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Click on the video below to learn more about how active ingredients help product heathy, happy plants:
Click on the video below to learn more about how active ingredients help product heathy, happy plants:
Active Ingredients in Growing Media to Suppress Insects from Below
Use of biological additives, also called ‘active ingredients’, for the suppression of pathogens and insects provides growers with an option in their integrated pest management toolbox. Some are applied above soil line to reduce plant diseases or reduce insect pests. Others can be introduced to the root zone or blended into growing media to enhance plant growth and/or to reduce the incidence of plant root diseases. Questions are often asked: “How effective are active ingredients?” “Can active ingredients replace chemical treatments?” “Can they be used in combination with chemical treatments?” and “Are they cost effective to provide a return on investment?”. Because there are many types and uses, let’s focus on the use of active ingredients for the plant root zone.
Why Convert to Active Ingredients?
A main advantage of using active ingredients is that they are safer to use than chemical pesticides and they have little to no toxicity to plants, humans or animals. Most have been discovered in mineral soil, are naturally occurring and not genetically modified. Because they are part of the normal checks and balances of soil biology, there is less potential for pathogen resistance.
Most active ingredients that suppress pathogens or insects are preventative, not curative; therefore, they minimize the onset of plant diseases before they have a chance to affect crops. Pathogenic fungi and other natural occurring fungi found in soil and growing media are often a food source for insects, particularly fungus gnats. The benefit of reducing root pathogens also has a secondary benefit of reducing fungus gnats, which are often vectors for plant pathogens. Most beneficial active ingredients remain in the root zone of the plant for an extended period, while some can remain with the plant for life. If you are growing certified organic crops, a major advantage is that most active ingredients are certified or listed for organic crop production. This is a great option to where chemicals cannot be used.
Most active ingredients that suppress pathogens or insects are preventative, not curative; therefore, they minimize the onset of plant diseases before they have a chance to affect crops. Pathogenic fungi and other natural occurring fungi found in soil and growing media are often a food source for insects, particularly fungus gnats. The benefit of reducing root pathogens also has a secondary benefit of reducing fungus gnats, which are often vectors for plant pathogens. Most beneficial active ingredients remain in the root zone of the plant for an extended period, while some can remain with the plant for life. If you are growing certified organic crops, a major advantage is that most active ingredients are certified or listed for organic crop production. This is a great option to where chemicals cannot be used.
Living Organisms – Handle with Care
Active ingredients are living organisms and may require special storage and use conditions. Almost all active ingredients have a shelf-life for their optimal use, so users need to respect the expiration date. Since fungal organisms are sensitive to warmer temperatures and may require cool storage temperatures. Fungal organisms may also desiccate easily, therefore reducing their effectiveness.
Bacteria are more robust and forgiving when handling, storing and applying due to the thick cell walls of their spores. When incorporated into growing media, active ingredients work best when growing medium temperatures are above 10°C (50°F). Unlike chemical fungicides that are wide spectrum, biological controls generally interact with specific pathogens, therefore their range of pathogen suppression can be narrower that their chemical counterparts. If used in combination with chemical controls or other biological additives, be sure to check the compatibility of the microorganism with the chemistry and other bioadditives used. Most fertilizers and pesticides are compatible and safe to use with active ingredients, except for the obvious, such as bactericides, some fungicides and sanitizers. Some chemicals and other active ingredients may reduce populations, while others may eliminate the beneficial microbes.
Bacteria are more robust and forgiving when handling, storing and applying due to the thick cell walls of their spores. When incorporated into growing media, active ingredients work best when growing medium temperatures are above 10°C (50°F). Unlike chemical fungicides that are wide spectrum, biological controls generally interact with specific pathogens, therefore their range of pathogen suppression can be narrower that their chemical counterparts. If used in combination with chemical controls or other biological additives, be sure to check the compatibility of the microorganism with the chemistry and other bioadditives used. Most fertilizers and pesticides are compatible and safe to use with active ingredients, except for the obvious, such as bactericides, some fungicides and sanitizers. Some chemicals and other active ingredients may reduce populations, while others may eliminate the beneficial microbes.
This is a microscopic picture of bacteria (Bacillus pumilus PTB180) growing along the hyphal structures of endomycorrhizal fungi (Glomus intraradices PTB297). The bacteria absorb carbon from the mycorrhizae hyphal network and multiply to produce a biofilm composed of lipopeptides and/or hormones. These beneficial active ingredients work together to form a network with plant roots to suppress certain root pathogens and supply roots with water and nutrients to enhance plant growth. Source: Premier Tech
Biocontrol and Biostimulant: What Makes Them Difference?
