Method
Staff at Grass Roots Garden Center & Gifts created a raised bed vegetable garden display, using two stock tanks and a cattle panel bent between them to make a trellis. They did a simple experiment to see the efficacy of the plant probiotic, SoilCare, which they carry in their store.
One stock tank was treated and the other was left as a control. The SoilCare application was two-fold:
- One oz. of SoilCare was diluted in enough water to moisten the soil in one bed. It was applied once, immediately after garden starts were planted.
- In addition to garden starts, the beds were planted with radish and bean seeds. Seeds were treated by soaking them in a solution of 2 mL SoilCare in 1/2 cup water for the following times before being placed directly into the ground:
- Radish seeds- 30 minutes
- Bean seeds- 3 hours
There were no additional product applications after the first treatment.
Results
The most noticeable difference between the treated and control tank was in foliage color. The plants in the treated tank grew a deep green, while the control tank had light green foliage.
Before and after photos were taken 63 days apart.
Drag the circle to see the difference in the photos below
Dark Green Foliage and Plant Health
Chlorophyll Content:
- Dark green leaves typically contain more chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis. Higher chlorophyll levels allow the plant to absorb more sunlight and produce energy more efficiently, which is crucial for growth and overall health.
Nutrient Availability:
- A dark green color often indicates that the plant is receiving adequate nutrients, especially nitrogen, which is essential for chlorophyll production. Nitrogen is a key component of amino acids, proteins, and other important molecules in plants, making it vital for healthy growth.
Disease Resistance:
- Healthy plants with dark green leaves are usually more resistant to diseases and pests. Robust chlorophyll levels help the plant maintain strong cellular structures and produce defensive compounds, making it less susceptible to infections or infestations.
The staff was impressed that one SoilCare microbe treatment had such a profound effect on vegetable foliage. The raised bed was shown to customers as a selling tool for the SoilCare product, and resulted in many sales.
