Deep dive into Augment with Joe Barfoot
We did a deep dive into Augment with Joe Barfoot, Aiva’s Soil Fertility Consultant. In this Q&A Joe shares how Augment excels in peat-free growing.
Augment is a unique formulation for substrate grown crops. Easily applied via fertigation, Augment is not only designed to promote plant physiological responses but also to interact and influence the environment in which the plant grows.
1. Formulation and components
Q: Can you explain how the combination of seaweed extract, amino acids, bioactive carbon, and sugars in AUGMENT work synergistically?
A: The seaweed base is the backbone of AUGMENT, the 100% cold pressed Ascophyllum nodosum contains all the bio-active compounds and physiological triggers that stimulant increased plant rooting and natural plant responses to abiotic stress. These are then backed up by plant available L form amino acids providing the essential building blocks for these processes to take place. The active carbon in the form of humic and fulvic compounds act as a natural mineral chelator increasing the availability and uptake of both anions and cations, in its simplest form it increases nutrient use efficiency of nutrients applied with it. Finally these carbon compounds alongside the complex sugars are a great beneficial microbiome feed. AUGMENT is a true biological primer, priming the substrate growing environment for optimal root and biology growth.
Q: Are there specific crops or conditions where the formulation of AUGMENT has shown particularly outstanding results?
A: AUGMENT works great in all crops but has performed best as a fertigation additive in peat free growing media. It creates an environment that mimics that of peat, encouraging rooting and beneficial biology to explore it more vigorously. The enhanced CEC of AUGMENT (fulvic acids have a CEC of 1450meq/100 whereas even peat only has a CEC of 100-200meq/100) increases growing medias ability to hold on to nutrients and keep them available to plants, increased fertiliser usage is a common issue in peat free substrates.
A: The seaweed base is the backbone of AUGMENT, the 100% cold pressed Ascophyllum nodosum contains all the bio-active compounds and physiological triggers that stimulant increased plant rooting and natural plant responses to abiotic stress. These are then backed up by plant available L form amino acids providing the essential building blocks for these processes to take place. The active carbon in the form of humic and fulvic compounds act as a natural mineral chelator increasing the availability and uptake of both anions and cations, in its simplest form it increases nutrient use efficiency of nutrients applied with it. Finally these carbon compounds alongside the complex sugars are a great beneficial microbiome feed. AUGMENT is a true biological primer, priming the substrate growing environment for optimal root and biology growth.
Q: Are there specific crops or conditions where the formulation of AUGMENT has shown particularly outstanding results?
A: AUGMENT works great in all crops but has performed best as a fertigation additive in peat free growing media. It creates an environment that mimics that of peat, encouraging rooting and beneficial biology to explore it more vigorously. The enhanced CEC of AUGMENT (fulvic acids have a CEC of 1450meq/100 whereas even peat only has a CEC of 100-200meq/100) increases growing medias ability to hold on to nutrients and keep them available to plants, increased fertiliser usage is a common issue in peat free substrates.
2. Application and usage
Q: What is the recommended rate of application for AUGMENT, and does it vary significantly between different crops?
A: Application rate via fertigation is 200-750ml per 100L of stock solution dosed at 1:100 (1%). The rates are based on frequency of applications. Soft fruit and protected edible crops where crops are constantly fertigated then use the 200ml per 100L of stock rate. For infrequent fertigation use the higher 750ml per 100L of stock rate.
Q: How does AUGMENT integrate with standard fertigation systems, and are there compatibility concerns with other products?
A: AUGMENT fits in seamlessly with fertigation mixes, it is compatible with most fertigation fertiliser nutrients. This needs to be an easy to use product and application that isn’t another job or added application for a grower.
A: Application rate via fertigation is 200-750ml per 100L of stock solution dosed at 1:100 (1%). The rates are based on frequency of applications. Soft fruit and protected edible crops where crops are constantly fertigated then use the 200ml per 100L of stock rate. For infrequent fertigation use the higher 750ml per 100L of stock rate.
Q: How does AUGMENT integrate with standard fertigation systems, and are there compatibility concerns with other products?
A: AUGMENT fits in seamlessly with fertigation mixes, it is compatible with most fertigation fertiliser nutrients. This needs to be an easy to use product and application that isn’t another job or added application for a grower.
3. Benefits and results
Q: What measurable improvements in yield or plant health can growers expect when using AUGMENT?
A: The usual key indicators are increased rooting, increase root hair production and therefore increased interactions with growing media. The next key indicator is the increased efficiency of fertiliser inputs.
Q: Are there specific case studies or examples where growers have seen significant cost savings or yield increases after using this product?
A: The initial work and further studies have seen conservative decreases in fertiliser usage of 10-15% but work is being carried out to see if these can be decreased further. The aim being to see if we can reduce total fertiliser inputs and achieve the same yield/growth, this reduction in fertiliser should then see a decrease in EC and increase in beneficial biology activity in the root zone. But as with all things this is not a miracle cure, it is an integral part of a holistic fertiliser system.
A: The usual key indicators are increased rooting, increase root hair production and therefore increased interactions with growing media. The next key indicator is the increased efficiency of fertiliser inputs.
Q: Are there specific case studies or examples where growers have seen significant cost savings or yield increases after using this product?
