Greenhouse/Landscaping

Greenhouse Program

Elements: Bio-Desolve Natural Soil & Compost Enhancer and Bio-Desolve Soil Carbon Mix

A growth trial of tomato, cucumber and watermelon plants was conducted in-house using Bio-Desolve Natural Soil & Compost Enhancer – an all-natural, environmentally friendly product used to control and treat disease-causing pathogens in the soil, and protect root systems, reducing disease pressure in crops.  It also makes nutrients in the soil more readily available for uptake by plants, and supplies beneficial bacteria and microbes in the soil with a food source.  Naturally-occurring, microbial ingredients and liquefied carbons – substances that have been in existence for centuries – comprise the base for each of the products in the Bio-Desolve line.  They were selected for their natural abilities to break down pollutants and improve water and soil quality.

How & Why Bio-Desolve Works

One of the main ingredients in our Bio-Desolve line is humic carbon.  It has been studied and proven that humic substances increase the germination capacity of seed and vitamin content of plants.  It has also been observed that humic substances show a positive effect with the growth of various groups of microorganisms.  Humic carbons act as specific sensitizing agents, increasing the permeability of the plasma membrane, resulting in an increased uptake of nutrients by the plants.  When humic carbons enter the plant at early stages of development, enzyme systems are intensified, cell division is accelerated, root systems show greater development and yield of dry matter increases.

Growth Trial Process

1. Miracle-Gro seed starter soil was used as the base soil for all cells and pots used in the trial.
2. 100 mL of Bio-Desolve Natural Soil & Compost Enhancer was mixed with 300 mL of water and poured into 8 litres (0.2825 ft3) of soil to be used in the treated cells and pots. Water is added to allow easier distribution of product throughout.
3. 8 litres (0.2825 ft3) of soil was left untreated to be used in untreated cells and pots.
4. 6 varieties of tomato seeds were planted, as well as watermelon seeds and cucumber seeds.  All seeds of the same variety came from the same source.
5. All seeds were planted at the same time, and watered using the local pipeline tap water.  In trays with cells, half of the tray was planted with untreated soil, and half was planted with Bio-Desolve Natural Soil & Compost Enhancer treated soil (see fig. 1).
6. Trial took place in a room at an average temperature of 68 oF, so planted trays were placed on a heat mat that ran continuously, and under a grow lamp that operated daily from 8am – 8pm.
7. Cells and pots were watered every other day.
8. Trays were rotated for equal exposure.

Results

Seedling Germination

As seen in figure 1, the tomato test cells treated with Bio-Desolve Natural Soil & Compost Enhancer germinated faster, and with a higher success rate.  On day nine, 31 of 36 cells treated with Bio-Desolve had already germinated, whereas 20 of 36 untreated cells germinated.  By day 21, the treated cells had a 100% germination rate (36 of 36 cells germinated), and the untreated cells had an 80.5% germination rate (29 of 36 cells germinated).

Results were similar in the watermelon and cucumber trials as well (figure 2).  At day nine, only seeds planted in soil treated with Bio-Desolve Natural Soil & Compost Enhancer had germinated.  Those planted in the untreated soil were not yet visible.  By day 21, all pots had germinated.  Those planted in the Bio-Desolve treated soil were into the next stage of leaf growth.

Root Growth

In figure 3, the advancement in root development can be seen.  The Bio-Desolve treated plant has substantially more root development, leading to stronger, more resilient plants.  This is obvious in the height difference seen in the treated versus untreated plants.

Figure 4 shows the difference in the size of the plants once established in the garden.  The tomato plants grown in Bio-Desolve treated soil are larger than the tomato plant grown in untreated soil.

Fruit

Although not quantitatively measured, it was noted that the fruit of the tomato plants showed a difference between treated and untreated.  In two different varieties of tomatoes planted, the fruit in the untreated plants showed high levels of split tomatoes, whereas the same varieties, when treated had virtually no split fruit to speak of.  See figure 5.

Applications

Potting & Transplanting

• 10 L Bio-Desolve per cubic yard of soil (mixed in 30 L of water)
• 350 mL Bio-Desolve per cubic foot (28 L) of soil (mixed in 1 L of water)

Composting

• 0.5 L Bio-Desolve per cubic yard of compost (mixed in 2.5 L of water)

Garden & Flowerbeds

• 350 mL Bio-Desolve per 1000 square feet of soil (mixed in 2.5 L of water)

Lawncare

• 10 L Bio-Desolve per acre of lawn (mixed in 100 L of water)
• 230 mL Bio-Desolve per 1000 square feet (mixed in 10 L of water)

Greenhouse Drip Lines

• 2 mL Bio-Desolve per plant, added to the nutrient solution

Suggested Greenhouse Program

Step 1: Use Bio-Desolve Soil & Compost Enhancer when planting seeds or cuttings – 350 mL Bio-Desolve per cubic foot (28 L) of rooting medium (mixed in 1 L of water)

Step 2: Add Bio-Desolve Soil Carbon Mix to nutrient solution in drip lines. Use 1 mL per plant (added to nutrient solution) during the initial treatment, then increase to 2 Ml per plant when nutrient solution is at full strength.

Note: At full strength, Bio-Desolve Soil Carbon Mix will supply each plant with approximately 100 mg of humic acid per day.

Why Use the Bio-Desolve Greenhouse Program?

When using the total program, you can expect to see the following results:

• Increase in yield expected; scientific literature suggests average increases of 25%
• in tomato production and 36% in cucumbers
• Increase in germination capacity
• Increase in uptake of nutrients by plant
• Increase in root and shoot mass
• Fruit with fewer blemishes, and sweeter in taste
• Longer production from healthier plant
• Disease suppression due to increased plant health
• Small investment has the capability of large returns