BioStart Microbes: BioStart (formerly Rhizoboost) & BioStart Defensor

See page 34

Catalog of Beneficials in pdf

for current prices and related new products.

 

Affordable inoculants to suppress disease, improve vigor and increase yield

Background

Bio-Cat Microbials

 

Defensor

Liquid suspension of Bacillus spp. Microbes that have been shown to suppress foliar and root disease. NOT currently listed with OMRI.

http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/resourceguide/mfs/01bacillus_subtilis.php

 

BioStart (formerly Rhizoboost)

Liquid suspension containing multiple proprietary strains of Bacillus and Brevibacillus. NOT currently listed with OMRI.

 

Microbe Nutrients

Bacterial food to apply with inoculants to enable them to rapidly multiply and have pronounced effect. Dry mix contains molasses, dextrose, yeast, and soluble humic acid. Acceptable in an organic program but not OMRI listed.

 

 

Defensor Experience in South Africa

 

Defensor

To balance fungus-infested plant and soil ecology,

now more concentrated, lower cost.

Description:
Defensor, is a microbial soil inoculant that enhances biodiversity and discourages growth of undesirable microorganisms in the soil ecosystem. This is a natural process that is promoted by Defensor.


The two Bacillus strains used in Defensor are naturally occurring (non GMO) and have been selected for their high degree of microbial competitiveness. They are produced in state of the art stainless steel bioreactors under precisely controlled conditions that assure potency, stability and batch to batch uniformity to yield a spore count of 1 trillion cfu/gallon.


Field trials around the world over the last 10 years demonstrate the beneficial effects of Defensor. Crops cultured in fungus-infested soils treated with Defensor consistently produce higher yields than those obtained in untreated control plots.


Packaging and Handling:
Defensor is packaged in bulk, 1, 5, 15, 30 and 55-gallon plastic containers. Ideal storage temperature: 50º -70º F (10º - 21º C). Do not store over 90º F, for more than 2 weeks. Shelf life 18 months when stored at 35º - 86º F. Store tightly closed in a cool place out of direct sun.


Application:
Defensor, diluted in tap water, is applied through any existing irrigation system, (sprinkler, drip, hydroponic) or through spray equipment. Maximize effect by applying Defensor with bacterial food. Molasses, dextrose (glucose), brewers yeast, kelp, fish and other organic fertilizers work well. Rincon-Vitova’s Microbe Nutrients is a mixture of dextrose, yeast and humic acid. Use equal volume or weight of food (up to 20 X volume of inoculant). For 1 quart of Defensor, use 2 pounds Microbe Nutrients or substitute 1 quart liquid molasses.


For foliar application, use humic acid or NuFilm 17 as a sticker. NuFilm 17 is used at rate of 125 ml (4 oz) per acre (premix in warm water); humic acid at one quart per acre. NuFilm 17 holds the bacteria on the leaf surfaces, resisting rain and overhead irrigation for a week.


Combining with other inoculants or with fungicides is not advised. Organic fertilizers improve performance. Wait two weeks after applying Defensor. Check with us about other tank mixes or co-application.


The main objective is to get the beneficial bacteria into the root zone of the plant; however, foliar applications have the additional objective of increasing the ratio of beneficial bacteria on the plant itself. The amount of water used depends on the crop, soil type and application method. Every farmer’s situation is different.


Vegetables - Strawberries – Flowers (with a growing period less than six months)

When to apply and how much per acre Defensor Microbe Nutrients
Planting Or just prior to planting depending on food web conditions 2-4 quart / acre 4-8 lb / acre
Post Emergence- Within 1 week after crop emergence 1-2 quart / acre 2-4 lb / acre
Growing Season Apply every 21 days for maximum effect until total of 8 quarts per acre have been applied during season 1 quart / acre 2 lb / acre

 

 

Trees, Vines, Permanent Crops (with a growing period more than six months)

When to apply and how much per acre Defensor Microbe Nutrients
Transplanting Per tree in planting hole or on soil over root ball area 2 ounce / application (diluted in a minimum of 1 gallon of water) 2 ounce
Early growing Season 1st application through drip or sprinkler system in 1st irrigation 2-4 quart / acre 4-8 lb / acre
Later growing season 2nd & subsequent applications. Apply every 21-30 days for maximum effect until total of 12 quarts per acre have been applied 1-2 quart / acre 2-4 lb / acre

 

 

BioStart™ (formerly Rhizoboost)

Bacterial Soil Inoculant for Restoring the Soil Food Web

 

Basic information
Salt tolerance

 

Features

FAQs

 

Modes of action

 

Biostart LT

Biostart ST

Biostart DFT

 

Packaging and Handling:

  • Biostart™ is packaged in bulk, 1, 2.5, 15, and 55-gallon plastic containers.
  • Ideal storage temperature: 50º -70º F (10º - 21º C).
  • Do not store over 90º F, for more than 2 weeks.
  • Shelf life 18 months when stored at 35º - 86º F.
  • Store tightly closed in a cool place out of direct sun.

Application:

  • Biostart™ (formerly Rhizoboost), diluted in tap water, is applied through any existing irrigation system, (sprinkler, drip, hydroponic) or through spray equipment.
  • Maximize effect by applying Biostart™ with bacterial food. Molasses, dextrose (glucose), brewers yeast, kelp, fish and other organic fertilizers work well. Rincon-Vitova’s Microbe Nutrients is a mixture of dextrose, yeast and humic acid. Use equal volume or weight of food (up to 20 X volume of
    inoculant).
  • For 1 quart of Biostart™, use 2 pounds Microbe Nutrients or substitute 1 quart liquid molasses.
  • For foliar application use humic acid or NuFilm 17 as a sticker. NuFilm 17 is used at rate of 125 ml (4 oz) per acre (premix in warm water); humic acid at one quart per acre. NuFilm 17 holds the bacteria on the leaf surfaces, resisting rain and overhead irrigation for a week. Combining with other inoculants or with fungicides is not advised. Organic fertilizers improve performance. Wait two weeks after applying Biostart™. Check with us about other tank mixes or co-application. The objective is to get the beneficial bacteria into the root zone of the plant. The amount of water used depends on the crop, soil type and application method.
  • Every farmer’s situation is different.

