‘the life in your soil’
horticulture
•
landscape
•
water
Symbio MycoForce – Puts life in your soil
2
All plants rely on relationships with soil microbes that
promote healthy growth. Symbiotic plant microbe
support systems have evolved over millions of years.
Soil biology is important for healthy plants
Plants leak over 50% of the energy they produce, through
their roots, as carbohydrates and proteins to feed the
microbes that make up the soil food web. The key
components of the soil food web are bacteria, fungi,
protozoa and nematodes.
The functions of a healthy food web are:
◆ Retention
of nutrients reducing leaching and
volatisation.
◆ Making
nutrients available in the correct form
at the right time for optimum growth.
◆ Suppression
of plant pathogens.
◆ Protection
of potential infection sites with
beneficial organisms.
◆ Building
soil structure so oxygen, water and
nutrients can permeate the soil.
◆ Production
of plant growth promoting
hormones.
◆ Decomposition
excess nutrient.
of toxic compounds and
Modern practices override many of
these natural processes with synthetic
chemicals and inorganic fertilisers
with a high salt index which start a
cycle of disease - fertiliser - water disease.
The Symbio MycoForce range is
designed to reintroduce the bacteria,
soil fungi, mycorrhizal fungi, protozoa
and nematodes that make up the soil
food web and provide the nutrients With MycoForce
required to support both microbes Transplanter
and plants.
The benefits of an active soil food web are:
grow faster producing more roots, top
growth, flowers or fruit.
Control - standard
nursery practice
sheath around the outside of the root
(ecto mycorrhizae) from where they
extend masses of thread like fungal
hyphae out into the surrounding soil.
The growth of the fungal hyphae
effectively increases the plant’s root
area, often by several thousand
times. The fungi passes water and
essential nutrients to the plant and in
return obtains plant sugars for its own
growth. This evolved symbiotic
relationship is a highly successful one
and allows plants and fungi to live in
difficult environments.
Plants with mycorrhizae can double growth rates compared
to plants relying on artificial fertilisers alone.
◆ Plants
◆ Plants
stay healthy and suffer less disease.
◆ Reduced
costs because less fertiliser,
chemicals power and water are needed.
◆ Reduced
transplant losses and better survival
rates in the nursery and planting site.
All Symbio products are compatible with conventional plant
management techniques. For best results reduce inorganic
fertiliser and water inputs to allow natural growth
mechanisms to promote healthy plants.
Mycorrhizae
Mycorrhizae are the most important of all the
symbiotic relationships between plants and soil
microbes.
Because plants and fungi have evolved
together over billions of years, over 90% of the
world’s plants rely on their association with
mycorrhizal fungi to maximise healthy growth.
Mycorrhizae can either form inside the cells of
the plant root (endo mycorrhizae) or form a
Symbio Innovation for Plant Health
1990 Symbio introduces Symbio Lagoon, the first bioremediation
product for irrigation lakes and ponds.
1991 Introduces Symbio Green Circle the first biotech product
for nutrient retention and recycling for sports turf.
1996-7 Sponsors research with University of London that shows
the positive link between mycorrhizal fungi and fine grasses.
1998 Sponsors 4 year research project with University of Surrey to
assess the potential for using soil fungi and bacteria to enhance
plant growth and reduce chemical inputs.
1999 Symbio introduces the MycoForce range of mycorrhizal
and microbial inoculants for plants trees and shrubs. Finalist
Horticulture Weeks annual best new product award.
1999 Granted Millennium Product status for Symbio MycoForce.
2001 Introduces the Symbio MycoGro Complete range of part
organic fertilisers that contain mycorrhizal fungi, soil fungi and
phosphate solubilising bacteria.
2003 Introduces the first compost tea brewers to the sports turf
and horticultural market.
2006 Introduces the MycoGro Complete 100% organic range of
fertilisers the first with Mycorrhizae soil fungi and bacteria.
2007 Introduces The DPA range of biological inoculants for use
with Deep Probe Aeration machines for fruit trees, stressed or
damaged urban trees.
The Benefits of Mycorrhizae
Reduce fertiliser
Drought Resistance
In extending the root area through the soil, mycorrhizae
forage for phosphorous, potassium and trace elements the
nutrients essential for flowering, fruiting and yield. Often
growers increase plant weight and yield with just 50% of the
usual fertiliser input. The extended root system is incredibly
important for plants survival when transplanted in poor
quality landscapes and sterile rootzones.
