An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Gold in The Garden

From good soil management to proper watering techniques, it’s important to practice prevention for healthy plants and maximum yields. The easiest way to prevent disease in your garden is to avoid introducing it. But, of course, we know that’s not always possible. 

While early detection is key to preventing crop loss, it’s often the invisible diseases, like root rot, that can cause the most damage. Symptoms include lower stem decay, yellowing leaves, stunted growth and leaf wilt. Sadly, these visible symptoms typically appear after it’s too late to fight the disease, as there is no cure for root rot other then cutting it out. . 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your plants and boost your yields at the same time. Here are 3 ways to prevent plant diseases in your garden:

1. Focus on Your Roots’ Health 

The root zone is one of the most important parts of the plant because nutrients and other essential elements enter plants almost exclusively through it. When you procure a clean root zone at the beginning of the growing cycle, you will not only be preventing diseases like root rot but also helping your plants reach their full potential.

One of the most effective ways to maintain a clean root zone is by adding an active enzyme, like cellulase, to your soil or hydroponic medium. Cellulase is the only enzyme that will break down dead root matter, preventing root rot from forming, unlocking essential nutrients for your plants and allowing more nutrient uptake.

2. Focus on Your Plants’ Health 

Similar to our body, the plant’s immune system protects it from outside invaders, and a malnourished plant is more vulnerable to pests and pathogens.

The easiest way to boost your plants’ immune system is to provide it with the proper nutrient load. However, salt, mineral and fertilizer buildup, and other factors, might not allow the plant to absorb all the necessary nutrients to build a strong immune system. 

That’s why in agriculture, they are using a natural biopolymer called Chitosan—a derivative of the naturally occurring compound Chitin—to improve plant health and protect it from harmful pest and pathogens. Chitosan acts like a vaccine by eliciting the plant defence responses, enhancing plant survival and activating different pathways to keep pests and pathogens at bay. (A non-toxic and effective way to boost your plants’ health!) 

3. Prevent Salt, Mineral and Fertilizer Buildup

As mentioned above, growers need to watch out for mineral accumulation. If left unchecked, salt, mineral, and fertilizer buildup in irrigation lines and grow media can make it difficult for plants to absorb nutrients and cause uneven water distribution in irrigation systems, affecting your plants’ health and growth. 

There are several ways to prevent salt, mineral, and fertilizer buildup. Besides regular flushing and watching out for clogged emitters and drip lines, you can also use a natural chelating agent throughout the crop cycle to keep your irrigation system and growing media clear of agricultural residuals—all while protecting your beneficials.

If you want a healthy root zone, natural pest and pathogens protection for your plants, and a clean grow media and irrigation system, check out our products.

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Ensuring your plants’ success has never been easier.

  • On December 22, 2021