It’s a New Year and with it brings an opportunity to consider new outlooks and new ways to do things, to rethink how we’ve done things in the past and how we might improve upon them. For those that have followed our newsletters, you’re aware of our position – it’s all about improving the soil. We believe:
- Soil health is a neglected resource – it’s a reservoir of biodiversity
- Synthetic fertilizers provide short-term benefits but cause soil depletion and diminished water storage
- SOM (Soil Organic Matter) was historically available in supportive proportions and has been depleted over time by the use of synthetic materials
- Nutritional problems in the soil lead to lower crop quality and yields which becomes more costly over time
- Plants don’t grow from just nutrients but from the creation of energy (maximizing photosynthesis and rhizosphere activity)
- Understanding how organic and sustainable products work together enables you to achieve optimal crop health and yields – it’s all about the synergist cocktail.
I’m defining organic practices as forgoing synthetic manufactured chemical-based products and instead applying biological products to complement what nature is trying to achieve. We start by analyzing the soil chemistry and biology that exists in a field to determine the most effective path to combat nutrient deficiencies and mitigate mineral excesses. Invigorating soil biology is a tremendous help when it comes to balancing soil chemistry. As soil biology improves, uptake of nutrients and minerals becomes more efficient, and water and existing nutrients become more available. Disease and insect pressure are reduced because healthy plants are resistant to disease and insects!
To achieve these improved results, Andaman Ag, sells soil amendments; drip/broadcast/foliar fertilizers; biostimulants; biological inoculants; and crop protection products. As improved soils deliver healthier crops, the cycle or symbiotic relationship between the plant and soil’s microbial community speeds up as the plant starts feeding the soil through root exudation. The healthy plant then becomes the mechanism to improve soil and create SOM. The healthier plant delivers a greater reserve of sugars to the root system, expanding the microbial community that provides more efficient access to nutrients, which increases the plant’s photosynthesis ability, the engine of the plant that delivers improved crop quality and yields.
Once we can get the soil biology and crop photosynthesis humming, over time input costs can be reduced, leading to a more appealing Return on Investment. Let Andaman Ag help you in the new year to turn over a new leaf in farming practices and reap the subsequent rewards.