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 Challenges:

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 Solutions' Product Range:-

Microbial soil inoculants

• LifeForce2®
• FirstBase2®
• FirstBase2® Seed
• Landbac®
• Waterbac®
• Biostart®
• Seedbac®
• ^DPress®
• Likuiq® Semia
• Likuiq® WB74

Microbial foliar

• ^DPress®

Microbial food supplements

• Microboost® Activator
• Genesis® Leonardite Humate Liquid and Granules

Organic carbon additives

• Genesis® Leonardite Humate Liquid
• Genesis® Leonardite Humate Granules
• Genesis® Fulvic Acid
• Genesis® Superguard®

Indirect effects of the use of the Microbial Solutions range of products:

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:

• promotes the growth of all other beneficial soil microbes
• kick-starts the growth of the soil food chain, thereby supporting all life forms
• decreases many common root diseases and soil pests such as nematodes
• increases uptake of nutrients and fertilisers in the soil leading to considerable input cost reductions
• the microbial activity reduces compaction
  • increasing aerobic depths and activity which will
  • increase root growth and depth
  • increase water holding and drainage capacities
  • chelate locked-up elements making them available to the plant
  • reduce further element lock-up of new fertiliser applications
  • reduce the loss of Nitrogen out of the soil
  • make working the soils easier reducing the amount of diesel used
  • reduce the need for large implements and tractors
• increases yields
• increases protein, sugar & oil contents

Direct effects when using Microbial Solutions' programs:

Living Microbial Products

LifeForce2®, FirstBase2®

• The world's first all-purpose soil inoculants - kick-starts soil biology.
• Formulated for use on all crops, all soil types under all climatic conditions.
• Should be used wherever and whenever fertiliser of any description is used.
  • Growth stimulation - makes N & P available, and produces the growth hormones auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins.
  • Disease suppression - suppresses many common fungal root diseases.
• Soil pest reduction – can aid in the suppression of nematode eggs, juveniles and many insect larvae in the root zone when used with Microboost® Chitinfreeze.
• Available for application as in-furrow, high pressure spray, pivots, drippers, micros etc.
• Best co-applied with Genesis® Leonardite Humates (see below).

FirstBase2® Seed

• The world's first all-purpose seed treatment that kick-starts soil biology. Formulated for use on all crops, all soil types under all climatic conditions.
• Should be used wherever and whenever fertiliser of any description is used.
  • Growth stimulation - makes N & P available, and produces the growth hormones auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins.
  • Disease suppression - suppresses many common fungal root diseases.

Likuiq® Semia, Likuiq® WB74.

• Soybean rhizobium inoculants.
• High strength – claim 2 x 109, actual between 5 x 109 and 9 x 109.
• Long shelf lives of over 1 year.
• Can safely be applied as a seed treatment up to 6 days before planting.

Landbac®, Waterbac® & Biostart®

• Growth stimulation - makes N & P available, and produces the growth hormones auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins.
• Disease suppression - suppresses many common fungal root diseases.
• Soil pest reduction – Biostart® has been shown to suppress nematode eggs, juveniles and many insect larvae in the root zone.
• Best co-applied with Genesis® Leonardite Humates (see below).

Seedbac®

• Applied as a seed dressing for additional plant enhancement.
• Encompasses all of the benefits of the Landbac®, Waterbac® & Biostart® in terms of growth stimulation etc.

^DPress®

• Disease suppression - naturally suppresses many common root and leaf fungal pathogens.
• Best co-applied with Genesis® Superguard®.

Microboost Additives:

Microboost® Foliar

• A high energy microbe and plant foliar stimulant formulated for foliar applications.
• Best co-applied with Press® and Genesis® Superguard®

Soil Microboost® Root

• A high energy microbe and plant root stimulant formulated for soil applications.
• Best co-applied with LifeForce2®, FirstBase2®, Landbac®, Waterbac® & Biostart® Microboost® Chitinfreeze
• A source of natural plant protein that stimulates certain microbes to produce chitinase, the enzyme that hardens and eliminates many soil pests' eggs.
• To be co-applied with Biostart®, LifeForce2®, & FirstBase2®.