Scientists have worked and studied beneficial microbes for use in plant culture, whether for field applications or for greenhouse, controlled environments. Beneficial microbes have been isolated, cultured and produced in laboratories to be sure that strains remain true and continue to provide the desired benefits. If we review the various microbes commercially available, we can place them into two general categories by the benefits they provide: biocontrol or biostimulant. Biocontrols are active ingredients that reduce the incidence of plant diseases and/or insects. They may directly attack the pathogen or insect, or indirectly control by creating a barrier, produce a metabolite or block a food source. Biostimulants stimulate plant growth or assist plants in acquiring nutrients and/or water to improve the overall growth of plants.
Value-Added Growing Media That Suppress Root Diseases and Certain Insects
More than 8 years ago, Premier Tech released PRO-MIX® growing media products with BIOFUNGICIDETM and MYCORRHIZAETM active ingredients. These products contain two unique, compatible active ingredients. BIOFUNGICIDETM, which is a bacterium, Bacillus pumilusPTB180, suppresses certain fungal root pathogens, including Alternaria, Fusarium, Pythium and Rhizoctonia. MYCORRHIZAETM is a natural isolate of mycorrhizal fungi, Glomus intraradicesPTB297, that is known to be a strong colonizer that benefits overall growth of plants and is compatible with a wide array of plants species.
Pansy, three plugs per 4” pot 8 weeks after transplanting. Those with Bacillus pumilus and mycorrhizal fungi on the right are larger and healthier than the untreated on the left. Source: Premier Tech
Interestingly, early research work in the 1990s suggested that some types of Bacillus bacteria could suppress certain soil insects. Pioneering laboratory work from Kuhne & Heller1mentioned that fungus gnats do not lay their eggs randomly on moist surface of growing media. They preferably lay their eggs on hyphae of certain phytopathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium species and Phoma betae) on which their larvae feed, rather than on other fungi or bacteria (B. pumilus). Their research suggested that there could be an indirect effect of lowering insect populations by reducing the fungal food sources.
Further work at Premier Tech, and in conjunction with Laval University, demonstrated that Bacillus pumilus PTB180 bacterium has an indirect suppressive effect on certain insect populations, particularly fungus gnats and thrips. Further, research found that PRO-MIX®growing media containing Bacillus pumilus PTB180 suppress both fungus gnats and thrips, to an average level of 30% and 22% respectively during the crop cycle. These findings were submitted to the EPA and PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICDETM+MYCORRHIZAETM was labelled for indirect suppression of fungus gnats and thrips in 2019.
Premier Tech is conducting additional research trials with active ingredients to investigate the potential to suppress other pathogens and insect pests. The major advantage of having active ingredients in growing media prior to planting is that these microbes are present in the root zone before root diseases have a chance to get established. Also, the best value and return on investment is to have the active ingredient added to the growing medium for you, since the cost of the product is often less from the manufacturer, and you do not have added labor costs to apply it.
Reference: Kuhne Heller. 2010. “Sciarid fly Larvae in Growing Media …” Proceedings of the International Peat Symposium Peat in Horticulture – Life in Growing Media – Amsterdam, 11 October 2010 pp. 95-102
Further work at Premier Tech, and in conjunction with Laval University, demonstrated that Bacillus pumilus PTB180 bacterium has an indirect suppressive effect on certain insect populations, particularly fungus gnats and thrips. Further, research found that PRO-MIX®growing media containing Bacillus pumilus PTB180 suppress both fungus gnats and thrips, to an average level of 30% and 22% respectively during the crop cycle. These findings were submitted to the EPA and PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICDETM+MYCORRHIZAETM was labelled for indirect suppression of fungus gnats and thrips in 2019.
Premier Tech is conducting additional research trials with active ingredients to investigate the potential to suppress other pathogens and insect pests. The major advantage of having active ingredients in growing media prior to planting is that these microbes are present in the root zone before root diseases have a chance to get established. Also, the best value and return on investment is to have the active ingredient added to the growing medium for you, since the cost of the product is often less from the manufacturer, and you do not have added labor costs to apply it.
Reference: Kuhne Heller. 2010. “Sciarid fly Larvae in Growing Media …” Proceedings of the International Peat Symposium Peat in Horticulture – Life in Growing Media – Amsterdam, 11 October 2010 pp. 95-102
Article originally published on: https://www.greenhousegrower.com/sponsor/premier-horticulture/active-ingredients-in-growing-media-to-suppress-insects-from-below/?LVP=94038&utm_source=omail&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=ggleafenews11132020
MARCH 2021
What Impact Can Your Water Source Have on Your Fertilization Program?
Your water source may have a significant impact on your fertilization. To learn more on water alkalinity, salts, nutrients and more, read this!
PRO-MIX® Growing Media
Plug And Germination
PGX – plug and germination:
Balance and precision are essential in horticulture, even more so at the beginning of a crop. PRO-MIX PGX is formulated with vermiculite for increased buffering capacity and nutrient retention at the early stages of plant growth. This carefully developed formulation optimizes plant growth by creating a root zone environment that is well adapted for plug production and seed germination applications.