  • Vegetables - Strawberries – Flowers (with a growing period less than six months)
When to apply and how much per acre Defensor Microbe Nutrients
Planting Or just prior to planting depending on food web conditions 2-4 quart / acre 4-8 lb / acre
Post Emergence- Within 1 week after crop emergence 1-2 quart / acre 2-4 lb / acre
Growing Season Apply every 21 days for maximum effect until total of 8 quarts per acre have been applied during season 1 quart / acre 2 lb / acre

 

Trees, Vines, Permanent Crops (with a growing period more than six months)

When to apply and how much per acre Defensor Microbe Nutrients
Transplanting Per tree in planting hole or on soil over root ball area 2 ounce / application (diluted in a minimum of 1 gallon of water) 2 ounce
Early growing Season 1st application through drip or sprinkler system in 1st irrigation 2-4 quart / acre 4-8 lb / acre
Later growing season 2nd & subsequent applications. Apply every 21-30 days for maximum effect until total of 12 quarts per acre have been applied 1-2 quart / acre 2-4 lb / acre

 

 

Microbe Nutrients

Food for Bacteria

 

Description:

Microbe Nutrients, is a non-toxic, dry concentrate that can be applied with bacteria to promote their growth. Used with Biostart™ or Defensor, Microbe Nutrients enhances the action of these inoculants. This is a complete soluble food that stimulates germination of bacterial spores into growing cells, multiplying numbers of beneficial bacteria.

 

Composition:

Dextrose, yeast, soluble humic acid.

 

Benefits:

  • Easy to handle dry form
  • Enhances action of Biostart™ and Defensor
  • Soluble organic fertilizer
  • Natural materials, non GMO, acceptable in organic programs
  • Apply through irrigation, injection, sprinkler, spray
  • By feeding bacteria, helps increase diversity of soil food web, availability of plant nutrients, and improvement in soil structure

Compatibility:

Microbe Nutrients is compatible with most organic fertilizers. Fertilizers, such as kelp or seaweed, fish, yucca, humic acid and fulvic acid are compatible and also feed beneficial bacteria. Before mixing large quantities of additional fertilizers or other materials, mix the materials in a jar to be sure contents stay in solution.

 

Packaging and Handling:

  • Packed in 2 and 8 pound bags.
  • Store in a cool dry place.
  • Tightly reseal container after opening.
  • Product is low risk and nontoxic.
  • Do not inhale or avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact, flush with water.

 

Application:

  • Mix at the rate of 2 pounds of Microbe Nutrient to 1 quart of Defensor/Biostart™ inoculant (8 pound/gallon). Can be mixed at up to 20 times this rate (i.e. 40 pound Microbe Nutrients to 1 quart Defensor/Biostart™) to extend the effectiveness of bacteria.
  • Half fill sprayer with water, turn on agitator, and sprinkle Microbe Nutrients powder into water.
  • Add Biostart™ or Defensor to water, then dilute to volume.
  • Apply by spraying onto foliage or the soil, or inject into irrigation system.
  • After mixing with Microbe Nutrients, Defensor/Biostart™ bacteria start growing. Apply within 1 day of mixing.

 

 

BioStart Experience in South Africa

 

Graham Limerick,  Managing Director Microbial Solutions, in South Africa, the country's oldest and most well-known biological control company. He has ten years of field experience with BioStart products, and has sponsored many university trials with BioStart http://www.microbial.co.za/ Microbial Solution's name for BioStart Defensor is D'Press. These microbial inoculants have played a pivotal role in developing integrated, sustainable agricultural programs. He has made great strides with his clients in field-testing a range of microbial activators, including humic and fulvic acid products.

 

In a 1996 greenhouse trial, a single treatment of BioStart at planting of cabbage and tomato seedlings was not effective. However an additional treatment at seed emergence was effective with cabbage. Adding weekly treatments after seed emergence gave good results for both cabbage and tomatoes, while subsequent biweekly treatments after the planting and seed emergence treatments gave the best overall results.

 

The Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops in South Africa compared two mixtures of BioStart microbial species on banana tissue culture plantlets after transplanting into sterile potting medium. Both treatments were larger than controls at 9, 12 and 17 weeks after treatment with one mixture associated with signifcantly larger plants than the other mixture. It was concluded that weekly or more frequent applications to young plants has the greatest growth promotion effect.

 

Among other trials of BioStart by Microbial Solutions, drip irrigation was used to carry BioStart throughout gravel-bed hydroponic lettuce and cabbage with a 30% increase in yield. Cauliflower yields increased 49%. With the addition of just B. licheniformis, tomato fruit yield increased 96%. Applied to turf, root systems grew deeper and recovered from nematode damage. They also report good success controlling Aphodius beetles and mole crickets in turf, woolly apple aphid in orchards, and snout beetle in vineyards. Some successes on phyloxera were reported in vineyards.

 

 

Product information in pdf files:

 

Rincon-Vitova Bulletins

Microbe Nutrients

Bio-Cat Microbials also available for:

 

Aquaculture

Animal Nutrition

Waste Treatment

Septic and Drain Care

 

Biological technology to replace toxic materials and materials produced using fossil fuels.

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