Microbial soil treatment with ash supplementation for improved carrot shelf life and disease resistance
Bioelements' Crop Rotation microbial product combined with tree ash and sunflower ash as a soil treatment to enhance disease resistance, yield, and shelf life in carrots. Validated through UK field trials with NIAB and British Growers, building on prior Russian studies showing significant reduction in post-harvest spoilage.
Overview
Bioelements' Crop Rotation is a complex microbial product combining bacteria and fungi designed to establish a beneficial soil microbiome, particularly effective in soils with high pesticide residues. This solution proposes combining Crop Rotation with tree ash and sunflower ash to enhance disease resistance and maximize shelf life in carrots, while also potentially improving yield and nutritional quality. The approach addresses critical post-harvest losses in root vegetables by leveraging the synergistic effects of biological soil treatments and mineral supplementation.
Technical specifications
- Crop Rotation product: A multi-component microbial mix containing bacteria and fungi that creates a beneficial soil microbiome
- Ash supplementation: Tree ash and sunflower ash providing readily available microelements to crops, enhanced by the presence of biological products
- Application method: Soil treatment applied at optimal timing to recover soil health before carrot cultivation
- Target crops: Carrots and other root vegetables (Apiaceae family), which benefit from extended contact with treated soil
- Combined benefits: Improved disease resistance, enhanced shelf life during winter storage, potential yield increases, and improved crop quality
Technology readiness level
The Crop Rotation product has been previously validated in a 2018 Russian field study on carrots, where treated samples showed 100% unspoilage during winter storage compared to 30% spoilage in control samples. The 2021 UK field trials with NIAB and British Growers represent the next validation stage, incorporating ash treatments alongside the core microbial product. Trials are scheduled from May through October 2021, with results to be presented at the Carrot and other Apiaceae International Symposium in York. This validation phase will provide comparative data against multiple British Grower trial products from various international companies.
About Bioelements Limited
Bioelements Limited is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing and manufacturing microbial-based products for organic and conventional farming. The company creates innovative solutions, including biostimulants, bedding activators, and nutritional additives, by utilizing antagonistic microorganisms to support plant, soil, and animal health. Their technology focuses on enhancing soil fertility, managing farm waste, and improving livestock welfare by reducing ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions. By formulating multi-component products that exploit bacterial and fungal synergy, Bioelements aims to increase agricultural yields, control pests and diseases, and provide more sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical-based agricultural inputs.
These advancements are significant for farmers and the agricultural industry, as they help address increasing regulatory pressures regarding environmental impact and air quality while simultaneously improving farm productivity and profitability. The company’s solutions have been applied to various sectors, including poultry, pig, and cattle farming, with trials demonstrating substantial reductions in animal mortality and improvements in growth and production metrics. Through ongoing research and development, often in collaboration with international scientific teams, Bioelements continues to explore new applications such as honey bee immunity, biofungicides, and waste-to-feed technology, supporting a transition toward more environmentally friendly and efficient agricultural practices.
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