Humates / Organic Carbons:

Genesis® Leonardite Humates

• Promotes growth - used as a root supplement it is a source of organic carbon and amino acids, chelates minerals, makes fertiliser available reducing quantities required, extends urea availability, makes P available & reduces P lock-up.
• Improves soil structure - enhances drainage, retains moisture under drought conditions, breaks up clay and hard pans, buffers soil pH and reduces toxins.

Genesis® Fulvic Acid

• Enhances chemical uptake - especially herbicides.
• Growth stimulation - leaf growth stimulant, makes fertiliser available reducing quantities required, chelates & dissolves minerals, and builds brix levels.

Genesis Superguard®

• Disease suppression - used in conjunction with ^DPress® to suppress many common root and leaf diseases.

Product Quality:

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:

• at 2 x 109 = 2,000,000,000 microbes / ml, our products have at least 1,000 times more bacteria per litre than any other product giving the farmer the most cost effective microbial solutions on the market today
• temperature tolerances of 850c, essential for South African farming conditions
• no special transport required, guaranteed to arrive on the farm still alive
• no need to store in a refrigerated room shelf life of over 18 months under room temperatures
• guaranteed spore germination of 98% to 100% safe to use around humans and environmentally friendly
• no special safety or other equipment required for application

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.

Product Selection:

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.

• Landbac® is used on all dry land crops.
• Waterbac® is for crops under irrigation where there is little to no nematode or other soil pest threat.
• Biostart® can be used both under irrigation and on dry lands if there is a serious nematode* or other soil insect threat.
• ^DPress® is primarily formulated for disease pressure reduction both in the soil and foliar.

* 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.

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.

Application Rates:-

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.

Dry land crops:

Maize, wheat, sorghum, soyas, dry beans, sunflowers etc.

• 1 litre LifeForce2®, FirstBase2®, or Landbac® + 4 litres (or 4 to 6 kg) Genesis® Leonardite Humate Liquid / ha.

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.

Pastures:

• a) Dry land pastures - applied as a one-off to the soil by spraying or by any other means to wash it into the soil, at plant or soon after:
  • 1 litre LifeForce2®, FirstBase2®, or Landbac® + 4 litres (or 4 to 6 kg) Genesis® Leonardite Humate Liquid / ha.
• Certain farmers broadcast their Genesis® Humate Granules and follow up by spraying the liquid Landbac® applications.

• b) Irrigated pastures - applied as an initial booster followed with frequently top-ups as regularly as possible as per the options below:
  • Initial booster - 1 litre LifeForce2®, FirstBase2®, or Landbac® + 4 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.
  • Weekly - 125 ml LifeForce2®, FirstBase2®, or Landbac® + 1 litre Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha. or
  • Fortnightly - 500 ml LifeForce2®, FirstBase2®, or Landbac® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha. or
  • Monthly - 1 litre LifeForce2®, FirstBase2®, or Landbac® + 4 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.

Irrigated crops:

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:

• a) Vegetables
  • At plant – 1 litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.
  • Thereafter every two weeks - 500 ml LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha..

Young & Established Trees and Vines

• b) Permanent crops (orchards, vineyards etc)
  • At budding – 1litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.
  • Mid October – 1 litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.
  • End November – 1 litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.
  • Post-harvest - 1litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.

Fumigated New Plantings of Trees and Vines

• • At budding – 1 litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.
  • Mid October – 1 litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.
  • End November – 1 litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.
  • Post-harvest – 1 litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.

Non Fumigated New Plantings of Trees and Vines
• • At plant – 1 litre Press® + 5 litres Genesis® Superguard / ha.
  • Two weeks after plant – 1 litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.
  • Mid October - 500 ml Biostart® + 1 litre Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.
  • Mid November - 1 litre ^DPress® + 5 litres Genesis® Superguard / ha.
  • End November - 500 ml Biostart® + 1 litre Genesis® Leonardite Humates from R 232-50 / ha / application.
  • Two weeks before post harvest application - 1 litre ^DPress® + 5 litres Genesis® Superguard / ha.
  • Post-harvest - 1 litre LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 2 litres Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha.

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.

Plastic tunnels, Shade-net & Greenhouses:

• 250 ml LifeForce2®, Waterbac® or Biostart® + 1 litre Genesis® Leonardite Humates / ha / week.

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.