Growing Sweet Success: 3 Key Benefits Biologicals Deliver to Strawberry Crops

How Microbes Help Strawberry Farmers Work Smarter, Not Harder

As U.S. strawberry farmers begin to lay tarp and prepare for the next growing season, many will soon make input and other growing decisions that will impact the year’s crops. While many challenges are outside of a grower’s control, such as changing government regulations, unpredictable weather patterns and rising input prices, there are some choices that can be made to set strawberry growers up for success.

The use of biologicals, made up of specific strains of beneficial microbes, is one of those choices. Strawberry farmers are making the decision to use agricultural biologicals on their farm because of the agronomic, environmental and financial benefits they bring throughout the season.

Microbes bring the following 3 key benefits:

• Microbes Enhance Crop Vigor and Resilience
• Microbes Strengthen Other Inputs
• Microbes Improve Soil Structure and Quality

1. Microbes Enhance Crop Vigor and Resilience

Farmers work so hard to account for every variable, but some factors are simply out of their control. Extreme drought, flooding, erosion, and other environmental conditions all negatively impact fruit marketability. With unpredictable weather patterns and extreme climate events on the rise, it’s more important than ever to find ways to increase plant vigor and resilience.

When formulated with the right microbial strains, agricultural biologicals are proven to support strawberry crop vigor and help them withstand the potential lack of resources in the future, such as nutrient or water deficiencies.

Biologicals can help bolster strawberry crop vigor by:

• Promoting early root growth
• Increasing root mass
• Enhancing nutrient and water uptake

In addition to making crops more resilient to environmental stressors, biologicals also help to stabilize and increase the quality of the soil in which they grow.

2. Microbes Improve Soil Structure

Farmers work so hard to do what’s right for their land and improve the quality of the soil that they farm. Yet, there are several factors out of farmers’ control that can disrupt soil and make it less hospitable to crops.

Overly saturated soil caused by flooding, and the dry conditions caused by drought contribute to reduced soil quality for strawberry farms across the country. Strawberry growers are commonly dealing with soil that is less able to properly filter and retain water, is prone to erosion, and is depleted of essential nutrients.

Dry soil is especially detrimental to strawberries. Strawberries are a crop that require more water than many others and are also highly sensitive to salinity levels; frequent irrigation is often needed to prevent the accumulation of salt in the root zone.

Microbes are proven to improve soil structure by:

• Improving water filtration and retention
• Reducing erosion
• Increasing access to nutrients in the soil

Fortunately, microbial-based biologicals also complement the use of existing agricultural inputs, by helping to unlock several key benefits.

3. Microbes Strengthen Other Inputs

Farmers work so hard to choose agricultural inputs that they believe will drive better crop performance. With skyrocketing fertilizer prices and ongoing disruptions to the supply chain, growers need to know that they are getting the most out of every dollar spent on inputs.

Some biologicals play well alongside other inputs and are proven to increase the availability and uptake of water and nutrients in the soil from previous and future applications.

READ MORE: UNLOCK UNUSED NUTRIENTS IN YOUR SOIL WITH BIOLOGICALS

Boost Yields & ROI This Season With Locus AG’s Biologicals

Locus AG utilizes superior strains of microbes in their specialty line of biological products.

Rhizolizer® Duo for Berries & Melons is a wettable powder biological product that goes directly into existing irrigation (no additional equipment necessary). Rhizolizer® Duo helps strawberries develop strong roots and establish a proper foundation to grow throughout the season.  

By unlocking greater access to nutrients, more robust root systems, and increased plant vigor, it’s not surprising that Locus AG biologicals are also proven to boost crop yields and grower ROI.  

Strawberry growers aren’t alone in facing the challenges that come with their line of business. Locus AG biologicals can help to manage and overcome these issues, while contributing to greater long-term agronomic, environmental and economic benefits.