0.915m wide x 100m long
Weight: 108 gsm

Special price of $65 + GST, while stocks last

• Premium weedmat made in Greece
• Heavy duty
• 5 year UV warranty
• Other sizes available
• Free delivery to metro areas, country FOB

Click here to visit the product page.

It’s a new novel approach to weed management and offers many benefits to the grower. It’s versatile, economical and designed to fit the P300ST pot.
Available in Black, (colour on request), from all GCP branches nationwide.
Click here to visit the product page.

by Elliott Akintola

Origins

The rhizosphere is complex and comprises of distinct microbial communities. The soil which is the most abundant primary plant growing environment contains huge quantities of microbial biomass, including fungi, protists, viruses, bacteria, archaea and other microbial eukaryotes which are collectively referred to as the soil microbiome (Fierer 2017). Each microorganism in the below ground ecosystem can exhibit distinct physiological and ecological attributes which in part, is due to the heterogenicity of a single soil that can consist of a wide range of diverse microbial habitats with unique microbial communities (Serna‐Chavez, Fierer & Van Bodegom 2013).

Soil microorganisms have crucial roles in nutrient cycling, maintenance of fertility and carbon sequestration, (Chaparro et al. 2012). The importance of the soil microbiome on plant health has long been recognised, becoming the foundation of various biological technologies and innovations deployed in a wide range of growing practices.

Today’s Reality

Horticultural growers are gradually realising that biological technologies hold tremendous amount of promise to improving plant production and yield. The increasing attention to sustainability and environmental footprint of plant production, occupational health, and safety, increased frequency of extreme weather events, availability and higher input costs are major factors fostering new thinking amongst growers for alternative methods of pest control, fertility, or more efficient with nutrition strategy. Moreover, biologicals can play a significant role in abating abiotic stresses and improving plant recovery process.

However, the industry still struggles in the key area of accepting the credibility. A 2021 Farm Journal Survey of US growers had 41% indicate that trust of product performance was a concern in adoption of biologicals and the same can be said for growers in Australia and other parts of the world. Specifically, many Australian growers have experienced biological technologies at some point in their production but many of the early product entrants struggled in some important ways.

Initially, they were over promised but under delivered on their claims or struggled with variability in performance because users could not fully appreciate or understand where the technologies best fit. In some cases, the results shared were anecdotal and devoid of strong science. Technologies in the space, especially the early entrants also struggled with scalability and may have been better suited to home gardens instead of large commercial scale production.

What Is Available?

In the last 10 – 15 years, the biological space has been maturing rapidly and upon closer inspection, the leading products appear to be based on sound scientific research with clear and fundamental understanding of the mode of action involved in gaining results. Second, and probably the most important attribute is that they have been widely and repetitively tested in the field, providing a valuable understanding of where the technologies do and do not work. The leading technologies are also capable of scalability and deployment for large production systems such as landscape, turf management, propagation (cuttings and seed) and production nursery functions such as: media incorporation and spraying.

Biologicals available today come in different forms and functionality and can be grouped into four classes based on their use. An overall summary of each class is highlighted below:

I. Biocontrol Agents (BCA) or Biopesticides

This is a very active and rapidly evolving area. Also known as biopesticides, they target a crop pest (above and/or below ground) and provide protection either by directly attacking the pest, or by upregulating a plant’s own defence mechanisms. Mostly derived from live strains of the soil microbiome, they could also be non-living substances like fatty acids, pheromones, or plant extracts. Live organisms such as naturally occurring or commercially produced beneficial insects such as Ladybugs, Aphidius, Persimilis etc are considered part of this group. In terms of functionality, they could be further subdivided into the following.

II. Biostimulants

These contain 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 (Calvo, Nelson & Kloepper 2014). They operate through different mechanisms than fertilisers, regardless of the presence of nutrients in the products. Some biostimulants stimulate a plant’s natural defence mechanism against pests and can induce Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) or Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR), biostimulants that do this are clearly acting as a form of pesticide.
Most, though not all, biostimulants are comprised of non-living products. Biostimulant products may include materials like:

III. Biofertilizers

These play a significant role in helping growers efficiently use fertiliser. The application of a biological product can improve soil health and help plants absorb nutrients applications more effectively, requiring less products for optimum yield. Biofertilizers can replace or complement synthetic fertilizers but shouldn’t be confused with Biostimulants. A simple differentiation is to view biostimulants as products that can treat the “symptom” of a plant problem while biofertilizers address the “cause.” For instance, Biostimulants can help a plant recover or cope with abiotic stress from drought conditions while biofertilizers would help to improve soil fertility, structure, and water use efficiency to prevent drought conditions.
Biofertilizer products may include:

IV. Biodigesters

Although, mostly used in broad acre for carbon recycling and preparing the field for planting, they are nature’s soil conditioners because they can convert free and available source carbon generated from post-harvest wastes and turn it into nutrients for soil and plants. The adoption of biodigesters is gradually growing because they are a sustainable strategy in waste management. They can reduce and eliminate toxic, left-over chemistries from previous production such as herbicide residues and growth retardant compounds. Examples of biodigesters include Saprophytes such as Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus species and products like humic acids which feed and support the microorganisms introduced through the biodigester product.