Mycorrhizae suck up water like a sponge and introduce it to
the plant. For the grower this means less water is required but
for the landscaper it can mean the difference between
survival or death.
Acer palmatum plant
on the left treated with
MycoForce Transplanter
and only 50% of the
fertiliser that was
applied to the plant
on the right.
Numerous scientific studies show growing
with MycoForce Mycorrhizae will:
◆ Reduce transplant
losses
◆ Reduce fertiliser and
fungicide use
◆ Reduce water protect against
drought
◆ Reduce heat and
power
◆ Increase yield
◆ Increase disease
resistance
◆ Increase speed of
growth
◆ Improve crop
uniformity
◆ Improve soil quality
MycoForce Mycorrhizal Inoculants
MycoForce Endo Mycorrhizal
Transplanter
Disease resistance
Strong plants in healthy soil are more disease resistant, but
mycorrhizae also form a physical barrier around the root to
stop plant pathogens from damaging the plant.
Eleagnus
Freerickii plants
on left treated
with MycoForce
Transplanter and
50% of usual
fertiliser, plants
on right treated
with usual
fertiliser plus
iprodione,
furalaxyl and
prochloraz.
All-purpose inoculant containing a broad spectrum of
Glomus and Gigaspora mycorrhizae plus Trichoderma spp.
fungi and Bacillus spp. bacteria. Ideal for all endo
mycorrhizal trees, bedding plants, flowers and vegetables
except brassicas.
Very easy to apply, MycoForce Transplanter can be
premixed with growing media, dusted onto transplants,
mixed with seed, put in suspension for drenching plugs and
seed beds and mixed with HydroGels for dipping bare roots
and cuttings. Pack sizes 10 x 300gms; 1kg; 5kg and 10kg tub.
MycoForce Endo Ecto
Mycorrhizal Whip Dip
With all the microbial power of Transplanter you simply add
water to form a paste and dip all bare root trees for faster
growth and increased survival. Pack sizes 10 x 300gms; 1kg;
5kg and 10kg tub.
3
MycoForce Endo Mycorrhizal
Stress Saver
For stressed and distressed mature trees, a micronised
powder that stays in suspension for use with injecting
equipment for mature fruit, ornamental and landscaped
trees. Pack sizes 300gms; 1kg and 5kg tub.
MycoForce Ecto Mycorrhizal Inoculant
A liquid containing
7 species of ecto
mycorrhizae it can
be used to inoculate
growing media, as a
root dip or a drench
for existing field and
container grown stock,
and with ground probe
aeration systems to
inject stressed mature
trees.
Use
ecto
mycorrhizae for conifers,
oak,
beech,
birch,
chestnuts, eucalyptus
and hickory. Pack size
0.5 litre; 1 litre.
Itaska Spruce plant on
left inoculated with
MycoForce Ecto
Mycorrhizal
Inoculant
Research
There are thousands of studies conducted on the benefits of
mycorrhizal inoculation of nursery and field crops, trees and
vegetables. Ask Symbio for our own research or enter the
word mycorrhizae and your plant into your web search
engine and you will probably find accredited research on
the benefits you are looking for.
the life in your soil
Creating a healthy soil food web
4
Many soils and growing media are quite sterile through
design, monoculture or overuse of water, inorganic
fertilisers and chemicals. Symbio has developed a range
of easy to use products that build up the bacteria, fungi,
protozoa, arthropods and nematodes found in healthy
soil food webs for all types of growing media from plugs
and containers to field – grown plants and brownfield
landscapes. When your plants grow in healthy soil you
benefit from healthier plants, reduced inputs, higher
yields, less disease and peace of mind.
MycoForce Fungal
and Bacterial Inoculants
MycoForce TrichoBooster
Trichoderma are some of the most common fungi found in
healthy soils. They compete against pathogens for nutrients
and space, solubilising inorganic nutrients and degrading
organic matter. Their activity in the soil increases available
plant food, enhances root density and stress resistance, and
improves seed germination rates.
MycoForce TrichoBooster is a safe liquid containing 4
common species of Trichoderma fungi. It can be sprayed
onto growing media, used as a drench or applied through
your irrigation system.
Pack size 2.5 litre; 10 litre.
MycoForce BacillusBooster
A bacterial soil and leaf inoculant containing 5 natural
Bacillus species including Bacillus subtilis found in productive
soils. Bacilli colonise potential disease sites creating a
biological barrier against disease in top growth and roots.
