ultimate biostimulant range for ornamental plants
Vitalnova Nursery
ICL’s Vitalnova Nursery range is being carefully formulated to bring together a portfolio of tried and tested high performance biostimulants to fit within an integrated crop management plan.
The Vitalnova Nursery Range consists of three products
• Vitalnova TriBoost - A growing media incorporated biostimulant which boosts plant health
• Vitalnova Prime - A blend of natural ingredients, derived from yeast cell walls, designed to fortify the plant
• Vitalnova Guardian - A foliar biostimulant which fortifies the leaf and increases it resistance against stresses
Biostimulants
There is no doubt that for the horticultural industry to become more resilient and sustainable growers need to adopt a range of biological products including plant biostimulants. Stimulating natural processes, quality biostimulant products have been scientifically proven to enhance nutrient uptake and efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress as well as crop quality. These products have an important role to play in modern horticultural production.
Healthy well-nourished plants grow and yield well and have a much high disease-resistance threshold. Unlike synthetic agrochemicals, biostimulants are not silver bullets. In the early days of biostimulants, guidance for use was sometimes rudimentary and resulting efficacy could be erratic.
Fast forward several decades and ICL is working with companies leading this field, to bring your proven products supported by in-depth technical backup.
Benefits to using biostimulants
1. Helping combat environmental stresses
Biostimulants can promote enhanced germination and root development, leading to increased vigour and greater stress resistance. An enhanced root system promotes more efficient nutrient and water uptake and translocation throughout the growing season.
2. Boosting plant health and quality
Promoting growth and improving plant metabolism can benefit overall plant growth and health. In addition, providing a catalyst at specific developmental stages can lead to improved uniformity and overall plant quality.
3. Encouraging plant growth
Biostimulants generally operate through different mechanisms compared to standard fertilizers, providing essential nutrients for plant metabolism that stimulate growth. Upregulating gene expression can have an effect on cell division and sizing, root and shoot growth, and reproductive development and timing.
Your ICL Technical Area Sales Manager or Distributor Representative can give you more information on incorporating biostimulants into your current plant management programme.
TriBoost
Vitalnova TriBoost is the new microbial inoculant which consists of enzymes three beneficial live cultures; Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium and Lactobaillusplantarum. Each microbial strain has been selected for their beneficial properties with regards to soil health.
Benefits of Microbes
Robust communities of beneficial soil microbes are essential to soil productivity, substantially reducing or eliminating viable pathogens and weed seeds, rapidly breaking down plant residues, improving soil carbon and pH, and providing plants with available nutrients throughout the growing season. A diverse, healthy soil agribiome leads to improved plant vitality and increased yields.
Vitalnova TriBoost has live microbial strains and enzymes selected for their role in healthy soils
• They break down organic molecules from substrate or organic fertilisers
• Improving soil carbon and pH and promotes a healthy soil
• Plants Thrive in a balanced soil with a robust population of beneficial microbes
Guaranteed Analysis
Total amount of microbes 3,75 x 108 UFCg
Lactobacillus plantarum
Bacillus subtillis
Enterococcus faecium
Enzymes
Rates of use
Growing media incorporation
Mix 500g per 1m3 of growing media.
Industry relevance
In peat alternatives (peat reduced & peat free) less beneficial microbes are available
Vitalnova TriBoost boosts the microbial content allowing for more availability of nutrients and quicker degradation of organic molecules
e.g. Bacillus spp. are involved in; The formation of biofilm - aids in resistance to phytopathogens via induced systemic resistance
Production of siderophores
Increases in availability of P, K and Zn
Fixation of N
Production of Phyto-hormones
See back page for more information
Trial: TriBoost applied to peat free growing media
• Plants showing clear difference between treatments
• Vitalnova TriBoost showing largest benefit overall at this stage in the trial
• Vitalnova TriBoost treated plants likely to be ready for sale 2-3 weeks ahead
• Vitalnova TriBoost showed highest root growth compared to competitor products
Did you know?
Vitalnova TriBoost is freeze dried for greater viability of the microorganisms to the plant.
