What is Biofumigation?

How do they work?

The ITC gas is produced when plant cells are damaged (by crushing or chopping) and the glucosinolates (present in all brassicas) come into contact with an enzyme (myrosinase) in the presence of water. This natural fumigation process can attack pesticide resistant weeds such as blackgrass, suppresses pests such as nematodes and deters soil borne diseases.  Furthermore, the action of green manuring improves soil structure, health and fertility and prevents expensive nutrients freely leaching away.

What are the benefits?

General to all following crops, mustards will act as “nitrogen holders” preventing this valuable nutrient from leaching away. The cost of a mustard crop can be virtually offset by the value of nitrogen is holds.
More specifically, in cereals, effective bio-fumigation can reduce weed burdens, including resistant blackgrass and ryegrass. Associated soil borne diseases would also be inhibited such as fusarium, take all etc.
In potatoes, most interest lies in the mustard ability to naturally reduce potato cyst nematode levels, particularly topical with uncertain future of chemical nematicides.  Improvements in skin finish are also well documented.
Sugar beet and vegetable crops also benefit from pest and disease reduction.

For cereals – TACKLE

The Tackle blend is formulated to inhibit the growth of invasive and herbicide-resistant weeds. Repeated application of Tackle will 'clean' the soil since the invasive and herbicide-resistant weed growth will be inhibited, with each repetition limiting their ability to set seed.

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For Potatoes – SPUDGUARD

The SpudGuard blend is formulated to produce required levels of allyl isothiocyanates in the plant and root biomass at concentrations that are suited to controlling potato pests, parasites and nematodes. In addition, SpudGuard will help inhibit invasive weed growth.

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For Sugar Beet – ROOTGUARD

The RootGuard blend is formulated to produce required levels of allyl isothiocyanates in the plant and root biomass at concentrations that are suited to controlling soil-borne diseases affecting sugarbeet and other root crops. In addition, RootGuard will help inhibit invasive weed growth.

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For Field Vegetables – VEGEGUARD

The VegeGuard blend is formulated to produce required levels of allyl isothiocyanates in the plant and root biomass at concentrations that are suited controlling soil-borne diseases affecting open field vegetables and annual and perennial soft fruits crops. In addition, VegeGuard will help inhibit invasive weed growth.

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