oldskool63
- 68
- 18
all you need to know about coco and a diy coco buffer recipe
all you need to know about coco and a diy coco buffer recipe
“In a second experiment, two nutrient media, modified Long Ashton and modified Knop plus Hoagland medium were compared for culturing G. mosseae on T. aestivum. A significantly higher root dry weight was found for the mycorrhizal versus the non-mycorrhizal wheat plants in modified Long Ashton nutrient medium, which contained 10 µM P and an organic buffer. Modified Knop plus Hoagland nutrient medium contained a high P concentration (0.9 mM) and did not produce viable cultures of mycorrhizal colonisation….. This report describes a system for the viable culture of G. mosseae with different plant species where a high mycorrhizal colonisation rate was produced under conditions of a short culture period using intermittent aeration, a low concentration of P supply and an organic buffer.” 1
[End Quote]
1. H.-J. Hawkins and E. George (2004) Hydroponic culture of the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae with Linum usitatissimum L., Sorghum bicolor L. and Triticum aestivum L.
You can perhaps tell that the correct use of friendly bacteria can be a slippery slope and it is important to understand the science in order to ensure that a healthy rhizosphere environment is maintained through
Introducing the right bacteria into the growing system (and)
Ensuring there is a conducive environment to sustain and increase ‘biomass’ (bacteria numbers)
Friendly Bacteria Products
Liquid Vs Dry Friendly Bacteria Products – which are better?
Liquids
Let’s say I isolated some friendly bacteria – say a couple of types of bacillus – and they were isolated from yoghurt or soap by products. Let’s say I threw my bacillus in a bottle of fluid with some food (sugar and carbons). Then I put the bottle on a shelf for a month or two (or three or five). My bacillus might survive until their food ran out; then again something else might happen to them, such as they might survive in lower temperatures but die out very quickly at higher temperatures or they may survive in one pH but die out (or reduce in numbers) at another pH. There are just too many variables to consider and there are no guarantees that you are getting what you have paid for in the case of many of the “hydro” industries liquid friendly bacterial products.
Author’s note: There have been breakthroughs in research and at least one liquid product that is sold through the agricultural sector has stabilised bacteria contained within the fluid. We’ll post updates on www.integralhydro.com
Dry Bacteria Products
These products, for the most part, are far more reliable than most of the liquid products (sold through the “hydro” retail industry) due to the ability for bacterial spores to survive long term in a dry, suspended state (bacillus spores, for instance, can survive for approximately 2 years if stored at room temperature – 20 - 250 C). Effectively the spores are attached to either a sugar or a carbon base (or both) where they remain suspended until they come into contact with water (i.e. placed in the nutrient tank). The shelf life of these products is, therefore, far more reliable than that of their liquid equivalents. These products are best stored in an air tight bag in the fridge.
Sustaining ‘Biomass’ (Bacteria numbers)
The food source for friendly bacteria is sugars and carbons. Create an environment that is rich in these components and you will create a dynamic environment for friendly bacteria.
Fulvic Acid
Where friendly bacteria are concerned humates (e.g. humic acid and fulvic acid) are an extremely effective food source. Humates are carbons – elements of ancient compost that formed over millions of years through the interaction of organic material and microbial action – and, therefore, their presence (along with other factors) in the growing system will ensure a rich environment in which friendly bacteria numbers will explode.
Fulvic acid is the most important humate bio-extract where hydroponics is concerned. It is water soluble and readily available for plant uptake.
Other than creating a dynamic environment for friendly bacteria, fulvic acid aids greatly in nutrient uptake and translocation within the plant. For this reason it should always be used in conjunction with a balanced nutritional program.
Fulvic Acid Benefits:
Enhances cell growth
Increases nutrient uptake
Increases nutrient transportation
Increases silica absorption
Stimulates plant immune system
Creates a dynamic environment for friendly bacteria
Humic Acid
Humic acid is less suitable for hydroponic systems. However, humic acid is suitable for soil growing and its use in soils will prove beneficial for rhizosphere microbial interaction and nutrient uptake.
Sugars
Other than humates (i.e. carbons) sugars are also the food source for friendly bacteria. Because of this, products containing molasses (e.g. some organic stimulants) and other sugars can be beneficial in the growing system.
Cautions when using Friendly Bacteria
If you are adding friendlies to chlorinated water supplies (i.e. mains water), there is every chance (depending on the level of chlorine) that the chlorine is killing a good many of the beneficial microorganisms. Ideally you will have a secondary holding tank where you can leave your tap water exposed to air for 24 hours prior to it going into your system. This will ensure the water is chlorine free (the chlorine dissipates) by the time you introduce the friendlies.
On this note, sterilising agents (e.g. monochloramine or hydrogen peroxide) should never be used in conjunction with friendly bacteria.
Beneficial Microbes for Hydroponics
Just some of the beneficial microbes for hydroponics are:
Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus Subtillus, Pseudomonas and Azopirillum.
You can possibly buy dry friendly bacteria products through your local agricultural supply store or through garden centres. Where possible, try to purchase in bulk to save money. In some cases you may even be able to purchase manufacture direct. You can also purchase bacillus and trichoderma products through www.integralhydro.com (No hype! We bring you the science)..... Coming Soon..
Grow well....
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?