Specialty & Remedial Products 
 
In addition to biological enhancement, at times we need to address short term issues to return some productivity in the short term. In the transition to healthier soils we have identified a number of natural and softer products to help address a number of common soil ailments .
 
Sundry (Insects, Disease, Salinity)
 
  • Toughen Up         Liquid Potassium Silicate (14% elemental Silica - 16% elemental Potassium)
  • Leach                   Salinity Remediation (Ammonium Laurel & Laureth Sulphate 15% w/v)
  • Nature Wet           Natural (Yucca based) Surfactant /Wetting Agent
 
 
 



Toughen-UP
 
Toughen-UP is a highly concentrated and stable Potassium Silicate solution.
 
Silicate is often dubbed as the “Calcium organiser”, because it works in conjunction with Calcium to build cell wall strength within the plant. Research indicates a direct correlation between high Silicate levels in plant tissue and resistance to both fungal and insect attacks. Silica is found in all plants and its foliar concentration varies from approx. 0.1% to 0.3% (on a dry weight basis), which is comparable to that of Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Sulphur.
 
Silicate interacts in a positive manner improving agronomic performance and efficiency in terms of yield response due to the fact that it increases the translocation of nutrients within the plant. It also results in a substantial reduction in cuticular transpiration due to increased water use efficiency within the plant.
 
This unique nutrient has the ability to substantially improve plant health with the result that it can cope with periods of stress far more efficiently. The plant is more productive and more efficient in storing nutrients in the growing points, resulting in plants of a much higher quality.
 
In turf grasses the increased cell wall strength enables the plants to cope with the pressure of wear and helps increase the turfs’ general resistance to insect and disease pressures.
 


Application Rates:

Toughen-UP can be applied on a regular basis over the life of the crop.
 
Greens and Tees, Sportsfields, Fairways, Greens and General Sports turf:
Apply 500ml – 1 litre 1000 m2every second month.
 
General landscape use (trees, shrubs, garden areas, including natives):
Apply 500ml Ha early in the season and repeat the application after 4—6 weeks.
 
Greenhouse Crops, Orchards, General Application:
Apply as a foliar 500ml 100 litres water every 4 – 6 weeks.

Hydroponic:
Apply weekly to maintain a base level of 300 ml per 1000 litres of water, apply via a separate tank and drip into the system over an extended period. Do not add concentrate to nutrient tanks.

Field/Row Crops:
Apply 500ml per hectare early in the season and repeat 3 – 4 weeks later.
 
Stone Fruit:
Apply 500ml per hectare after petal fall and before pit hardening, repeat 3 – 4 weeks later.
 
Cut Flowers:
Apply 500m per 100 litres water approx 1 week after each cut.
 

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LEACH
 
LEACH flocculates soils and helps displace Sodium from the exchange sites, a process that leads to the formation of aggregates and pore spaces in the soil profile. By creating soil aggregates,LEACH applications (at low rates) can encourage the leaching of salts and the freeing up of Calcium and Magnesium. The subsequent reduction of salinity levels within the root zone also enables the plant to resume the absorbtion of both water and nutrients.

The addition of irrigation water which is high in Bicarbonates, and the continual application of fertilizers can, over time, lead to a build up of Sodium in the soil. The Sodium ions take up space on the cation exchange and reduce the ability of other cations, notably Calcium and Magnesium to access the exchange. As a result, Calcium and Magnesium form into insoluble salts (Calcium phosphate, Calcium carbonate) and (Magnesium carbonate) affecting their availability to the plant. In advanced situations the soil can become sodic, also reducing the movement and uptake of water, air, and nutrients by plant roots.

 

Application Rates:

Turf & Sportsfields:
Apply 300ml - 400ml per 1000m2
 
General landscape use (trees, shrubs, garden areas): 
Apply 2 litres - 3 litres per hectare before base-feed application.
 
Orchards and vineyards:
Apply 2 litres – 3 litres per hectare in winter and before base-feed application.
 
Field/Row Crops:
Apply 1.5 litres – 2 litres per hectare before rain events.
 
Greenhouse crops:
Apply 2 litres – 3 litres per hectare every 6-8 weeks.
 
Orchards and vineyards:
Apply 2 litres – 3 litres per hectare in winter and before base-feed application.
 
Greenhouse crops:
Apply 2 litres – 3 litres per hectare (20ml – 30ml per 100m2) every 6-8 weeks.
 
LEACH can be applied at any time and during any stage of growth. It is however best applied in Autumn and/or before any land preparation and base feed applications are done.
 

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Nature Wet
 
NatureWet is a natural/organic soil wetter, it combines the beneficial effects of several plant species, the extracts of which act as a powerful natural surfactant (wetting agent), enhancing the penetration of water and fertilizer, especially in hard, compacted or alkaline soils. The natural compounds contained in NatureWet breakdown surface tension,increase percolation and moisture retention in the soil.
 
These natural compounds also have a number of beneficial properties for agriculture and horticulture. Research has demonstrated significant improvements in plant growth corresponding with their use, and has identified that these natural plant extracts have the ability to increase cell wall permeability stimulating microbial activity on the surface of roots and seeds. This activity increases moisture uptake and the rate of development of shoots and roots. The treatment of seeds with dilute solutions accelerated germination and increased subsequent growth rates. 
 


Application Rates:

NatureWet can be sprayed, metered into irrigation water or mixed with fertilizers. In addition to soils, it makes a fantastic wetting agent for coir, peat moss, potting soils and soil-less mixes.
 
Add concentrate to tank to make a 1% solution (1 litre per 100 litres) If using as a soil drench, apply the diluted solution (tank mix) at 100 litres per 1000m2equivalent to (1000 litres per hectare).
 
Apply 10-20 litres of diluted solution per cubic metre of compost, potting media.
 
If foaming is a problem use an anti-foaming agent or a small amount vegetable oil in the tank.
 
FOR BEST RESULTS, NatureWet SHOULD BE APPLIED AS A SURFACE SPRAY AND THEN FOLLOWED BY HEAVY IRRIGATION.
 

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