TriBoost increases the amount of plants ready for sale earlier TriBoost
Prime
Vitalnova Prime is derived from yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae). Yeast cell walls are rich in amino acids and peptides which are known to act as natural elicitors within the plant, stimulating the plants natural defences against environmental stresses (otherwise known as abiotic stress).
Features and Benefits
• Blend of active ingredients designed to fortify the plant
• Leaves no synthetic chemical residues
• Integrates with pest management programmes
• Healthier plants are more able to resist stress
Directions for use
Foliar application of Vitalnova Prime at 1L per Ha every 10-15 days (1ml per litre) | 0.5L per Ha every 7 days (0.5ml per litre). For fertigation apply at 1L per Ha (1ml per litre). Product performs best if used within 24 months of the date of manufacture. Half fill the tank with water before adding the required amount of Vitalnova Prime stir the solution during mixing and during spraying operations. If mixing this product with other plant protection products, it is advisable to check the physical compatibility prior to mixing in the tank.
Guaranteed Analysis
Copper (Cu) 4.00%
Sulfur (S) 2.00%
Derived from Copper sulfate
Induced resistance and sustainability
Natural elicitors leave no synthetic residues and can be used in growing systems either alone or in combination with conventional chemicals.
What is induced resistance?
Plant-pathogen interactions initiate various chemical defence responses in the plant, similar to how our own immune systems respond to vaccines. Elicitors are compounds that activate these same natural plant defences, a state known as induced resistance.
Two of the most commonly studied forms are:
Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR): Exposure triggers gene expression associated with the plant hormone salicylic acid, protective proteins, phytoalexins and various defensive enzymes.
variety of fungal, bacterial leading to a loss in productivity
Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR): Exposure to specific bacterial strains triggers production of the defensive plant hormones jasmonic acid and ethylene.
How are natural elicitors used?
Elicitors are used preventatively. Just as vaccines take some time to produce a response in our bodies, elicitors take several days for their full effect to develop (initiation). This plateaus into a maintenance phase before the effects eventually wear off.
SAR is associated with a variety of cellular immune responses, including strengthening of cell walls.
Guardian
Vitalnova Guardian is a blend of naturally derived polyketides and foliar-applied nutrients essential for plant biofortification, formulated for immediate effect and rapid response in the face of external crop stresses. Well-nourished plants have a more effective defence system.
Features and Benefits
• Effective foliar action
• A unique combination of cations
• Leaves no synthetic chemical residues
• Foliar applied and fortifies the leaf to help the plant cope with environmental stress
• Integrates with disease management programs (IDM)
• Approved for organic crop production according to EC 834/2007
• Can be used in conjunction with Vitalnova Prime
• Can be used for all crop types (edible and non edible)
• Vitalnova Guardian is a foliar intervention product only when crop stress is evident
Directions for use
Vitalnova Guardian is foliar applied at 2ml per litre (0.2%) | 2L per Ha. Product performs best if used within 24 months of the date of manufacture. Half fill the tank with water before adding the required amount of Vitalnova Guardian. Stir the solution during mixing and during spraying operations. If mixing this product with other plant protection products, it is advisable to check the physical compatibility prior to mixing in the tank.
Guaranteed Analysis
Copper (Cu) 2.0%
Iron (Fe) 1.6%
Manganese (Mn) 0.8%
Zinc (Zn) 3.2%
Derived from Copper sulfate, Ferrous sulfate, Manganese sulfate and Zinc
Important Application Information
Vitalnova Guardian is foliar applied product therefore water volumes will need to be adjusted to achieve good coverage across the plant canopy. Usual rates are 250-500 litres per ha as per label rates, but this can be adjusted to suit the individual crop canopy.
Please ask your Technical Area Sales Manager for more information.
Spraying correctly
A tall and dense canopy will require a larger water volume to achieve good coverage of the foliage.
Knowing your spray application equation
Knowing the amount of product you can apply per tank is extremely important especially when converting litres per hectare (as per labels) to the amount required in different tan sizes. The simple equation (right) will help you convert.
Did you know?
Vitalnova Guardian is a foliar only applied product and is not taken up by the roots, therefore leaf coverage is essential for effective use of the product.