A closer look at a microbiome hero - Bacteria

The most abundant bacteria to exist at the rhizosphere are Bacillus spp. It is also known from various experiments that Bacillus spp. are also the most active during the plant development phase. Bacillus spp. obviously play a significant role in plant growth and development and protection of new roots from disease.

Two of the most well studied of the Bacillus spp. are Bacillus subtilis (Bs) and the less well-known Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (Ba). There are commercially available “biofertilisers” and “biofungicides” based on Bs and many players in the plant protection markets such as the multi-national giant BAYER, Syngenta, Corteva etc have continued to make serious investments in this space. Notable examples are the recent acquisition of AgraQuest by Bayer for US$425 million for their stable of Bs and the deal between Organic Crop Protectants Pty Ltd with German company Abitep GmBH to distribute a Ba strain called RhizoVital® FBZ42. This is an indicator of the current and future value placed on this group of bacteria to horticulture.

How do Bacillus spp. influence plants?

Accumulating evidence indicates that Bs and Ba like FBZ42 influences plant growth and development by the production of phytohormones such as auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins that are subsequently plant available. There are several metabolites (small molecules) that are released by these strains which increase nutrient availability to the plant. Bs and Ba secrete small iron chelating compounds called siderophores which benefit the plant roots in the immediate rhizosphere. Phosphorus (P) is an important macronutrient that is immobile and strongly held by soil colloids and unavailable to plants. Ba FBZ42 is one of the rhizobacteria that is most efficient at solubilising the insoluble inorganic P to make it available to plants. There are other positive effects of Rhizovital to influence plant growth.

Bs and Ba inhibit pathogens in two ways and the first is that they compete for spaces around the roots and form a barrier which the pathogens, such as soil borne fungi, cannot penetrate. More intriguingly, studies show that the production of antifungal substances gives an antibiotic affect that deters pathogens and, rhizobacteria, including Bs and Ba, synthesise antifungal antibiotics which inhibit the growth of soil borne fungi in the vicinity.

Secondly, rhizobacteria including Bs and Ba can simulate infected plants to respond with a salicylic-dependent signalling cascade that leads to a long-lasting disease resistance against fungi, bacteria, and viruses. This is the concept of induced systemic resistance centred on a plant’s response to a local infection response.

A word on RhizoVital®FBZ42

As with so many things in life, not all strains of Bs and Ba are the same; Bacillus work in symbiosis with the fine root hairs to create a live barrier protecting the root that disease cannot penetrate. The important thing to know is that most strains of bacillus remain near the surface leaving fresh root growth vulnerable to attack by pathogens. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FBZ42 (RhizoVital®) is a unique strain that moves with the developing root, maintaining a barrier and antibiotic affect against pathogen attack for the entire root mass. This coverage of the whole root ensures disease has no opportunity to set infection. It also provides the flexibility of using fungicide sprays (except copper-based fungicides) in combination with Rhizovital in production systems.

Figure 1:Effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 on early plant development in tomato

Promoting the activity of Bacillus spp. in soils and growing media

Bs and Ba are aerobic bacteria, so they need oxygen to interact with the plant roots and create the enzymes required to increase nutrient availability. Basic plant management principles of maintaining a well aerated pot or soil profile, to facilitate gas exchange through a balance of aggregate to maintain air spaces and reduce water logging are paramount in aiding the efficacy of Bs and Ba.

Conclusion

It is quite a daunting task to validate which biological technology would be best fit for one’s growing operation. As mentioned above, there are different types of microbial derived products which can be useful to the commercial producer. Once a suitable product has been selected, the first step should be to investigate what scientific evidence is available preferably via sound independent research. The next query would be to identify the scope of the technology. Has the technology been robustly evaluated especially in the field? Is it on a few or multiple crop types, locations, and growing conditions? It is critical to understand whether the technology is based on live microbes or it just an extract of some kind. The importance here is to understand the best storage and handling practices appropriate for the technology.

It is key to know if the technology is a complete solution with clear, easy-to-use instructions or does it require some customisation in the operation to be applied. Finally, whatever technology one has chosen it must be clear where it fits or how it can be incorporated into existing management practices. Knowledge of the growing system and the intended product is critical to achieving success.

