PUT LIFE BACK INTO YOUR SOIL!

Pieter Burger, regional Marketing manager, Natal

 The purpose of this article is to remind you, our valued client, why you should invest in using Atlas’ fertilizer (and one can’t get away from the fact that it is indeed an investment). Before getting into the technical jargon, let’s look at the benefits (the bottom line) you will derive from investing in this product - in other words, the benefits designed into our product range:

• Higher yields

• More stable yields, especially in difficult seasons, such as very dry, wet or warm seasons

 • Better quality produce, such as a higher protein-, oil- and sugar content and an improved shelf life

 • Less use of chemicals due to better resistance towards diseases, insect- and environmental pressures

• The more effective use of applied applications

 What does this mean to you?

• More money in your pocket at the end of the season

• Peace of mind, knowing you did your best for your plants and the soil

• The knowledge that you are using a proven product, with comprehensive technical backup

The features and technology built into the Atlas product you invest in:

1. General description

 Atlas produces a product range which combines the best of both the chemical- and organic fertilizer concepts. We blend chemical fertilizer with an organic substance, in order to attain benefit from both these sources.

 Following is a brief description of the technical benefits you will derive by using Atlas’ product instead of conventional fertilizer products.

Using the Atlas product range results in improved soil; • chemistry • physics • biology

 A. Soil Chemistry

 South African soils are, due to our weather- and soil conditions, usually low in Carbon. Undisturbed soils usually has a C-content of approximately 2-3% (which decreases quickly when cultivated), compared to a desired C- content of about 5% for optimal soil micro-organism activity. The main benefit of C or organic material lies in its positive influence on micro organisms, resulting in a positively influence on the soil’s ability to supply nutrition to the plant roots (soil fertility) and the soil’s physical character (which I will discuss later).

Atlas’ products consist of up to 46% organic material, and therefore supplies the soil with sufficient C, with all its benefits. Approximately 25% of this organic material will be converted to organic acids, such as humic- and fulvic acids, in the composting or breakdown process of such material. This has the additional benefit of complexing or chelating with elements in the soil, keeping those elements available for plant uptake,while the soil has a lesser influence on such elements’ availability.

 Organic material will also tend to correct any imbalances in the soil, by means of binding elements in excess and releasing elements which are deficient. Thus, one will have a bigger margin for error on soils high in organic material, compared to soils low in organic material or C.

 Calcium + Magnesium: Calcium and Magnesium are two of the most important macro elements in plant nutrition and are often neglected in conventional fertilisation programmes. Atlas’ product range supplies both these elements in an available form to the plant each time it’s applied.

Micro-elements Zinc(Zn), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Manganese(Mn) and Boron(B) are just some of the micro elements supplied to plants in organic form. In this form these elements will be highly available to the plant roots, compared to chemically applied elements, which will normally be greatly influenced by soil conditions such as pH.

 The Carbon(C) to Nitrogen(N) ratio: This ratio has probably play the most important role in giving organic fertilizer its bad name, because of the fact an imbalanced ratio leads to a nitrogen negative period in the plant’s early development, which could lead to a decrease in eventual yield. In all Atlas’ products, this C:N ratio has been corrected, resulting in nutrients being readily available, as well as available for plant uptake over a longer period.

 Effect on pH:  Any fertilizer applied will result in a decrease in pH, some more than others. This has to be corrected by means of the application of lime. Due to the formulation of the Atlas product range, the pH of Atlas products are much higher than with any chemical fertilizer, and its effect on pH will therefore be much less.

 Sulphur (S): S is a macro-element which has been neglected for a long time by most fertilizer companies. In most grain crops S is required as much as phosphorus, and is hence very important. All Atlas products contain S in significant quantities.

 Silicon (Si) and Phosphorus (P): Some Atlas products contain Silicon, especially the mixtures formulated for the sugar cane- and maize farmers. Si has a positive effect on photosynthesis and seemingly increases the plant’s resistance to insect- and fungal attacks. Yet another reason to use our product!

B. Soil physical characteristics

 Atlas’ products will supply organic material to the soil, with the following resulting benefits: • An improved soil structure, which will result in; o better water penetration and retention o the soil will be less prone to erosion o better gas exchange o higher micro-organism activity o less resistance to root penetration o less formation of compaction layers o higher soil fertility.

 • Better nutrient retention will result in; o The improved availability of nutrients o less nutrient losses due to leaching and volitisation o nutrients are available for plant uptake over longer periods, with less soil fixation.

C. Soil Biology

One of the most important reasons for using Atlas’ products is the positive effect our products have on the microbial activity in the soil, hence the caption “Put life back into your soil”. We often detect earthworm activity in soils where one would never have found them before, after mere usage of Atlas over a short period.

This is an indication that the soil’s eco system is starting to function properly again. There are a whole legion of reasons why a better and bigger population of organisms in the soil increases soil fertility. Mentioning only a few: • Better soil structure through the formation of soil aggregates by microbe exudates (glomalin) • Improved availability of nutrients, therefore the more effective use of nutrients (all nutrients need micro-organisms to make them available to the plant). Nutrients will also be “loosened” that have been tied up in the soil, such as phosphates and potassium. Micro-organisms in the soil act as the bridge between the soil and the plant root. • A build-up of carbon in the soil, with benefits already mentioned • The breakdown of organic material and the release of nutrients to the plant • The formation of organic acids in the soil following the breakdown of organic material • Increased resistance to pathogens and parasites

In short: Atlas’ approach to nutrition – proven over 46 years, resulting in our unique product range - represents a sustainable investment in your soil which will not only benefit you, our valued client, in the short- and medium term, but will also enable your children to enjoy a well-looked after inheritance after our time has passed.