Rate of use
Rate Litre \ Ha x Tank size (Litres) / water volume (litres\ha) = amount of product for particular tank size
Example
2L x 20L / 500L = 0.08l \ 20 litre tank
This equation works for all tank sizes. If you have any questions or queries regarding application of these please contact your Technical Area Sales Manager.
Plant Health Planner
To help growers plan ahead and optimise plant health on their nurseries year-round, ICL has developed a ground-breaking new Plant Health Planner.
Ground-breaking Plant Health Planner
A digital web-based tool has been designed to both simplify and optimise plant health programmes on UK nurseries.
In line with the Sustainable Use Directive, our Plant Health Planner also helps growers reduce their reliance on chemical crop protection products.
New era
We have entered a new era for plant health. With an ever-diminishing range of available chemicals, growers are adopting a different mindset and a more sustainable IPM approach to keeping their crops healthy.
Cultural control is growing in importance again, as the first line of defence, followed by a programmed biological approach to boost plant health and control target pests and diseases. As a last resort, growers still have a small range of chemical products to fall back on.
Planned approach
To be successful, it is key to have a planned approach!
At the outset, we recommend growers meet their ICL Technical Area Sales Manager (TASM) to pinpoint the particular plant health problem areas on the nursery; likely time of year; crops impacted; geographical location of the nursery and products currently used to address the issues.
Plant health planner features
Vine weevil – full season recommendations
• Vine weevil control products
- Vine Weevil Seeka
- Vine Weevil Seeka CT (Cold Tolerant)
- Pitcher GR
- Lalguard M52 GR
• Nematode calculator
- By inputting basic data this tool works out the quantity of stock solution required for individual spray tank
• Recommendations for use of Fungus Gnat Seeka also available
Plant health recommendations – when to use biostimulants
- Vitalnova Prime
- Vitalnova Guardian
- Vitalnova TriBoost
Plant protection products
- Amistar
- Prestop
- Mainspring
- Incorporate to a full plan with other active ingredients
Mobile friendly
• Can be used during crop walks for instant advice and recommendations
• Recommendations accessible when required
User friendly
• Growers are able to access rates for products
• Provides instant access to product labels and safety data sheets
• User guides for products also available for download
More products will become available online as the ICL portfolio grows and can be integrated with third party products to help growers create a one stop shop planner which can be used effectively on nursery.
Mobile FriendlyArmed with this information, ICL’s TASM’s can identify and discuss any cultural improvements that could be made and develop an accompanying Plant Health Plan. Depending on the plant health issues identified, this plan might be for a limited period – say 12 weeks - or a year or more.
Easy to use
Once set up, nursery production staff can access their bespoke plant health plan via a mobile, tablet or desktop computer. Simply click on the week number to view the recommended course of action.
Also available
If you have a programme which is set for a year you are also able to request a wall planner - please speak to your local TASM for details.
Example
The plant health planner can be used to create robust plant health plans for any issue seen on the nursery. This might include a year round program for vine weevil control or a 6 week plan for control of a certain pest or disease.
To optimise crop value and performance you can add:
Features an NPK release pattern that matches the plant needs closer than before
Maximise the efficiency of your feed regime
Enhance the performance of your trace element package
A multi use biological fungicide for protection against damping off and root rot diseases
A powerful biological insecticide for glasshouse, nursery and open field insect pests
Vitalnova TriBoost has live microbial strains and enzymes selected for their role in healthy soils
Increase the water efficiency of your growing media
Did you know?
ICL can supply growing media in various formats suitable to your nursery from 75L and Bulk Bags to Probales and Bulk deliveries.
Our Technical Area Sales Managers will be pleased to discuss the effect and benefits of all the different materials available and suggest the best mixes for growing the crops on your nursery.
To order your ICL products or get the latest information and advice
Call +44 (0)1473 237 111
Email prof.sales@icl-group.com
Web www.icl-sf.co.uk www.icl-sf.ie
At ICL we know that grower requirements vary geographically and from crop to crop, therefore we offer a complete solutions package designed to produce growing media for our customers’ individual needs.