1.1 Nutrient efficiency - the natural phenomena applied in HIBRIX^(TM) magic

Traditional plant nutrition has, to date, approached remedial programs through a chronological path of observation, tissue and/or soil analysis, diagnosis, followed by remedy.

This monograph expounds a totally different philosophy, of providing the plant with the complete and balanced inputs to its needs (or as near as can be afforded economically), from the start.

HIBRIX™ tonics improve the transfer of nutrients to crops. The improved efficiency means that higher crop yields and quality is possible - within the same water resource restriction (better rainfall efficiency) - with lower nutrient input costs; and less wastage of nutrients to runoff and leaching to groundwater.

A plant grown optimally (see OPTIMAL PLANT NUTRITION, attached) has sturdy cell walls, and high soluble solids content [Brix], is high in essential enzymes, flavenoids, phytosterols, anthocyanins, vitamins, antioxidants, flavour compounds and key trace and other elements such as Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Manganese, Cobalt, etc.

Apart from best flavour and health benefits as a foodstuff; inter alia the sturdy cell walls and high soluble solids contents provide the plant with the capacity to better withstand the stresses of bacterial and fungal diseases, attack by sucking insects, frost heat and drought, and wind. And for perishable produce, an extended shelf life after harvest.

Yes, by any measure, nutrient efficiency is important.

1. Nutrients not taken up are a wasted resource : costs are increased to no effect; while

2. Crop yield is diminished. Furthermore,

3. Nutrients not taken up are furthermore eco-destructive as they are prone to :

a. Leaching into the water table, and

b. Run-off.

Nitrate contamination of ground water can be deadly : as little as 100 ppm, can kill infants (and stock : sheep, cattle, horses as well as chickens & piglets).

The eco-destructive consequences of poor nutrient efficiency are particularly severe on an even greater, macro-scale, including eutrophication of uncountable river, lake and lagoon systems - and even of the open seas, such as :

1. The whole Baltic coastal as well as open sea [which led to the collapse of the Baltic sea cod industry],

2. A lethal swath of some 18,000 square kilometers of barren waters ("the dead zone")

3. Many other open seas such as the German Bight, the Kattegat/Skagerrak, the Dutch Wadden Sea (driven by Rhine and Meuse river systems), the Bristol Channel, and the Irish sea.

Eutrophication by inefficient nutrient utilization has also caused the collapse of many productive riverine systems, major National natural havens, beauty spots and tourist attractions, such as the 300 square kilometre Lake Daikin in China.

Inefficient nutrient utilization originates inter alia from an imbalance of macro and minor nutrients, and trace elements. Plant growth is limited by whichever nutrient or trace element is limiting [von Liebig's Law]; and the quantities of all the others in excess of those utilized in balance, are wasted - to be accumulated in the soil, washed out by run-off, or leached to ground water.

Plant growth could also be limited by water availability, in which case portions of ALL the macro and minor nutrients, and trace elements, are wasted. Furthermore the higher concentrations of soluble nutrient salts which occur with limited water, might also scorch plant hair roots and further impede nutrient uptake and future crop recovery.

Nutrient efficiency relates not only to the raw elemental feedstocks for the plant.

Elemental feedstocks for the microbes and other species which build and maintain the soil, and more complex food [phytoproteins, plant vitamins, hormones and a variety of other plant-derived organics such as alginates] - for energy and critical cellular processes both within the plants and the soil life, are also important.

Provide these all, and in balanced proportions, and the orchestra of life can produce he highest level of nutrient efficiency : magnificent symphonies of crop yield and quality - with a minimum of inputs, and waste.

Some fundamental requirements though, must be met. There must be bacterial life, to maintain vital soil building and maintenance processes. And funghi to maintain crop health. And earthworms to plough and aerate the soil - naturally, without displacing soil horizons, causing unnatural and deleterious profiles or problematic blending processes.

Drought and heat can put bacteria into hibernation - with a time lag [induction period] in arid farming of maybe two months after rain has fallen, before they enter their logarithmic growth phase.

A classification of soils according to their microbial characteristics is provided in OPTIMAL SOIL.

In more intensive systems, irresponsible herbicides can totally destroy production - see PERSISTENT HERBICIDES IN COMPOST: KILLERS ON THE LOOSE, attached.

Persistent use of persistent fungicides [such as those containing copper] can eradicate useful funghi.

Eradicate beneficial bacteria and funghi, and you probably eradicate earthworms(*). Probably time to think about going over to hydroponics, mate.

(*) For which a desirable prerequisite is in excess of 2% carbon in the soil.

An overview of various approaches to soil management and improvement, and proper plant nutrition in general, is given on A DISCUSSION OF PLANT NUTRITION.

Bottom line : Moist soil. Humus-rich soil [mulch](**). Innoculate with appropriate microbes. Appropriately fed.

(**)Click COMPOST SECRETS to read more on the preparation of appropriate composts, which may not only be used directly for mulching, but also for the innoculation of microbe-rich brews for innoculation of lifeless soils or soils colonized by inappropriate soil life such as vascular-choking funghi or root-eating nematodes.

This is the key to successful HIBRIX^TM application; where the extensive, balanced range of phytoproteins, plant hormones, vitamins and other organics in HIBRIX^TM aim also to promote soil life, in particular zymogenic micro-organisms such as lactic acid bacteria and yeasts.

These microbes MUST be able to access access raw organic matter containing high nitrogen - and have a moist environment to thrive.

If very rich [eg 4% carbon], such soils [Zymogenic Soils] develop an aromatic fermented ["rain-forest floor mulch"] smell.

The populations of fermentable fungi such as Aspergillus and Rhizopus are increased. The percentage of Fusarium in all fungi is low (less than 5%) in this soil. The water-stable soil aggregate is high, and the soil becomes soft.

Thus the solubility of inorganic nutrients; apart from being increasingly released as rock is microbially transformed to soil, their direct availability is enhanced

Furthermore the presence of amino acid, sugars, vitamins and other bioactive substances increase in this soil, thereby promoting plant growth. See :

SOIL [and other Beneficial Microbe] TEA SECRETS tells how to multiply your stock of beneficial soil microbes to treat larger soil areas than which you can prepare compost for(***).

(***)The Kevin Heitman story notes that he has treated his entire 20,000 acre [7200 Hectare] wheat property with his selected home brewed soil tea.

Frank Pownall : Sales & Marketing
FAX : +61 8 6380 1499 TEL : +61 418 364 880 EMAIL : frank@plantsfood.com

David Martin Menne : Technical Support
FAX : +61 8 9389 5647 TEL : +61 500 54 65 32 EMAIL : david@plantsfood.com