A: The initial work and further studies have seen conservative decreases in fertiliser usage of 10-15% but work is being carried out to see if these can be decreased further. The aim being to see if we can reduce total fertiliser inputs and achieve the same yield/growth, this reduction in fertiliser should then see a decrease in EC and increase in beneficial biology activity in the root zone. But as with all things this is not a miracle cure, it is an integral part of a holistic fertiliser system.
4. Microbial interactions
Q: How does AUGMENT enhance microbial activity in the rhizosphere, and why is this important for nutrient uptake?
A: AUGMENT utilises a range of naturally occurring ingredients, all of which are also natural fungal and bacterial feeds. Also fulvic acids are great buffers for high salt environments, this can also increase mincrobial activity by reducing the burn effect of excessive fertiliser usage. High carbon environments are typical conducive to more diverse microbial ecosystems.
Q: Are there particular microbial strains that thrive best when AUGMENT is used?
A: AUGMENT is a strong fungal and bacterial feed, we generally find these types of fertigation additives feed a range of different microbes. This promotes a diverse ecosystem that fulfils a range of benefits to a plant.
A: AUGMENT utilises a range of naturally occurring ingredients, all of which are also natural fungal and bacterial feeds. Also fulvic acids are great buffers for high salt environments, this can also increase mincrobial activity by reducing the burn effect of excessive fertiliser usage. High carbon environments are typical conducive to more diverse microbial ecosystems.
Q: Are there particular microbial strains that thrive best when AUGMENT is used?
A: AUGMENT is a strong fungal and bacterial feed, we generally find these types of fertigation additives feed a range of different microbes. This promotes a diverse ecosystem that fulfils a range of benefits to a plant.
5. Technical support
Q: Are there any additional tools or products growers should use alongside AUGMENT to maximize its efficacy?
A: An EC meter is always a must, make sure to monitor EC levels in the water and substrate. A diverse range of plant nutrients is important, utilise a mixture of organic and highly plant available synthetic nutrients.
This can all then be offset and complemented with targeted foliar nutrients such as products from the Aiva Flex Technology Range.
A: An EC meter is always a must, make sure to monitor EC levels in the water and substrate. A diverse range of plant nutrients is important, utilise a mixture of organic and highly plant available synthetic nutrients.
This can all then be offset and complemented with targeted foliar nutrients such as products from the Aiva Flex Technology Range.
6. Market trends
Q: How does AUGMENT address the current challenges growers face, such as peat-free substrates or environmental sustainability goals?
A: AUGMENT makes peat free substrates easier to use as it increases nutrient availabilities, improves substrate nutrient holding capacity and encourage rooting. Mimicking the humic substances that you used to get for free in peat substrate but may not now depending on the ingredients used in your peat free mix. The environmental impact of AUGMENT should be great as our aim is to reduce total fertiliser inputs to grow the same crops.
Q: Where does AUGMENT fit in with the broader Aiva range of fertilisers, and what differentiates it from other similar products?
A: AUGMENT as we have already seen is aimed at improving performance in peat free substrates and improving nutrient use efficiencies. This targets the root applied nutrients, the other aiva products are more about targeted nutrition. With a feed the soil type holistic approach we look at a range of ways to feed a plant, that way we reduce the likelihood of deficiencies and increase overall plant health.
A: AUGMENT makes peat free substrates easier to use as it increases nutrient availabilities, improves substrate nutrient holding capacity and encourage rooting. Mimicking the humic substances that you used to get for free in peat substrate but may not now depending on the ingredients used in your peat free mix. The environmental impact of AUGMENT should be great as our aim is to reduce total fertiliser inputs to grow the same crops.
Q: Where does AUGMENT fit in with the broader Aiva range of fertilisers, and what differentiates it from other similar products?
A: AUGMENT as we have already seen is aimed at improving performance in peat free substrates and improving nutrient use efficiencies. This targets the root applied nutrients, the other aiva products are more about targeted nutrition. With a feed the soil type holistic approach we look at a range of ways to feed a plant, that way we reduce the likelihood of deficiencies and increase overall plant health.
7. User experience
Q: What feedback have you received from growers who have used AUGMENT? Any recurring themes or concerns?
A: All feedback has been good so far, seeing an increase in rooting and growth whilst reducing fertiliser inputs. We also have some using it in foliar feed applications. These are all elements a plant can utilise as a foliar application. Again increasing nutrient uptake and helping stimulate photosynthesis.
Q: Are there any common mistakes growers make when using AUGMENT, and how can these be avoided?
A: The biggest thing to remember that AUGMENT is a strong biological feed. Therefore, don’t leave mixed stock tanks ideally for more than 3-4 days. I know growers that do with few issues but it should still be avoided.
A: All feedback has been good so far, seeing an increase in rooting and growth whilst reducing fertiliser inputs. We also have some using it in foliar feed applications. These are all elements a plant can utilise as a foliar application. Again increasing nutrient uptake and helping stimulate photosynthesis.
Q: Are there any common mistakes growers make when using AUGMENT, and how can these be avoided?
A: The biggest thing to remember that AUGMENT is a strong biological feed. Therefore, don’t leave mixed stock tanks ideally for more than 3-4 days. I know growers that do with few issues but it should still be avoided.
Find out more
Contact us today to learn more about how the Aiva range, including Augment, Phoster, Callos, and Triad, can benefit your growing operations.