References

Calvo, P, Nelson, L & Kloepper, JW 2014, 'Agricultural uses of plant biostimulants', Plant and Soil, vol. 383, no. 1, pp. 3-41, DOI 10.1007/s11104-014-2131-8, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2131-8.

Chaparro, JM, Sheflin, AM, Manter, DK & Vivanco, JM 2012, 'Manipulating the soil microbiome to increase soil health and plant fertility', Biology and Fertility of Soils, vol. 48, no. 5, pp. 489-99.

DPH Biologicals, Biologicals 101 for Ag Retailers, Farm Advisors and Growers

Fierer, N 2017, 'Embracing the unknown: disentangling the complexities of the soil microbiome', Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 15, no. 10, pp. 579-90, DOI 10.1038/nrmicro.2017.87, https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro.2017.87.

G, R, Leeson, Organic Crop Protectants (OCP) Pty Ltd. ‘Bacteria rule the world’.

https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/what-are-biopesticides

https://www.bpia.org/solutions-provided-by-biological-products-biopesticides/

Danisaraba® introduces a highly effective new mode of action that’s ideal for first-line control of Two-Spotted Spider Mites and other Tetranychid (web-spinning species) such as Byrobia Mites, European Red Mites, Citrus Red Mites, Oriental Spider Mites at all life stages.

Early application of Danisaraba can assist in preventing infestations reaching damaging levels while also easing selection pressure on older chemistry. Its unique site of action will also help manage the development of resistance to other miticides.

It is highly compatible with a range of IPM systems, with minimal impact on beneficial species, including predatory mites.

Key Benefits:

• Highly effective at all life stages
• Rapid knockdown and up to 21 days residual control
• A new mode of action with no known cross-resistance
• Minimal impact on beneficial mites and insects
• Minimal impact on bee numbers and behaviour

Introducing Garden City Plastics new 50L 480mm slimline pot, the P480SL.

The P480SL is an economical alternative to the P500SL, with savings in production and freight. The P480SL has all the same features of the P500SL, however holds 2 litres less media and fits 5 to a pallet without overhang.

Like the P500SL it pairs perfectly with the 500mm standard saucer (SCR500).

Order your P480SL now!

#plastic #pot #pp5 #recyclable #gardencityplastics #nurseryandgardensupplies

Win 1000L of Slasher Organic Weedkiller in the OCP Spring Giveaway!!!

Competition time! For your chance to win 1,000L of Slasher organic weedkiller from OCP, simply purchase 20L of Slasher from us and describe why Slasher is your preferred organic weedkiller. Get in soon! Entries close 30th September 2022.

To enter follow these steps:

• Buy 20L of Slasher Organic Weedkiller now.
• Complete the Slasher Spring Giveaway entry form to register your entry with OCP.

Good Luck!

#GardenCityPlastics #OCP #Slasher #organic #weedkiller #nursery #plantlife

GCP’s own Agronomist, Elliott Akintola has been supporting Garden City Plastics customers and Field Managers Australia wide since 2018. The GCP Agronomy Support is free to all GCP customers and provides unlimited access to experts and specialists including GCP Allied Partners, via phone and on site. Whether it’s optimising nutrition, managing pest and disease, improving water and irrigation, or leveraging controlled environments, the GCP Agronomy Team has the support you need. Contact agronomyteam@gardencityplastics.com or phone 1300695098 to discuss your requirements.

Elliott Akintola | PCA Conference 2022

FEATURED PRODUCT: The 200mm 4 litre Euro pot offers a uniquely formed shape for a classy look with a distinctive base drainage pattern which is ideally suited to capillary watering. Benching avoids wastage occurring from overhead watering, the bottom up feeding practice and can also lengthen the cycle for fertilization. This container includes our tag lock system for effective plant labelling. The 200mm Shuttle tray adds stability.
Available in clear, colour, black and printed, from all GCP branches nationwide.
Click here to visit the product page.

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IPPS Conference 2022  50 Years

We are proud to be the major sponsor of the 50 years anniversary of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) Australia Conference. This year, we would be exhibiting our brand new and exciting range of propagation products at this year’s conference!!

Should you find yourself in the Blue Mountains, come and have a chat with the GCP Agronomist and Field Managers for all your propagation needs. #IPPS #propagators

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It’s versatile, economical and a great addition to the Garden City Plastics slimline tag lock standard pot range. It is suitable for all smaller crops, succulents, indoor lines, herbs, potted colour and perennials.
Available in clear, colour, black and printed, from all GCP branches nationwide.
Click here to visit the product page

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