They also process inorganic and organic soil nutrients
making the nutrients and minerals available to the plant.
Applied at 75ml per hectare via irrigation systems or to the
leaf as a drench.
Pack size 1 litre.
MycoForce Media Mix
A granular combination of Bacillus spp. bacteria and the
essential soil fungi Geomyces, Trichoderma and
Phanerochaete sp. this highly active microbial combination
is an exceptional compost starter and can be mixed with
growing media, rootzones, organic and inorganic fertilisers
to provide the foundation of the soil food web. MycoForce
Media Mix increases growth rates and disease resistance
when added to sterile or compromised soils.
Pack size 5kg; 10kg; 20kg.
MycoForce Compost Starter
A combination of bacteria and fungi designed to enhance
rapid degradation of green waste. Just add to water and
drench the new compost pile or windrow. Applied at 50gms
per m3. Pack size 1kg, 10kg.
MycoForce Compost Teas
application or soil drench for bacterial dominant plants such
as brassicas. Ideal for use in both organic and conventional
growing systems compost tea may be applied to all soils.
Symbio 720 BioBrewer
The Symbio 720 BioBrewer is exceptionally easy to clean and
maintain and makes enough compost tea to treat from 1 to
14 hectares. Each brew takes between 18-24 hours and
should be used within 4 hours of manufacture.
The Symbio 25 BioBrewer
The 25 BioBrewer is ideal for the smaller nursery or landscape
project producing enough Compost Tea to cover up to
5,000m2.
Symbio Compost Tea
Brew packs
Compost tea is a living aerated
solution
made
from
quality
screened compost enhanced with
added microbial nutrients. The
prepared tea teems with billions of
beneficial microorganisms, the
bacteria, fungi, protozoa and even
a few beneficial nematodes that
can be applied directly to the leaf
surface of a plant as a foliar spray or
used as a soil drench to improve the
health of your soil.
The advantages of compost tea
over packaged inoculants is that
you get a complex microbial soup,
suited to your temperature and
water conditions that is far more
powerful and wide ranging than an
individual inoculant. The tea also
contains the vital higher soil
organisms that cannot be provided
in a packaged product. Symbio
supplies all the ingredients needed
to make bacterial or fungaldominant teas.
Fungal dominant teas are for
drenching the soil to create a
healthy
food
web.
Bacterial
dominant teas are for foliar
We supply both fungal and bacterial
dominant compost made to exacting
standards
that
contains
the
components of the soil food web plus
all the activating nutrients required to
develop wide range of bacteria, fungi,
protozoa and beneficial nematodes.
Symbio BioBrewer
Cleaner
It is imperative that your BioBrewer is
cleaned after use. The BioBrewer
Cleaner is specially designed to remove
residual biomass.
We can analyse your compost tea and
soils for the components of the soil food
web (see analysis on page 7) to make
sure you create the tea most suited to
your crops.
The Symbio 720 BioBrewer brew kit for your own
soil food web.
For best results use compost tea with
MycoForce Mycorrhiza, HumicBooster,
Liquid Seaweed and Vermicompost
5.2.3.
Soil and Plant Nutrition
Plants grown in living soil need less fertiliser than those grown
in chemical systems. Best results are obtained with slower
release, organic or inorganic fertilisers. All Symbio products
can be used with all fertilisers currently available, though we
recommend that application rates are reduced sometimes
by up to 50% to maximise the benefits of microbial action.
Symbio’s technical advisors will be pleased to help you
develop nutrition programmes to fit your plants and
circumstances.
Symbio
HumicBooster
A 100% water soluble
humate containing 90%
humate including fulvic
acid, soluble potassium
10% and iron 1%.
Humate, humic and fulvic
acids are essential food
for fungi and a stimulant
for plant growth and soil
structure.
HumicBooster can be
applied as a foliar feed or
soil drench via irrigation
systems or spray tank and
mixed with liquid fertilisers,
pesticides and other biostimulants. Applied at 1-5 litres per
hectare. Pack size 10kg tub 25kg sack.
Symbio Liquid
Seaweed
A highly concentrated
liquid seaweed that can
be mixed with all fertilisers
and liquid applications.
