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Plant Health

Optimising plant growth and productivity at every stage

Maximising plant health requires a thorough understanding of plant physiology and its interaction with soil conditions.

Plant Health

Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms

Induced Systemic Resistance by Microbes

Biological Control of Phytopathogens

Microbial Enhancement of Nutrient Uptake

Rhizosphere Microbiome Dynamics

Plant Microbiome Interaction

Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms

Figure X. Network of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) interactions supporting plants under abiotic stress, adapted from Vocciante et al. (2022), Applied Sciences, 12(3), 1231. CC BY 4.0. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031231
Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms (PGPM) enhance plant productivity through nutrient mobilization, phytohormone production, and stress mitigation. Key genera include Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, and AMF. PGPM support plant health via nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and induced resistance. Their integration into agroecosystems fosters sustainable, resilient, and low-input crop production.

Induced Systemic Resistance by Microbes

Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) is a microbe-triggered defense mechanism in plants, mediated by jasmonic acid and ethylene pathways. Initiated by beneficial microbes like Pseudomonas and Trichoderma, ISR primes plant immunity, enhancing resistance to pathogens and abiotic stress. ISR offers a sustainable strategy to bolster crop resilience and reduce chemical inputs.

Biological Control of Phytopathogens

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Figure X. Schematic representation of the multiple biological protective mechanisms of Bacillus spp., adapted from Zhang et al. (2023), Microbial Biotechnology, 16(12), 2250–2263, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Phytopathogens threaten global crop productivity, while chemical controls raise environmental and resistance concerns. Biological control offers a sustainable alternative by employing beneficial microbes such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Trichoderma to suppress pathogens through antibiosis, competition, mycoparasitism, and induced resistance. Integrated use of biocontrol agents supports sd resilient, disease-suppressive agroecosystems.

Microbial Enhancement of Nutrient Uptake

Figure X. Biological roles and mechanisms of Bacillus velezensis within plant microbiomes, adapted from Wang et al. (2021), Frontiers in Agricultural Science and Engineering, 8(1), 1–12. CC BY 4.0. https://doi.org/10.15302/J-FASE-2020374
Soil microorganisms enhance plant nutrient acquisition by mobilizing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients through biologically regulated processes. Symbiotic microbes like AMF and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, along with free-living PGPR, improve nutrient solubility and root absorption. Microbial biofertilizers offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic inputs, promoting efficient, resilient, and environmentally sound nutrient cycling.

Rhizosphere Microbiome Dynamics

Figure X. Role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in improving drought tolerance and nutrient efficiency in maize, adapted from Kumar et al. (2023), Frontiers in Microbiology, 14:1163832, CC BY 4.0. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1163832
The rhizosphere is a biologically active soil zone shaped by root exudates and plant-microbe interactions. Microbial communities here support plant growth via nutrient solubilization, hormone production, and pathogen suppression. Through mechanisms like symbiosis, phytohormone synthesis, and induced resistance, managing the rhizosphere microbiome offers a sustainable pathway to enhance crop resilience and productivity.

Plant Microbiome Interaction

The plant microbiome encompasses diverse microbial communities associated with different plant compartments including the rhizosphere, phyllosphere and endosphere. These microbes play crucial roles in nutrient acquisition, growth regulation, disease resistance, and stress tolerance. By understanding plant microbiome dynamics, we can harness microbial functions to support sustainable agriculture, boost productivity, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

Data Driven Biology

Samples from your fields are analysed for nutrient levels, pH, organic matter, and microbial activity to identify specific needs for optimal crop protection.

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How to take a Soil Microbiome Test

What’s Involved

The process begins with accurate sample collection, followed by analysis in a certified laboratory. Key factors evaluated include macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), micronutrients (iron, zinc), soil texture, and moisture levels.

Results

You’ll receive a report detailing nutrient levels, pH balance, organic matter content, and microbial activity, typically within 10 to 14 days.

Report / Advice

The report includes tailored recommendations for improving soil health, including product applications and crop rotation strategies. Our advisory services can be customised for ongoing support or case-by-case guidance to meet your farming goals.

Can I mix these biological products with chemicals?
Do I need to store my biological products in a Coolroom?
Can I mix my biological products with town water?
How do I increase the mobility of calcium in my cropping system?
What is a metagenomic soil test?
Do biologicals work?
How can GSB help me?
Can biological products replace fertilizer and chemicals?
Are biological products safe for humans and animals and the environment?
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Understanding you soil’s health is the first step to unlocking its potential.

Our soil testing service provides a detailed analysis that reveals the key factors influencing your soil productivity.

Order A Soil Microbiome Test