The time is now: Boost soil health in your fields and optimise early crop nutrition in newly growing crops

Have you actively supported your soil and crop health this Spring? With one simple change, you could be seeing the benefits. 

Plants cannot function and grow efficiently without the assistance of beneficial soil bacteria and fungi, aka micro-organisms. A fish hydrolysate, like Sea2Soil - which was the UK’s first and longest established, research-backed product - provides a highly nutritious food source for those micro-organisms, which further convert nutrients into a form that is readily available to the plant. Using a natural soil improver is an accessible and inclusive way to boost your soil and crop health, with the product being easy to apply in organic, regenerative or conventional farming systems, to help boost and replenish the nutrient content in the soil, promoting plant health and optimal growth.

And you’re not too late to try it out this Spring with Sea2Soil. 

Sea2Soil specifically works to feed populations of vital soil micro-organisms. The micro-organisms release nutrients locked within the soil, which feed your crop plants. This can take time, depending on the soil conditions (temperature, moisture) over the course of the crop’s life. Therefore, in many spring-sown crops like potatoes, maize, pulses and in grass or herbal leys, it is better to apply the product while the crop is young and first establishing. This gives as much of an advantage as possible when the crop really needs it, and also benefits the soil health.

In the latest TerraFarmer and Sea2Soil trials taking place around England and Wales, grassland and forage crops have both revealed positive results.

TerraFarmer’s Agronomist and Consultant, Hugo Ellis, said: “We have seen an improvement in organic bean crops in Cornwall using Sea2Soil in combination with molasses last year, where we found an increase in late season brix testing (4 vs 6) for sugar content and improved earthworm counts in treated areas. We also found a large increase in biomass yield and grain yield with Sea2Soil and molasseses; around a 30% increase vs the non-Sea2Soil control treatment.”

TerraFarmer has also received positive feedback this spring from growers about tank compatibility and ease of spraying using Sea2Soil. 

Optimal application timings ‘quick guide’ – spring crops

Apply Sea2Soil early in the crop’s life, to get the soil micro-organisms going as soon as possible for the benefit of young, fast-growing spring crops with a large and often more rapid nutrient requirement. Sea2Soil is easy to apply and is compatible with many other plant protection products for added convenience. It is recommended to spray Sea2Soil in 100-200 L/ha of water.

Recommended use rates:

Spring cereals, oilseed rape - Spray 10 L/ha pre-emergence, or as soon after drilling as possible, then follow up with 5 or 10L/ha before stem elongation.

Potatoes, pulses (peas, beans), maize, field vegetables - Spray 10 L/ha (soil applied) pre-emergence, or as soon after drilling as possible, then follow up with up to 10 L/ha in late spring.

Grassland leys, herbal leys - Spray 10 L/ha just before the start of the active sporing growth period and follow up with a repeat application in May. Grazing interval restrictions apply – take grazing stock out of the treated area for 21 days before returning or before crops/herbage are harvested.

Foliar application - 5-10 L/ha (multiple applications can be made in the season; 3-6 times a year)

Direct soil application - 10-20 L/ha

Recommended dilution - 1:250

Sea2Soil is pre-screened (filtered) to 100 μm but may contain larger particles. Screening is recommended prior to application through fine filters, and thoroughly clean any filters within your equipment after each use.

*Always seek advice from your agronomist before using and applying Sea2Soil, and for use in organic production. Not to be applied to any edible parts of crops. If applied to grassland, a grazing interval period of 21 days is required before grazing animals can return.

Versatile and easy to use, no matter how you farm

Sea2Soil can be applied (after dilution) in a number of different ways: to the soil, as a foliar spray or in an irrigation system. When tank-mixed with herbicides in foliar applications, the fish oil content in Sea2Soil helps act as a natural surfactant, which can enhance spraying performance.

With direct to soil application, common methods include: drill-mounted liquid fertiliser applicator at establishment (in spring or autumn) and fertiliser streamers, direct to soil

Foliar application methods include using a standard crop sprayer, applying with other foliar applications, and using plant protection products.

Good tank mix compatibility

Sea2Soil is compatible with a wide range of other products, including fungicides, herbicides, and PGRs. Discover the latest, full details on compatibility testing, which are updated frequently. It is advisable to complete a ‘bucket test’ for compatibility and test on a small area before mixing in the sprayer tank.

Product composition provides outstanding nutrition for spring crops

Sea2Soil typically provides the following nutrients per application;

• Amino acid content: 25-30%
• Fatty acid content: 5-8%
• Dry matter content: 45-50%
• pH: 3.5-4.5
• Macronutrients: N (5%), P (0.7%), K (0.6%), C (27%), Ca (0.6%), S (0.4%), Mg (0.1%)
• Micronutrients: B (trace), Cl (8850ppm), Co (trace), Cu (4ppm), Fe (190ppm), Mn (4ppm), Mo (0.1ppm), Na (5630ppm), Ni (trace), Se (1ppm), Si (trace), Zn (60ppm)

*Analysis may vary due to organic nature of the product

The importance of amino acids

Amino acids naturally occur in two forms: L- and D-, and fish hydrolysates contain both forms. Both play a key role in soil and plant health L- amino acids can be taken up by the plant directly and are used for protein synthesis, whereas D- amino acids are used by soil bacteria to build cell walls, which is crucial to soil health.  

Each amino acid has specific functions in plant metabolism, growth and stress response. A balanced supply of essential amino acids is crucial for optimal crop growth and development. While plants can synthesise some amino acids on their own, they often require a supply of essential amino acids from external sources. They also play important roles in the regulation of plant growth and development.

And, Sea2Soil contains all 20 amino acids needed for protein synthesis:

*Analysis may vary due to the organic nature of the product