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FPX - plug and germination:
Providing an optimized growing environment is fundamental, especially when it comes to plugs and germination, as it will define future productivity levels. PRO-MIX FPX is well adapted for water-sensitive crops by providing low water retention levels and good air porosity for developing seedlings.
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MYKE® ONLINE TRAINING
Refresh your MYKE® knowledge and train your new staff members on the benefits of of using MYKE®! Use the link below to access the 5 short videos. The trainings are easy, informative, and very helpful!
All crops have specific light requirements. By knowing minimum and optimum levels of light for our crop we can manage our environment to improve crop performance. When the ambient light exposure is below the minimum requirements we need to apply supplemental lighting in order to maintain our crop production at a healthy and consistent pace.
On the other hand when our ambient light levels are optimal we can regulate light to influence other aspects of our environment such as air temperature and humidity by applying specific products to reduce heat exposure in our greenhouse.
Light management will always be a key factor in our crop performance. As our series continues we will discuss specific products to manage light and heat within your greenhouse. Let’s take a look at some crop specific light requirements and how they affect our crop performance. DLI or Daily Light Integral refers to the number photons received by a plant that provide photosynthetic activation.
Lettuce and Herbs – Minimum 12 DLI, Optimum 17 DLILettuce and herbs are crops that can be grown in both greenhouse and indoor vertical farming. Maintaining DLI below 17 for an indoor vertical farming system is recommended in order to mitigate environmental conditions which can affect calcium uptake and cause tip burn in your crop.
Lettuce and some herbs are extremely sensitive to high temperatures. Therefore, proper DLI management inside a greenhouse reduces the chances of accumulating excess heat that could promote bolting of your crop and the proliferation of both mildew and pest. Thus, because of its influence on temperature, light management is very important to maintain optimum environmental conditions to achieve the product quality required for the market.
Tomatoes (Minimum 20 DLI), Cucumbers (Minimum 15 DLI) and Peppers (Minimum 20 DLI) – Optimum 30 DLITomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are crops with higher DLI requirements than their leafy green cousins. They also enjoy a higher temperature. One major challenge when growing tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers vertically inside a greenhouse is how to achieve a uniform distribution of DLI for stable consistent fruit generation. Tall crops tend to shade each other, creating an environment where optimal DLI levels are only achieved in the upper canopy. To counteract this effect when relying heavily on ambient light diffusion creating products, such as shade paints, must be employed to scatter the light in different directions to reach every level of the canopy.
Properly designed supplemental lighting can also be employed to reach all levels of the plant canopy and maintain balanced DLI levels when ambient light is insufficient. Too much direct light can cause stress in young leaves and also can cause sunburn issues in fruit. Remember to always use the right products to maintain proper DLI levels and control how light is entering your greenhouse.
Hemp – Minimum 20 DLI, Optimum 30 DLIHemp is a crop that loves light, and can be grown under conditions similar to tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. However, when cultivating hemp, maintaining the proper photoperiod is just as important to production as optimizing DLI. Previous research demonstrated short days promote flowering in this crop, and has also concluded that environmental factors such as temperature and photoperiod, can greatly influence the reproductive cycles of Hemp.
There are three distinct phases in Hemp cultivation: propagation, vegetative and flowering. Recent research regarding light application for high yield production purposes recommend the use of long photoperiods (18 hours) for the propagation and vegetative phases and short photoperiods (12 hours) for the flowering phase when using artificial lighting.
Strawberry – Minimum 17 DLI, Optimum 20 DLIStrawberries enjoy a much lower light requirement than vine crops. Due to plant anatomy diffuse lighting is also recommended to enhance photosynthetic activity in strawberries and avoid leaf shading within the plant. Strawberry cultivars have a strong response to both photoperiod and temperature. We can find short-day, long-day and day-neutral cultivars in strawberries.
Previous research demonstrated that the most common type of cultivar on the market, day-neutral, can also exhibit an accelerated flowering response under long-day conditions. Therefore, by the use of supplemental lighting, it is possible to promote more abundant flowering earlier in strawberries and have your crop ready for the market in less time. Lower temperatures during non-photosynthetic activation periods have been shown to improve flavor.
Microgreens – Minimum 10 DLI, Optimum 12 DLIMicrogreens are young plants with low light requirements grown in vertical farming systems using artificial lighting and harvested before ever reaching maturity. Because these crops have such a fast rate of growth it is important to monitor and maintain proper DLI levels to avoid over-stretching due to low light or burning due to excess light. Usually light-burn can be triggered when plants are too close to lamps.
An important aspect to get perfect size, texture and color microgreens is to work with good light quality. Most often the correct balance of red and blue lighting can achieve great quality in microgreens.
Click the button below to learn more about our L1000 Grow Light System.
