A Popular way to boost nitrogen fixation

Boosting plant growth is at the forefront of all growers’ minds. But how do we maximise yield whilst ensuring our crops remain healthy? Increasing the availability of vital nutrients like nitrogen is key, and it all comes down to aiding efficient nitrogen fixation.

What is biological nitrogen fixation?

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting free nitrogen in the air to ammonia, which plants use for their development. This process occurs in the root nodules of legumes, and a few other non-leguminous species, by way of a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia).

But how can we promote this nitrogen fixation to boost seedling growth?

1. Use a pre-inoculant on legume seeds to introduce rhizobia

To maximise the benefits of nitrogen fixation, legume seed can be inoculated before planting. This means that the rhizobia is applied as a coating and sticks to the outside of the seeds.

Different legumes require specific strains of rhizobia which may not already be present in the soil. Pre-inoculating seeds with the correct strain ensures that when it comes to germination, the plant will have the correct strain of bacteria within the root nodules to promote nitrogen fixation. Without sufficient bacteria available, nitrogen fixation is hindered, and seedling growth is reduced.

Preside.CL is a pre-inoculant that not only contains high levels of rhizobia for nitrogen fixation but is also infused with a biostimulant, to further boost root & plant growth. Better rhizobia leads to more nitrogen and therefore a greater yield potential, simple!