EXTRASOLReg. No. B4918 • Act No. 36 of 1947

Member of

GROUP

Stimuplant products are distributed by AgChem.

BACTERIAL INOCULANT FOR BIO-FERTILIZATIONThe development of biological products based on beneficial micro-organisms can extend the range of options for maintaining the health and yield of crops.

Bacteria are the most abundant micro-organism in the soil. The rhizosphere, which comprises the region close to the surface of roots, and the root surface itself, the rhizoplane, are colonized more intensively by micro-organisms than the other regions of the soil. Many micro-organisms from the rhizosphere can influence plant growth and plant health positively,

and are therefore often referred to as “plant growth promoting rhizobacteria”. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria

(PGPR) can affect plant growth by different direct and indirect mechanisms.

Factors that affect the number of bacteria in the soil:• The climate, hot or cold

conditions may affect the multiplication of the bacteria.

• Type of soil: bacteria numbers are higher in soils with a higher clay percentage and organic matter than in soils which consist mainly of sand.

• The moisture content: Soils which hold moisture better would be able to support the bacteria numbers for longer.

• Oxygen supply in soil: Bacteria is living organisms, so they need oxygen to survive

• Tillage: Bacteria tends to grow better in soils which is not disturbed much.

• Fertilization: Bacteria tend to prefer organic rather than inorganic-based fertilizers.

Benefits of using PGPR’s can be active simultaneously or sequentially at different stages of plant growth and they

include:• Increase mineral nutrient solubilisation and nitrogen fixation, making

nutrients available for the plant• Suppression of soilborne pathogens, by colonisation of the root zone and

competition for nutrients and space• Improving plant stress tolerance to drought, by increasing the root size

it may lead to better absorption of nutrients and moisture thus increasing the stress tolerance.

Member of

GROUP

Stimuplant products are distributed by AgChem.

EXTRASOL is a product produced by Stimuplant and distributed by AgChem. EXTRASOL contains two Bacillus subtilis strains with a minimum 1 X 108 viable cells/ml.

Bacillus subtilis is a spore-forming bacterium which, when applied to seeds or the soil, colonizes the developing root system of the plants. The bacterium competes with and thereby suppresses plant disease fungal organisms. The bacteria continue to live on the root system and provide protection during the growing season.

COMPETITION & INDUCED RESISTANCE

HOW IT WORKS: B. subtilis bacteria out-compete other microorganisms by either killing them or reducing their growth tempo. When applied directly to seeds or the soil, the bacteria colonize the developing root system, competing with disease organisms that attack root systems. B. subtilis inhibits plant pathogen spore germination, disrupts germ tube growth, and interferes with the attachment of the pathogen to the plant. It is also reported to induce systemic acquired resistance (SAR) against bacterial and fungal pathogens.

Bacillus subtilis works on certain modes of action:

• Colonies of B. subtilis take up space on the roots, leaving less area or source for occupation by disease pathogens.

• Feeds off plant exudates, which also serve as a food source for disease pathogens. Because it consumes exudates it deprives disease pathogens of a major food source, thereby inhibiting their ability to thrive and reproduce.

• Produces plant growth stimulating substances.

Figure 1: The effect B. subtilis has on inhibiting the growth of Fusarium oxysporium. Petri dish on right: The control F. oxysporium. Petri dish on left: EXTRASOL (B.subtilis) placed on four areas, and F. oxysporium placed in the centre. Notice the inhibiting effect EXTRASOL has on the growth of the F. oxysporium vs the control.

EXTRASOL, a Bacillus subtilis, is a rhizosphere bacterium which occurs naturally in soil and the rhizosphere of plants, thus having the ability to colonize the soil and the rhizosphere. B. subtilis also produces endospores , which are extremely tolerant to heat and desiccation, thus ensuring the survival of the bacteria in the soil, on the seed and leaves. It is also recognized as a soil conditioner.

Member of

GROUP

Stimuplant products are distributed by AgChem.

GROWTH PROMOTIONUnder the term growth promotion on bio-stimulant the following must be taken into consideration: EXTRASOL contains micro-organisms that are applied to plants, seed, soil or other growing media that may enhance the plant’s ability to assimilate applied nutrients, or provide benefits to plant development. EXTRASOL is not a plant nutrient or fertilizer and therefore works on a different mode of action.

HOW IT WORKS: Bacillus subtilis promotes growth and development through different methods to increase yield and crop quality, these include:

• Improving the efficiency of the plant’s metabolism to induce yield increases and enhanced crop quality.

• Increasing plant tolerance to and recovery from abiotic stresses• Facilitating nutrient assimilation, translocation and use of the nutrients• Enhancing quality attributes of produce, including sugar content, colour, fruit seeding, etc.• Rendering water use more efficient through a better root system• Enhancing certain physicochemical properties of the soil and fostering the development of

complementary soil micro-organisms

Trials done with EXTRASOL on Maize and Soybeans showed that treating seed with EXTRASOL and applying it as a foliar spray increased yield.

Maize seed treated at a rate of 100ml/100kg increased yield with 28,4% vs untreated control. Where 100kg/Ha Urea was added to the trial, the treatment which included the EXTRASOL increased the yield with 29,2% vs the treatment which only included the Urea.

Figure 2: Soybean roots showing nodules formed with a treatment of Stimuplant Liquinod Max (Liquid Soybean

Rhizobium, Reg. Nr. L9012 Act 36 of 1947), EXTRASOL (Bacillus subtilis) and Pseudomonas bacteria (powder).

Figure: Maize yield treated with EXTRASOL

Soybean seed treated with EXTRASOL including Rhizobium increased yield by 36,3%. Also the number of effective nodules increased by 32,6% vs seed treated with Rhizobium alone.

Member of

GROUP

Stimuplant products are distributed by AgChem.

TRICHODERMA• It’s a fungus• It produces chlamydospores (better survival

under adverse environmental conditions) and conidiospores (more sensitive to environmental conditions) to survive

• Can form antibiotics: against other fungi, bacteria and nematodes - all depending on the isolate (the specific culture a researcher isolated from the environment) and environmental conditions

• May produce enzymes which can be used for biological control: against other fungi, bacteria and nematodes - again depending on the isolate and environmental conditions

• Can produce plant growth hormones - depending on the isolate and environmental conditions

• Distributed in liquid and powder formulations - mostly chlamydospores found in liquid formulations, while conidiospores are mostly used in the powder formulations

EXTRASOL• Bacillus subtilis is a bacterium• Contains two Bacillus subtilis

isolates, they differ from each other by their mode of action

• It is Gram-positive and form spores which can survive high and low temperatures and desiccation

• Produces antibiotics against other bacteria and fungi

• May produce enzymes which can be used for biological control: against other fungi , bacteria and nematodes - again depending on the isolate and environmental conditions

• Produces plant growth hormones - tested and proven, both cytokinin and auxins.

TRICHODERMA VS EXTRASOL

Stimuplant CCReg. No. 1989/004756/23P.O.Box 2013, Zwavelpoort, 0036, Gauteng, RSA. Tel: (012) 802 0940stimuplant@gmail.comwww.stimuplant.co.za

There is always a question regarding the use of Trichoderma vs Bacillus subtilis. Each product has its own use and the table below show some of the differences. It is recommended not to use both product in-combination in a slurry (cocktail) as these products are antogonistic towards each other. The best option would be to use the one and then 2 weeks later the other one.