Agrizest helps plants and livestock express their full genetic potential including resisting environmental, pest and disease damage. The product acts by strengthening the innate repair, growth, defence and trophic system. Agrizest is based on cell signalling technology.
- The product can be used in both organic and conventional farms.
- Agrizest is listed with OMRI for use in organic production.
- Agrizest treatment delivers broad spectrum benefits, is environmentally benign and non toxic.
- Agrizest is completely safe to use around children and animals.
- There is no need for any protective clothing or equipment.
The technology behind Agrizest
An Invention? or is it Mimicry of Nature’s Own Technologies?
Nathan Balasingham M Hort Sc (Hons.1.)
The knowledge wave generated by the Human Genome Project (1) is resulting in amazing technologies which will support intensive production while reducing our dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
One of the greatest scientific developments borne of the Genome Project was the discovery of membrane-bound receptors that can recognise messenger molecules.
The release of messenger molecules by one organism may elicit a response in another organism causing the production of molecules that mimic, inhibit or counteract the other organism’s messenger molecules (3).
The knowledge of the mechanisms by which microorganisms, plants and animals respond to each other (3)and the environment (4), and defend against pathogens and pests (5) is enabling the invention of bionutrients which will support the repair and growth system and strengthen the innate defence system of plants.
A classic example of this innate defence mechanism is the shot hole disease in stone fruit. The fungus’ (Wilsonomyces carpophilus) messenger molecules are picked up by receptors on the stone fruit leaf cell membrane. The receptor signals the release of hormones that trigger the genes to manufacture biochemicals which kill off the cells surrounding the fungus. The dead cells that contain the fungus drop off leaving the ‘shot hole’ symptoms. The plant remains free of disease.
Mimicking pest or pathogen attack and environmental stress with nonspecific elicitors (which trigger growth or defense) and response molecules is one of the innovative strategies used in designing the bionutrient, Agrizest. The product acts by strengthening the innate defence, repair and growth system. This can be proven by applying Agrizest to plants that are recognised as hardy plants and observing the plant’s own ‘hyperactive’ responses.
Marigolds have a very well developed repair, growth and defence system and are able to successfully grow under a range of stress conditions. Application of Agrizest result in slow yellowing of the lower leaves and subsequent fall of the mature leaf. This indicates that the plant’s innate hormones, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, ethylene and other growth factors have been elevated to accelerate the plants genetically managed growth, maturity and senescence.
At the plant’s apex the ‘witches broom’ symptom (the same symptom as applying high dose of growth hormones) indicates that the growth system has been over stimulated. When applied correctly, to plants that do not have this highly developed repair, growth and defence system and require additional support , Agrizest will boost the plants innate systems resulting in improved resistance, recovery and, ultimately, returns.
The knowledge that a range of organic messenger molecules influence the defence, repair and growth mechanisms supports the assertion that “organic” plant, animal, marine and microbial extracts (that contain messenger molecules) can deliver a range of benefits. This knowledge has facilitated a holistic approach when designing the new agricultural bionutrient Agrizest.
How Agrizest performs in controlled tests
Grape vine infested with blister mite. This Pinot Noir and Viognier vineyard was split into blocks.
Rows were treated with Agrizest® and compared with the control rows which received sulphur + fish nutrient + seaweed sprays.
Total Number of Leaf Spots Due to Blister Mite Damage
Control 79
Agrizest 44
% Difference
Viognier 44.3% less
(Results for Viognier only as Pinot Noir rows were relatively free of mite infestation)
Plants treated with Sulphur,
fish nutrient and seaweed.
Plants treated with Agrizest
Leaf Width Index
Viognier
Control 7.0
Agrizest 7.6
% difference 8.6%
Pinot Noir
Control 8.9
Agrizest 9.1
% difference 2.2%
Brix Level
Viognier
Control 19.8
Agrizest 21.2
% difference 7.1%
Pinot Noir
Control 20.0
Agrizest 20.7
% difference 3.5%
There is a larger growth benefit between treatments in the mite infested Viognier variety compared to the Pinot Noir (which was relatively free of mites).
Compared to the conventional (pesticide plus foliar nutrients) treated ‘control’ the Agrizest leaves were larger.
The combined effect of repair and growth stimulation by the product resulted in treated plants having larger leaves than the control plants.
Agrizest improved the sugar levels (Brix) in the berries, as well as enhancing the quality of grapes at harvest.
CONCLUSION
Agrizest was able to suppress pests, repair damage, stimulate growth and enhance quality in this vineyard.
New generation bionutrient and technology based agricultural compounds, such as Agrizest suppress pests and diseases, induce pest and disease resistance, accelerate wound and tissue repair, induce environmental stress resistance, enhance growth, yield and quality, and are capable of delivering a wide range of benefits.
For more information contact Nathan Balasingham on +64-9-238 3893
References.
1. An Overview of the Human Genome Project The National Human Genome Research Institute
Last Reviewed: May 2005
http://www.genome.gov/12011238
2. Joël Bockaert1 and Jean Philippe Pin
Molecular tinkering of G protein-coupled receptors: an evolutionary success
The EMBO Journal Vol. 18, pp. 1723-1729, 1999
3. Maria J Harrison and Ian T Baldwin
Ploy and counter-ploy in the biotic interactions of plants
Editorial overview
Current Opinion in Plant Biology 2004, 7:353–355
4. Viswanathan Chinnusamy, Karen Schumaker and Jian-Kang Zhu
Molecular genetic perspective on cross-talk and specificity in abiotic stress signalling in plants. Journal of Experimental Botany, 2004 Vol,55 No. 395 pp 225-236
5. International Joint Workshop on PR-Proteins and Induced ResistanceDenmark, May 5-9, 2004 http://pr-ir2004.risoe.dk/AbstractBook.pdf
6. Bernard Fritig,
Oligosaccharides signaling in plant defense responses
Advanced Theoretical Course on
Signals Involved in Plant-Microbe Interactions
Goniadz 2002, 08 – 11.05.
7. Carmen Castresana,
Oxylipins signalling in plant defence
Advanced Theoretical Course on
Signals Involved in Plant-Microbe Interactions
Goniadz 2002, 08 – 11.05.