Nutrient Balance Protects Against Disease

Traditional fertilisers may destroy plant microbiome’s ability to protect against disease.

Research Biologist at University of California US found that beneficial microbes on leaves of plants protect the plant from disease causing bacteria, but when the plant was fertilised the protection was negated leading to an increase in the population of pathogenic microbes on the plants leaves. SMS Guano helps Nutrient Balance (PDF) and this in turn will help protect against disease.

While the increase in bad bacteria on the leaves obviously makes the plants unhealthy, the study clearly shows that the fertiliser used throws the community of microbes off-balance allowing disease causing organisms to enter the plant. SMS Guano can help nutrient balance.

Nutrient Balance Plays a Crucial Role

The authors of the study did not specify what fertiliser was applied, however it is a well-established fact nutrient in-balance plays a detrimental role in disease and insect attacks.  This is why SMS Guano with Balanced Nutrients could help.  BALANCED Nutrition throughout the plant’s life enhances the health of the plant and immunity to disease and insect attacks. Obviously then, microbial destroying chemical insecticides and fungicides are then not needed to be used. Life in the soil as a result is protected and can perform their role in mineralising nutrients to plants requiring less fertiliser.

In agriculture today, the emphasis is on NPK water soluble fertilisers throwing the plants nutrient status out of BALANCE. Fertilisers such as SMS Guano provides Nutrient Balance, all important of phosphorus and the trace and micro minerals, all in a biologically available form allowing microbes to feed the plants in a BALANCED manner. As mentioned in our last blog, balanced nutrients are essential.

Independent research on SMS Guano by Microbiology Laboratories Australia have highlighted an amazing contrast to the microbial attractiveness to SMS Guano granules as compared to nothing at all with traditional phosphorus fertilisers. With this huge increase in biological activity nutrients are not only made available to the plant in a BALANCED form from SMS Guano granules but also from the ‘locked-up’ nutrients in the soil giving a multiple effect.

Additionally, because of this increased activity in the rhizosphere organic carbon levels are increased over time creating the desired objective of healthy living soils.

Let Us Help You Understand Your Soil

Here at Soil Management Systems, we specialise in helping clients understand their soils, working through a process of less reliance on chemicals; instead, building living soils that provide multiple dividends to their farming business.

You are welcome to contact us for more information. You can also read more about Microbiology Labs here.

Our vision is to work closely with farming clients to help them understand their soils and provide service and products that enhance the life, balance and productivity of their soils. I invite you to have a look at our products and services.

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