How to Improve Root Health in Organic Crops for Higher Yields in Grapes, Kiwifruit, and Pastures
When it comes to growing high-yielding, healthy organic crops, root health is critical—but often overlooked. While above-ground growth and fruit production tend to attract the most attention, the true foundation of a productive plant starts below the surface.
Healthy roots are fundamental to plant success. They act as the plant’s lifeline, absorbing essential water and nutrients and anchoring the plant firmly in the soil. For organic farmers, who don’t rely on synthetic fertilisers or pesticides, maintaining strong root systems is even more important. That’s because healthy roots enable plants to:
- Access Nutrients More Effectively: Strong roots increase a plant’s ability to absorb and utilise the nutrients available in the soil, even when external inputs are limited.
- Withstand Environmental Stress: A robust root system helps plants survive droughts, resist pests, and recover more quickly from environmental challenges.
- Build Disease Resistance: By promoting beneficial microorganisms in the soil, healthy roots create a natural barrier against soil-borne diseases and pests.
Without strong roots, organic crops struggle to reach their full potential.
The Science Behind Root Health and Crop Performance
Roots form a vast underground network that supports water and nutrient uptake, communicates with other plants, and interacts with beneficial soil microbes. When roots are healthy, they form symbiotic relationships with these microbes, exchanging nutrients and supporting one another’s growth.
The health of this underground network directly affects the crop’s ability to thrive. Healthy roots are:
- More Efficient at Nutrient Uptake: Well-developed root systems with a larger surface area can access more nutrients from the soil.
- Better at Water Absorption: Deep roots are able to reach moisture in lower soil layers, making crops more drought resistant.
- Key to Plant Immunity: Roots interact with beneficial fungi and bacteria in the soil to create a natural defence barrier, helping prevent diseases and soil-borne pests from attacking.
Crop-Specific Benefits: Grapes, Kiwifruit, and Pastures
Healthy roots make a noticeable difference in a wide range of crops. Let’s look at some specific examples:
- Grapes: Grapevines are particularly sensitive to soil-borne pests like nematodes, which attack their root systems and stunt growth. Strong roots help form a natural barrier, reducing pest pressure and improving vine longevity. This translates to better fruit set, increased grape size, and more consistent yields.
- Kiwifruit: The secret to a strong kiwifruit vine is a resilient root system that can support heavy fruit loads and resist soil-borne diseases. With a well-developed root mass, kiwifruit vines can access more nutrients and water, leading to larger, higher-quality fruit and fewer disease issues.
- Pastures: Root health is just as critical for pastures as it is for fruit crops. University trials have shown that increasing clover root mass can lead to denser swards, increased forage production, and better persistence. A healthier root system means a pasture that can withstand grazing pressure, recover quickly, and produce more valuable feed for livestock.
Tips for Improving Root Health in Organic Crops
Supporting root health isn’t difficult, but it does require a strategic approach. Here are some tips for organic farmers looking to get the best out of their crops:
- Start with the Right Soil Amendments: Organic farmers should choose soil amendments that support root growth and microbial health naturally, without relying on synthetic chemicals.
- Promote Beneficial Microbes: Encouraging the growth of beneficial fungi and bacteria in your soil is key to supporting root health. Consider using inputs that include chitin or other natural biostimulants to boost these populations.
- Avoid Soil Compaction: Compacted soils limit root growth and reduce the soil’s ability to retain water and nutrients. Implement practices like reduced tillage, cover cropping, and strategic grazing to keep your soil loose and aerated.
- Maintain Soil pH: Balanced soil pH ensures that nutrients are readily available to your plants. Regular soil testing and the use of organic amendments can help maintain the right pH balance for optimal root health.
A Proven Solution for Healthy Roots
For farmers looking for a certified organic solution to promote strong root growth and improve plant development, Flamingro™ offers a proven option. Developed by Rew Enterprises Ltd and backed by over 30 years of research, Flamingro™ is a chitin-based biostimulant designed to naturally enhance root health.
Chitin, the active ingredient in Flamingro™, works by:
- Inducing Natural Defence Mechanisms: Chitin enhances the plant’s own defences, making it more resistant to soil-borne pathogens.
- Increasing Endophyte Populations: Endophytes are beneficial fungi and bacteria that live within plant roots and help suppress disease while promoting root and plant growth.
- Improving Nutrient Uptake: Chitin acts as a chelator, improving the soil’s ability to retain and deliver nutrients to plant roots.
In trials conducted at New Zealand universities, Flamingro™ increased clover root mass and shoot growth by 26%, making it an ideal solution for farmers looking to boost their pasture productivity. This unique biostimulant works by enhancing the plant’s natural defence mechanisms and promoting beneficial microbial activity in the soil.
Practical Application and Real-World Results
Flamingro™ is simple to apply and integrates seamlessly into organic farming practices. It has been used successfully in grape vineyards, kiwifruit orchards, and pastures across New Zealand, with growers seeing noticeable improvements in root health, plant vigour, and yield.
For example, in Californian vineyards, an early formulation of Flamingro™ replaced chemical nematicides, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. Now, Flamingro™ is available in a dry formulation with a higher chitin content, making it even more effective at promoting strong, healthy roots.
Ready to See the Difference Healthy Roots Can Make?
Healthy roots are the foundation of any successful organic crop. By using a proven biostimulant like Flamingro™, you can support natural plant health, boost yields, and protect your crops from soil-borne threats.
Curious to learn more?
Contact us today to see how Flamingro™ can transform your farm’s root health and productivity.
