Amino Acid Biofertilizers

By Jose Casasola, Nutramax Laboratories, Inc.

MACRO-SORB® & QUELANT® from Nutramax Laboratories

Amino acids, the building blocks of all proteins, are normally synthesized by plants through thousands of chemical reactions and a significant expenditure of energy. However, when plants are growing under less than optimum conditions or under any kind of stress, they are unable to synthesize all the amino acids needed for normal growth and development. In many instances, plants have to break down structural proteins of roots to obtain these amino acids.

Several Studies conducted by Dr. T. Watschke at Penn State, Dr. R. Schmidt at Virginia Tech, and many others around the country have shown the positive effects of exogenous applied amino acids on turfgrass. Some interesting results of their research include the increased tolerance of turf to stressful conditions, increased concentration of chlorophyll, increased photosynthetic capacity (especially during periods of major environmental stress), increased root mass, decreased incidence of diseases, enhanced efficacy of commercially available broadleaf herbicides and PGRs, among other benefits.

MACRO-SORB®radicular

Apply 4 oz./1000 sq. ft. every 15-20 days during Spring and Fall, especially after aerating, hydrojecting, overseeding, or

sodding and water it into the root zone to enhance plant recovery, increase root mass production and enhance nutrient up-take by the plant from the soil.

MACRO-SORB® foliar

Apply 1-2 oz./1000 sq. ft. every 7-15 days especially in stressed areas or during adverse environmental conditions to increase chlorohpyll formation, increase tolerance of plants to stress, and improve the efficiency of nutrients or other foliar applied products.

QUELANT® -Ca

Apply 1-2 oz./1000 sq. ft. every 15-20 days to keep calcium levels sufficient within the plant for stronger cell walls, turgidity, and increased tolerance to stress and disease. Apply 3 oz./1000 sq. ft. to correct a known deficiency.

QUELANT®-K

Apply 2 oz./l000 sq. ft. every 20-30 days during Summer and Fall or anytime throughout the season to increase potassium levels within the plant, improve heat and cold stress tolerance, and enhance synthesis of carbohydrates and proteins.

Calcium 

Calcium is unique among the elements in that it is both an essential plant nutrient as well as a soil amendment.

Calcium is generally considered a secondary nutrient. This is not because it is any less important than any other required nutrient, but because it is required in lesser amounts than the macronutrients. Calcium plays an essential role in cell division and elongation. It also plays an important role in the structure and permeability of cell membranes. Without calcium, the cell membranes break down, causing a loss of diffusible compounds. Calcium also enhances uptake of some nitrogen forms, as well as transport and retention of other nutrients within the roots plant.

Because calcium is required for cell division and elongation, deficiencies first appear at root tips and other growing points.

Calcium deficiency due to an actual lack of calcium in the soil is uncommon, particularly in western soils where calcium is a common soil constituent. Despite this, deficiencies do occur for several reasons. The ability of the plant to take up calcium is limited since it can be absorbed only by young root tips that have not yet suberized. Because of this, any condition that limits root growth will also severely restrict calcium uptake.

Another important reason is that calcium is immobile within the plant. As a result, if a deficiency occurs in the growing points of the plant or in the fruit, calcium will not move from the older tissue to where it is deficient. Additionally, calcium competes with other elements, particularly ammonic nitrogen, magnesium and potassium, for uptake by the plant.

Soluble calcium (Ca2) plays a critical role in reclaiming saline soils and in establishing and maintaining good soil flocculation. We are all aware of the potential negative effects of excess salts in soil: poor growth, reduced yields, and if salt levels are high enough, inability to grow. Likewise, a soil that has “broken down” will become impermeable to air and water penetration.

Sodium is a monovalent cation (it has one positive charge) which will be attracted to the surface of soil particles that are negatively charged. If high levels of sodium are present, then sodium will be present on many of the exchange sites. The sodium ions will not be attracted to other soil particles and the particles will not form aggregates or crumbs, which are desired for good soil structure. Instead, the soil structure will break down, leading to a soil that is impermeable to air and water. In addition, the sodium ion itself can be toxic to plants at high concentrations.

Calcium is a divalent cation (it has two positive charges) meaning it can be attracted to two different soil particles and “bond” them together. It can be thought of as a bridge between the soil particles. Many soil particles can be linked together in this way to form aggregates or crumbs. This creates a well-flocculated soil that allows water and air penetration.

Because calcium is a divalent cation, it has a greater attraction to soil particles than a monovalent cation such as sodium, and it will replace sodium on the exchange site.

Briefly, the key is to make soluble calcium available. This can be accomplished in two ways: 1) solubilize the calcium that is already in the soil , and 2) add soluble calcium.