Background:
Founded in 1995 Microbial solutions is South Africa's oldest biological control company. Our 18 years of experience covers irrigated and dry land crops; this season alone we covered some 60,000 ha of maize, sorghum, soyas, sunflowers and pastures. In addition we treat many thousands of hectares of vegetables and permanent crops such as orchards and vineyards.
The natural crop covering the bulk of South Africa's arable lands is basically a natural grass savannah. Since the beginning of time this vegetation and its supporting soils have been in perfect balance with each other. The advent of commercial farming has changed all of that. High value crops ranging from vegetables to permanent crops to grain have been introduced and now cover large tracts of the country. Our soils were never made to support those crops; there are simply not enough mineral elements, organic carbon, or soil life.
The shortage of mineral elements has been largely solved with the addition of commercial fertilisers. That leaves us with the challenges of solving the shortages of organic carbon and beneficial life in the soils. Long-term solutions lie with the farmer who needs to introduce good tillage practices, to rebuild his soils using organic materials, and to reduce the amount of synthetic chemicals and fertilisers applied. Short-term solutions include the supplementation of our Genesis Leonardite Humates (addressing the carbon shortage) plus our range of microbial products which correct the lack of soil microbes. This program rapidly builds up the entire soil food-chain allowing crops to maximise their potential.
Being soil inoculants, Microbial Solutions' products improve the quality of the soil regardless of the crop being grown. We all know that one can plant anything into good soils and it will grow well. But that is only a portion of the benefits accrued. The use of our products increases all microbial activity which automatically decreases many common root diseases and soil pests such as nematodes. The increased uptake of nutrients and fertilisers in the soil often lead to considerable input-cost reductions. Microbial activity reduces compaction not only further increasing growth, but also significantly reducing the amount of effort required to work the lands – most farmers report savings on diesel usage.
It is just a very smart way to farm – and it is organic.
Microbial soil inoculants
Microbial foliar
Microbial food supplements
Organic carbon additives
Being soil inoculants, Microbial Solutions' products improve the quality of the soil regardless of the crop being grown. It is common knowledge that anything planted in good soils will grow well. The use of our product programs increase microbial activity and organic carbon activity which automatically:
LifeForce2®, FirstBase2®
FirstBase2® Seed
Likuiq® Semia, Likuiq® WB74.
Landbac®, Waterbac® & Biostart®
Seedbac®
DPress®
Microboost® Foliar
Soil Microboost® Root
Genesis® Leonardite Humates
Genesis® Fulvic Acid
Genesis Superguard®
Microbial Solutions' living microbial products are manufactured to the highest quality using a unique fermentation process that leaves that the protein layer protecting each cell perfectly preserved. This is of critical importance and gives the product many technological advantages:
The Genesis range of humates comprise a genuine 85% Leonardite Granule, and a high concentrate Leonardite Liquid formulation requiring only 4 litres / ha to be effective. Their high amino, humic and fulvic acid contents feed the Microbial Solutions' range of living Bacillus bacterial products, producing the large quantities of growth hormones required to stimulate plant growth. This gives Microbial Solutions application programs a technological edge in terms of good soil health and increased yields.
Landbac®, Waterbac®, and Biostart® are all formulated for use as soil inoculants. DPress® however can be used as both a soil and/or a foliar inoculant.
* As not all soil pests are situated close enough to the plant's root zone to be affected by Biostart please consult your Microbial Solutions representative for specific information on the various different soil pest threats.
All of the above products can be used in various combinations with each other, but not necessarily at the same time. Depending on the severity of a soil pest infestation, Waterbac® and Biostart® can be alternated or applied in various different combinations. For example, in a program comprising four applications we could formulate product choice and usage according to the perceived severity of the problem.
Applications |
No soil pest problems |
Preventative |
Mild Infestation |
Severe Infestation |
At plant |
Waterbac® |
Biostart® |
Biostart® |
Biostart® |
2nd application |
Waterbac® |
Waterbac® |
Waterbac® |
Biostart® |
3rd application |
Waterbac® |
Waterbac® |
Waterbac® |
Biostart® |
4th application |
Waterbac® |
Waterbac® |
Biostart® |
Biostart® |
Press® can be inserted in between applications of other Microbial Solutions products leaving intervals of 5 to 7 days either side of the applications of the other products. It cannot however be co-applied in the same tank as any other living microbial product.
Detailed below are standard application rates. However, depending on factors unique to certain areas such as different soil types, weather patterns, an unusual season, or a history of or an unusual increase in the incidence or severity of a cyclical disease or soil pest etc, your local Microbial Solutions representative may suggest alternative rates to those listed in this document.
Please note that all prices quoted vary according to pack sizes purchased and at times to volumes required for transportation. All of the prices detailed below are based on the best-price scenario.
Maize, wheat, sorghum, soyas, dry beans, sunflowers etc.
On sandier soils many experienced farmers use an extra ½ litre Landbac® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates either at plant, especially in the case of soybean, or as a top dressing with maize and other crops at somewhere around 3 weeks after emergence. For further information please consult your Microbial Solutions' representative.
Used as a super-strength soil inoculant combination for all vegetable crops, orchards, vineyards, permanent crops and so on under drippers, micros, pivots or any other form of irrigation. All that is required is to wash the products into the root zone.
Application rates remain constant, but the total amount used on a particular crop will depend on the length of the crop cycle. The shorter the cycle the fewer the applications, the longer the cycle the more must be used.
Firstly select the product or product mix you wish to use from the Product Selection section above, and then apply the following standard rates:
Young & Established Trees and Vines
Fumigated New Plantings of Trees and Vines
Please note that the amount of product to be applied is frequently affected by the farmer's own management practices, most of it revolving around the amount of organic material there is in the orchard or vineyard. The higher the organic matter the less bacteria and humates required; lower organic soils require more bacteria, and so on. Therefore many farmers may adjust their applications according to their orchard/vineyard management practices.
Other products historically or currently being used - |
||
Humates alone |
Synthetic fertilisers & chemicals |
|
Mulched or |
Use Microbial Solutions (MS) |
Increase (MS) by one more |
composted ridges. |
standard applications above. |
application during the season. |
Bare exposed ridges |
Increase (MS) by one more |
Increase (MS) by two more |
application during the season. |
applications during the season. |
Plastic tunnels, Shade-net & Greenhouses:
Application Methods:
Products can be applied through the irrigation system, a tank on the planter, or simply sprayed onto the lands. They can be co-applied with most known agro-chemicals.
Product Preparation:
Landbac®, Waterbac®, Biostart® and DPress® can be mixed together with Genesis® Humates or Superguard® and co-applied in the same tank mix. Can be mixed with most agricultural chemicals.