Biostimulants aren’t a recent addition in horticulture, but a unique concentrate from UPL Australia is setting a new benchmark for Australian Horticultural growers.
Gaxy® is a super-concentrated filtered extract of North Atlantic kelp, using globally patented cool temperature extraction and filtration technology, to preserve the natural ingredients, and deliver the most concentrated foliar Biostimulant with Organic Certification in Australia.
This unique process of extraction, filtration and concentration preserves and concentrates the Plant Growth Promoting Hormones (PGPH) within, to ensure high quality, purity, and integrity of this concentrated extract.
“What this means for fruit and vegetable growers is much lower application rates and excellent compatibility with tank mixing products compared to competing seaweed extracts in the market,” said Neil Innes, UPL Australia BioSolutions Manager.
A cool temperature manufacturing process which guarantees the stability of the raw material is used, and therefore all the PGPH of the raw materials are retained. The material begins its extraction process within 24 hours of harvest, allowing for a consistent and high-quality product.
This unique patented process also removes unwanted inert material such as alginates and cellulose from the formulation, allowing for a high concentration of biologically actives in the finished product.
The seaweed filtrate stimulates chlorophyll function, plant photosynthesis, root initiation and polyamines synthesis to improve flowering, fruit set and the quality of harvested fruit.
Gaxy is unique in its mild extraction technology, unlike many competitors on the market that utilise alkaline products and or heat, to speed up the extraction process. Alkaline extracted Biostimulants, when mixed into the spray tank, may lead to incompatibility reactions with crop protection products and certain nutrients.
A key mode of action of Gaxy is the activation of flowering hormones involved in fruit production due to the stimulation of polyamine synthesis.
“Polyamines play a role in flower set, growth activation, maintenance of cell wall integrity and seed germination,” said Neil. “For example, fruit position and size correlates to the plant’s polyamine content.”
“One or two applications coupled with low use rates, plus the ability to tank mix applications more readily all contribute to efficiencies on-farm, and more money in the grower’s pockets. But the greater benefits are in the improved fruit set, evenness of set, quantity and quality that can be achieved by using Gaxy,” Neil added.
“When you’re paying top dollar in the current market for fertilisers, you want to make sure you’re utilising and maximising your return from them.”
Cucurbit & Tomato trial results show improved yields and quality
UPL have been trialing Gaxy extensively in Australia, and Neil says the results are nothing short of amazing.
Trial results in 2021 winter season of cucurbits, applied at the key growth stage of BBCH13 (3 true leaf), showed yield increases to the extent of 40:1 return in zucchini and 100:1 in melons*.
“More recent trials in tomatoes reinforce that one or two applications are doing the positive ‘grunt work’ for yield, with the extra vigour resulting in increased fruit fill and maturity of fruit. Gaxy treatments gave 27.5% more yield than the control (which received no Biostimulant application), which was an average of 5.6 more pieces of fruit per plant.”
Gaxy is available from agricultural supply outlets. For more information visit www.upl-ltd.com/au
* Returns assuming rockmelon market price of $0.90/kg for 18kg tray; zucchini market price S/M @ $2/kg; M @ $1.80/kg; M/L @ $1.40/kg; & tomato market price of $2.00/kg
ENDS
Images:
- Trial Graph 1 Tomatoes (Bowen)
- Trial Graph 2 Melons (Bowen)
Recent Comments