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Technology

• Microbial growth functions
• PGPR
• Microbial quality
• Support product quality
• Directions for Use, Handling & Storage

Microbial Growth Functions

PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting
Rhizobacteria)

The microbe complexes in Microbial Solutions’ microbial products not only chelate soil minerals but also produce high levels of ATP required for the uptake of those minerals. The use of these products gives rise to greatly “increased” plant growth over and above what would be termed as “normal” growth, and way beyond that of plants with “retarded” growth.

Lifeforce^® , Firstbase^® , Biostart^®, Waterbac^® , Waterbac^® and ^DPress^® are therefore the only products registered as microbial bio-fertilisers under South Africa’s Act 36 of 1947.

Hormonal growth stimulation

The microbes used in Lifeforce^® , Firstbase^® , Biostart^®, Waterbac^® , Waterbac^® and ^DPress^® colonise the plant’s roots and continuously produce essential growth hormones such as auxins (IAAs), gibberellins and cytokinins.

These give rise to significantly increased plant growth over and above what can be seen as both “normal” growth and “retarded” growth.

Disease reduction

When using Microbial Solutions application programs diseases are reduced by way of competition for nutrients, antagonism against most common plant root fungal diseases, anti-biotic production, siderophores and the activation of Systemic Acquired Resistance Syndrome (SARS). This allows for plants to increase from “retarded” to “normal” growth, and frequently by way of bio-fertilisation and hormone production on up to “increased” size.

^DPress^® is the most powerful fungal disease suppressant in the Microbial Solutions’ product range, especially when co-applied with our Genesis Superguard^®. Other products in the range such as Lifeforce^® , Firstbase^® , Biostart^®, Waterbac^® , Landbac^® have a mild to medium fungal pathogen suppressant action, but far better bio-fertilisation and hormonal action for extra growth stimulation.

Soil pest suppression

When stimulated by natural plant proteins the bacillus bacteria in Biostart^® produce the enzyme chitinase which hardens and then destroys nematode and many other soil pest eggs. This removes the cause of root damage allowing the plant to move from “retarded” to “normal” growth.

The following photographs were taken during tests done at the University of Potchefstroom. They clearly show how nematode eggs are destroyed when they come into contact with bacillus bacteria in Biostart^®.


Untreated nematode eggs developing and hatching from soft egg wall membranes.


Treated egg walls hardening preventing hatching. Nematode eggs break up returning nutrients to the soil.

Biostart^® contains very high levels of the bacteria that produces chitinase which hardens and destroys nematode and many other soil pest eggs. When co-applied with Microboost Chitinfreeze^® , a natural plant protein, chitinase production is even further enhanced.

Other Microbial Solutions’ products such as Lifeforce^® , Firstbase^® , Waterbac^® , and Landbac^® possess much lower levels of the microbe that produces chitinase, but higher levels of the other microbes that enhance bio-fertilisation and hormonal action required for extra growth stimulation from “normal” to “increased” levels.

Legume inoculation

Legume inoculation is the introduction of commercial rhizobium products to promote nitrogen fixation. This is done by applying inoculum directly onto the seed prior to planting, or by running the inoculum into the seed furrow during planting. The rhizobium fix nitrogen in nodules on the legume’s roots.

Microbial strengths of rhizobium inoculants are critical to success. International standards require a minimum of 100,000 rhizobium bacteria / seed for successful inoculation. At a minimum strength of 2 x 10⁹ (2,000,000,000 rhizobium / ml) Likuiq^® is more than 70 times above that standard, but seeing that the average strength of the product is very much higher, Likuiq^® is actually usually about 1,500 times stronger than required.

Because accurate and complete seed coverage plays a critical role in application Microbial Solutions’ Seed Treatment Machine should be used for best nodulation and crop yield results.

In addition, as is the case with all plants, legumes require not just rhizobium but other beneficial microbes to promote optimum growth. Co-inoculation of Likuiq^® together with Lifeforce^® , Firstbase^® , and Biostart^® gives rise to “increased” growth through bio-fertilisation and hormone production in the rhizosphere.

Bacillus products

Microbial Solutions bacillus microbial products are manufactured to the highest quality using unique fermentation processes that fully protect the integrity of each and every microbe. The end result is high strength, high quality products with multiple benefits. Our bacillus products are as easy to handle as conventional agricultural chemicals and fertilisers.

Benefits include:

• High microbial strengths ranging from 5 x 10⁸ to 1.5 x 10¹⁰ c.f.u. / ml (15,000,000,000 bacteria / ml).
• Temperature tolerant to a minimum of 80^oc.
• No refrigeration required throughout the cold chain.
• No need for special storage facilities.
• Natural non-toxic product, can be safely used around people, animals and water-life.
• Compatible with almost all known agricultural chemicals and fertilisers, can be co-applied from the same mix tank.
• Products applied to soil, seed and crop by all known methods of application and irrigation.

Rhizobium products

Microbial Solutions rhizobium microbial products are manufactured to the highest quality using world class fermentation processes. They are the only liquid legume inoculants on the market to contain peat which protects the rhizobium on the seed giving the product a longer life not only in the packaging but once inoculated onto the seed. The end result is high strength, high quality products with multiple benefits.