Dry matter 40%; Density
1,21%; N1,17% P2O5 0.12%
K2O 3.88%; CaO 0.14%
MgO 0.6%; SO3 0.8%
LAMINARIUM
2.14%
MANNITOL 6.12%; BETAIN
3.60%. Content in ppm
Fe 33.00; Cu 1.00; Mn 8.70
Mo 0.10; Zn 9.00. Pack size
10 litres; 200 litres.
Symbio Vermicompost 3.2.5
Symbio Vermicompost is made by combining finely
screened compost rich in organic NPK with 15%
vermicompost. Vermicompost is made by earthworms that
ingest, degrade and humify organic matter. Vermicompost
3.2.5 contains nutrients and trace elements that are slowly
released but readily
taken up by plants.
Rich in humus and
fulvic acids which
stimulate
greater
plant growth than
can be created by
mineral
nutrients
alone Vermicompost
has a high cation
exchange capacity
Vermicompost 3.2.5
providing
strong
absorbability
and
retention of water and nutrients. It is an ideal fertiliser for all
trees, and plants transplanted into compromised landscape
soils. Pack size 25kg sack and 500kg big bags.
Symbio TraceOlite
A zeolite rich in added trace elements Symbio TraceOlite
re-mineralises soil, increases CEC, reduces leaching and
improves water retention. P205 3.1%; K2O 2.9%; FeO 10%
MgO 5.4%; CaO 5.5%; MnO 1.0%; S03 2.5%; TiO 1.5%; Al2O3
13.0%; SiO2 41.5% Cu 250ppm; Mo 120ppm; Zn 190ppm.
Pack size 25kg sack.
Symbio MycoGro Complete 5.3.3
Organic Fertiliser
Calabrese Roxette the top plants drenched with MycoForce
Transplanter all other parameters the same
A starter fertiliser to put life into sterile soil. Contains Soil
Association Approved composted poultry manure with 75%
humus, plus Mycorrhizal fungi, Trichoderma Sp, Bacillus Sp.
Ideal for herbs, bedding plants, and trees. MycoGro
Complete 5.3.3 contains immediate plus slow release
nutrients plus all the trace elements plants need for strong
growth. It also puts the foundation of the soil food web into
sterile and compromised soils. Pack size 20kg sacks and
500kg big bags. We will be pleased to add any combination
of slow release fertiliser to the base 5.3.3.
Onions top left treated with
MycoForce Transplanter
Penstemon Garnet trial plants
treated with Symbio
MycoForce Transplanter and
Media Mix exhibit approx 33%
more growth
Inorganic Nutrients
We supply a complete range of slow release, soluble and
liquid formulations with seaweed and humic acid from stock
or made to your own requirements in minimum orders or
250kg or 200 litres. For full details of the Symbio fertiliser
range see our fertiliser brochure.
the life in your soil
5
Stress and Disease Management
6
Healthy plants grown in biologically active soil are less
susceptible to most of the pathogens that attack
commercially grown plants. However we can also
stimulate a plants own natural defences against disease
and stress with Alexin Plus.
Sometimes the natural mechanism of the plant is not able to
control an attack because the pathogens swamp the
phytoalexins under abnormal growing conditions. Reduced
production of phytoalexins is due to several factors
including: Plant stress; excessive use of synthetic
agrochemicals e.g. pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and
synthetic fertilisers; temperature humidity and climate.
Alexin Plus also increases the brix level, often within 5 days of
application, and increases the uptake of trace elements.
We will be pleased to provide trials data on the use of Alexin
plus on fruit trees, berries, bedding plants and tubers.
Alexin Plus
Is a new and natural solution to old problems. Alexin Plus is
a bioflavonoid/organic acid complex that stimulates the
immune system in plants promoting strong growth and
disease resistance.
Alexin Plus contains bioflavonoids, synergised with
organic acids which act as elicitors to activate
and enhance the plants production of
phytoalexins to counter the risk of damage from
pathogenic attack.
Plants defend themselves against drought stress, viral, fungal
and bacteria attack through the production of
phytoalexins. Phytoalexins are antitoxins naturally produced
by the plant. Phytoalexins are produced rapidly once the
plant is under attack.
Alexin plus works within the plant in conjunction
with mycorrhizae and beneficial soil microbes to
protect the plant from stress to produce a better
more disease resistant plant.
Plants to the left- were treated with
fertiliser and Alexin Plus.
Plants to the right-hand were only treated
with general fertiliser.
