Australian farmers struggling to manage crops in extreme weather are encouraged to follow the lead of farmers around the world and increase anti-stress preventatives to safeguard crops and livelihoods.
ProdOz crop science technologist Zen Kynigos said there had been growing national demand for anti-stress fertiliser Indra as extreme conditions, such as Far North Queensland's summer floods, forced farmers to ramp up risk management strategies to mitigate yield and quality loss.
The new-generation fertiliser was developed by Levity Crop Science, a global industry pioneer of agricultural products designed to improve production, reduce waste and enhance soils. Led by world-renowned plant physiologist Dr David Marks, Levity's research team focuses on abiotic stress, the key limiting factor in Southern Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa for yield and quality, due to weather.
"Indra was developed so farmers around the world can continue growing when hit by stressful growing conditions such as floods, droughts, strong winds, and heatwaves. It is widely used in Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States of America where it has significantly helped reduce crop loss. Over the past three years, we've also seen a rise in demand in Australia," Mr Kynigos said.
"In tough Australian climatic conditions, Indra can be a lifesaver for a variety of crops such as vegies, orchards, and broadacre. It protects crops from key stress factors such as UV light, salinity and drought, and heat and cold which causes crops to produce toxins that damage cells and reduce quality.
"A farmer's job is difficult enough without the weather which is unable to be controlled or predicted. Eighty per cent of global yield loss can be directly attributed to weather stress causing abiotic stress in plants," he said.
Australian orchard crops such as mangoes in the Northern Territory, avocados in Queensland and Western Australia, and cherries in Tasmania and New South Wales were particularly susceptible to variable weather-related stress from excessive heat, rain, cyclones, and floods causing fruits and flowers to abort and impacting yield.
Aiding recovery after challenging events
"There's not a plant in Australia unaffected by varying amounts of stress any time of the year. Currently waterlogging is an issue for Far North Queensland growers following the recent floods, however, heavy rain can affect everything from broadacre crops to veggies and berries throughout the year.
"Indra specifically aids recovery from waterlogging by stimulating the production of cell wall protectants and antioxidants and balancing the supply of nutrients."
He said heatwaves could damage plants by affecting growth, photosynthesis, and water balance, leading to pest and disease susceptibility. As plants lose water through transpiration, buds, and flowers could drop to conserve energy.
"Indra can be used ahead of a weather event (where they can be predicted), during the event to mitigate damage, or after the event for recovery. However, for best results, farmers should incorporate it into programs and use it monthly as a risk management strategy for adverse weather and for continuous results."
At Bothwell, Tasmania, agronomist Rob Wilson of Nutrien Ag Solutions said he was pleasantly surprised with Indra's results in a potato crop following a 60mm rain event over three or four hours in January.
"The soil was waterlogged and the potatoes were inundated for a few days. The soil was wet for three or four weeks. After growing potatoes for some 40 years, I expected to end up with a lot of rotten tubers. However, the crop survived extremely well, and we've had no rotten tubers six weeks later.
"The only thing I did differently was apply Inda once a month so I have to put the results down to that," he said.
Mr Kynigos said Indra worked by promoting the plant's antioxidant production to safeguard crops from quality and yield loss, reducing ethylene and supporting strong cell walls. A key benefit was its low application rate of approximately $20 per hectare.
He said with winter coming, growers in southern states were encouraged to review their programs and be prepared to offset impacts from rain and frost.
For more information:
Zen Kynigos
ProdOz International
+61 467 628493