Benefits include:

• High microbial strengths claimed at 2 x 10⁹
• Actual strengths range from 5 x 10⁹ up to 9.6 x 10¹⁰ c.f.u. / ml (96,000,000,000 bacteria / ml).
• This puts the product between 70 & 1,500 times stronger than the international requirement of a minimum inoculation of 100,000 microbes / seed.
• Temperature tolerant to a minimum of 40^oc, can handle higher temperatures for short periods of time.
• No refrigeration required throughout the cold chain.
• Whilst we suggest the products are kept in a cool dry area there are no need for special storage facilities.
• Packed in high-tech, specialised plastic bladders that allow the product to “breathe” O₂ for good bacterial health and survival.
• Products have a greatly extended shelf life unlike those packed in plastic bottles.
• Natural non-toxic product, can be safely used around people, animals and water-life.
• Compatible with many agricultural chemicals and fertilisers, please contact your Microbial Solutions agent for details.

Humate and fulvic acid products

Microbial Solutions humates are manufactured using the highest quality Leonardite humates. Of all humate materials Leonardite has the highest levels of humic, fulvic and amino acids. Unlike all other humates on the market which are chemically reacted using a soil and microbe damaging ammonium hydroxide process, our humates are manufactured using only natural raw materials. They are the only liquid humate Leonardite products on the market. The end result is high strength, high quality humate giving multiple benefits.

Benefits include:

• High humic, fulvic and amino acid levels.
• Filtered to 400µ for ease of application.
• Temperature tolerant, no refrigeration required throughout the cold chain.
• Natural non-toxic product, can be safely used around people, animals and water-life.
• Compatible with many agricultural chemicals and fertilisers, please contact your Microbial Solutions agent for details.

For the most part Microbial Solutions products are easy to use, transport and store. The two exceptions are Likuiq^® & Nitrasec^® legume inoculants and Genesis^® Leonardite Humates.

• All of Microbial Solutions’ products.
• Legume Inoculants.
• Genesis Leonardite Humates.

Almost all of Microbial Solutions’ products.

• Can be applied by all known methods including in furrow application, seed treatment, pivot, boom spray, aerial spray, and micros & drippers.
• For ease of use as a seed treatment use the Microbial Solutions’ Seed Treatment Machine.
• Products can be co-applied with almost all known agricultural fertilisers.

• Ready to use, no mixing or other preparation is required.
• They can all be applied at any time of the day in direct sunlight.
• No special storage or transport requirements are applicable.

• Not temperature sensitive (80^oc+) can be stored at room temperature.
• Do not require refrigerated transport.
• Product shelf-lives vary, please check the label for expiry date.
• Whilst the products have UV light tolerance store out of direct sunlight.
• Store away from food and foodstuff.
• Keep out of the reach of unauthorized persons and children.

• Whilst the products are totally natural, the following precautions constitute good handling procedures and safe farming practices.
• Handle with care.
• Do not inhale spray mix.
• Use protective clothing such as goggles, gloves and boots when mixing and during application.
• If skin or eye contact occurs rinse with copious amounts of water.
• In the last 20 years only one adverse report has ever been received; this concerned an eye irritation when mixing Microboost Chitinfreeze^®.
• Destroy empty containers and do not use for any other purpose.

Legume inoculants.

• Likuiq^® preparations are mostly used as a seed treatment, but they can be applied in-furrow as well.
• Nitrasec^® products are always used on the seed.
• Do not expose the products to direct sunlight or excessive heat above 400c for long periods of time.
• For ease of use as a seed treatment use the Microbial Solutions’ Seed Treatment Machine.

• Likuiq^® is supplied with Bioprotector^®, an addendum formulated to assist the rhizobium to adhere better to the seed and to remain viable on the seed for a longer period after inoculation.
• Mix the products in the ratio suggested on the label, normally 150ml Likuiq^® to 50ml Bioprotector^®.
• No special storage or transport requirements are applicable.

• Likuiq^® and Nitrasec^® should be stored out of direct sunlight in a cool place, preferably below 20^oc.
• As they can withstand higher temperatures for short periods of time refrigerated transport is not necessary.
• Product shelf lives vary, please check the label for expiry date.
• Store away from food and foodstuff.
• Keep out of the reach of unauthorized persons and children.

• Whilst no adverse reports have been received and Microbial Solutions’ rhizobiums are natural products, the following precautions constitute good handling procedures and safe farming practices.
• Handle with care.
• Do not inhale spray mix.
• Use protective clothing such as goggles, gloves and boots when mixing and during application.
• If skin or eye contact occurs rinse with copious amounts of water.
• Destroy empty containers and do not use for any other purpose.

Genesis Leonardite Humate Liquid.

• This product is manufactured using naturally occurring Leonardite humates.
• A small portion (±10% to 15%) of the main raw material component is insoluble.
• Therefore be aware that the product may on occasions contain a small amount of particles of up to 400µ in suspension.
• In addition a sludge a couple of centimetres deep may be seen on the bottom of the drum.
• If the product is to be used in fine nozzle systems do NOT shake the drum, and pour the contents through a filter before use.

• Can be applied by most known methods including in furrow application - and as long as the product passes through a filter via pivot, boom spray, micros & drippers.
• Humates can be co-applied with almost all known agricultural fertilisers above 3.0 pH.
• Do not co-apply with low pH phosphate fertilisers.

• Ready to use, no mixing or other preparation is required.
• No special storage or transport requirements are applicable.

• Store at room temperature.
• Store away from food and foodstuff.
• Keep out of the reach of unauthorized persons and children.

• Whilst the products are totally natural, the following precautions constitute good handling procedures and safe farming practices.
• Handle with care.
• Do not inhale spray mix.
• Use protective clothing such as goggles, gloves and boots when mixing and during application.
• If skin or eye contact occurs rinse with copious amounts of water.
• Destroy empty containers and do not use for any other purpose.