Irrigation and Water Management
Symbio Blue Water
A very easy to apply biological
treatment for blanket weed,
unicellular algae and organic
sludge in irrigation ponds and
tanks, and fish and ornamental
ponds. Symbio Blue Water is a
natural formulation of bacteria
and enzymes contained in a
water soluble sachet. One
200gm sachet treats 800m3. Simply throw the sachet into the
pond. For smaller ponds we supply 28gm sachets for up to
25m3. Pack size 6 x 28gm; 8 x 200gm; 25 x 200gm.
Symbio Hydrogels
Water retaining polymers which hold large quantities of
water in sandy soils, applied at 1gm per litre of soil. Pack size
25kg.
Symbio HydroAid Plus
A non ionic wetting agent that quickly removes the waxes
and proteins that causes hydrophobic conditions. HydroAid
Plus helps water permeate soils. HydroAid Plus may be mixed
with any liquid solution to aid dispersal or penetration or be
used by itself to cut down on water use. Applied at 10 litres
per hectare. Pack sizes 10 litres; 200 litres.
Cleaning
Symbio SuperClean
Symbio SuperSan
A powerful highly concentrated enzymatic cleaner that
removes algae from paths and glass. It will not harm plants
at the recommended application rate and can be applied
manually or by spray, or cleaning machine.
Pack size 1 litre; 5 litres
SuperSan is a unique non-toxic sanitiser that will not harm
plants in normal use. SuperSan contains a naturally derived
biocide from citrus extracts and natural enzymes to
eliminate biofilm. SuperSan is effective against a wide
range of gram positive and gram-negative bacteria,
viruses, yeasts and fungi. Used
neat. Pack sizes 5 Litres; 200
litres
Soil Food Web Analysis
7
Take the guesswork out of soil management
Healthy plants grow best in healthy soil. Most plants
release at least 50% of their food energy underground.
The key to growing healthy grass and plants is to develop
the soil food web of bacteria, fungi, protozoa,
nematodes and the many other organisms that recycle
this energy. The benefits are sustainable growth in
microbially enhanced soil with efficient nutrient uptake
and reduced disease and drought damage to the plant.
Mycorrhizal Colonization:
These fungi increase the nutrient uptake
capacity of the plant and protect it against
pathogens.
We
determine
what
percentage of your roots are colonised,
and also look for signs of disease and other
damage.
Qualitative Assessment:
The Soil Foodweb laboratory at Laverstoke Park gives
you the knowledge to develop the correct balance of
organisms for your plants to maximize the potential of this
free energy for outstanding results.
This fast evaluation does not provide actual
counts or biomass of organisms, but based
on a visual scan of populations tells you
whether your bacteria, fungi, protozoa and
nematodes are present in excellent, good,
adequate, or poor numbers.
Total Bacteria and Total Fungi
The optimal bacterial and fungal biomass in the soil varies
according to plant, climate and season; if it is not within this
range, bacterial or fungal inoculants or foods may be
required.
Active Bacteria and Active Fungi
Only the bacteria and fungi which are currently
metabolizing organic compounds are directly nourishing the
plants; if this portion is too low, inoculants or foods may be
Leaf Surface Assay:
Betula in poor landscape soils. The plant on the right is inoculated
with MycoForce Ecto Mycorrhiza
Measures the bacteria and fungi on the
leaf – an important test for disease
management.
required to stimulate the dormant bacterial or fungal
population. Different plants require different ratios of
active fungi:active bacteria. This test allows you to get
the optimum ratio for your plants.
Protozoa:
Flagellate, amoeba and ciliate protozoans are singlecelled organisms that feed upon bacteria and excrete
nitrogen in the plant available form of ammonium, so are
essential to healthy plant growth. Ciliates, feed
preferentially on anaerobic bacteria, so a high ciliate
population may indicate anaerobic conditions.
For information on
collection and
submission of all
samples please
contact Symbio or
your local
technical advisor
for details.
Nematodes:
A very large group of very small worms, these are
everywhere on earth. Of the soil-dwelling species most
graze on bacteria and fungi, recycling nitrogen in plant
available form. Some prey on other nematodes and a
few cause significant crop damage. We count the
number in a given weight of soil, and identify them to
genus and function.
Ecto Mycorrhizae around tree roots
the life in your soil
Unit 8, Coopers Place, Combe Lane, Wormley, Surrey GU8 5SZ
Tel: +44 (0)1428 685762
Fax: +44 (0)1428 685702
[email protected]
www.symbio.co.uk