Here in Aotearoa, New Zealand we love our potatoes and onions. We export enormous quantities of both these vegetables around the world and consume around 66 kgs of potatoes per person and 20,000 tons of onions annually! Our climate means there is nowhere in New Zealand where you can’t grow onions and potatoes.
Growing potatoes or onions at your place does require some patience but it’s an extremely rewarding exercise so read on to learn how biological organisms and fulvic acid will aid your endeavours.
Beneficial Organisms – Rootella, Mycorrhizal Fungi and Superzyme
Mycorrhizal Fungi:
Rootella is the name of our Mycorrhizal fungi product. Mycorrhizal fungi are living organisms which have been shaping the evolution of terrestrial plants on earth for 400 million years! These tiny, but mighty fungi work their magic underground, forming a symbiotic bond with plant roots, improving plant growth and soil health, and supporting the environment by storing carbon in permanent storage sinks in the soil.
Both potatoes and onions benefit from the associations with mycorrhizal fungi, onions in particular are highly mycorrhiza-dependent and can suffer in the absence of mycorrhizae.
The addition of Rootella when planting your onions or potatoes will give them better access to water and nutrients, in particular phosphorus which is important to ensure consistent growth and maturity.
In terms of disease, onions can be susceptible to white rot and downy mildew while potatoes can suffer with blight. Mycorrhizal fungi have been shown to provide protection from diseases like white rot* and indeed, beneficial organisms utilise a variety of mechanisms to provide protection from pathogens while improving soil structure and health.
*Torres-Barragán, A., Zavaleta-MejÃa, E., González-Chávez, C. et al. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizae to control onion white rot (Sclerotium cepivorum Berk.) under field conditions. Mycorrhiza 6, 253–257 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/s005720050133
Superzyme:
Superzyme is a biological inoculant which contains four species of both beneficial fungi and bacteria, promoting germination, root development and in turn ensuring a good yield from your garden plot.
Optimal soil conditions are crucial for growing potatoes and onions. Both potatoes and onions like well-drained and cultivated soil. The beneficial organisms in Superzyme help break down organic matter, releasing essential nutrients.
Both Rootella and Superzyme can be used in your seed raising mix for onions and added to the hole/furrows when planting seed potatoes.
Mobilizer, Fulvic Acid for nutrient dense produce
Soil no longer has the abundance of vitamins and minerals and other nutrients it once had. The use of chemicals and synthetic fertilisers has upset the microbial balance of soil and much of our commercially grown produce is no longer as nutrient dense as we would expect (compared to 40-50 years ago).
Of course, in your home garden, you have the choice to go with organic products and avoid chemicals. You can ensure the soil in your garden, and therefore the produce you are growing in that soil, is providing the nutrients both plants and humans require with the simple addition of our Fulvic Acid product, Mobilizer.
Fulvic acid benefits your produce by transporting the nutrients from the soil to the plants and by activating these same nutrients, so they are in a much more absorbable form. In the absence of Fulvic Acid,( earth’s natural transporter) plants may have access to nutrients, but their uptake can be limited.
Also, minimal Fulvic Acid in the soil means that the plants we are growing will also have minimal Fulvic Acid to pass on to us! In humans, just as in plants, Fulvic Acid carries important minerals directly to our cells which in turn can have positive impacts on all types of diseases and ailments.
If you’re interested in some extra reading, have a look at this article from Superfood Journal talking about the science backed health benefits of Fulvic Acid.
But, what about my onions and potatoes you’re asking? Trials conducted in New Zealand show that Mobilizer, Fulvic Acid has helped commercial onion growers increase yields and improve survival rates with just 2 applications during the growing season. Potatoes also love Mobilizer, increasing overall weights and quality in field trials.
With Roots, Shoots & Fruits Rootella, Superzyme and Mobilizer, you can take advantage of organic, commercial grade products that will feed your soil, produce nutrient-dense potatoes and onions and nurture the natural environment. Simple!
