Motor Oil Info

The growth plot study details the process from building the growth plots and planting seeds and plants to fertilization rates and methods. Tables, photos and charts document harvest comparisons for each of the crops.

The plot receiving the AGGRAND fertilization program realized increased vegetable yields over the leading inorganic chemical fertilizer, and in some cases produced larger crops. In addition, after one growing season, the soil had more nutrients remaining when compared to the other two plots. Longer term work will be conducted to determine soil fertility trends. Anyone interested in a copy, please email me for it.

Official results of the inaugural AGGRAND Growth Plot Experiment are now available in the AGGRAND Vegetable Productivity Study  (G2851). “The idea was to perform an on-site experiment to determine if the AGGRAND fertilization program would outperform a leading inorganic chemical fertilizer in a home garden application,” said Richard Holappa, AGGRAND research and development manager.

The new document provides detailed technical information for comparison between AGGRAND fertilizers and an inorganic chemical fertilizer. “The AGGRAND fertilization program outperformed the plots fertilized with the leading inorganic chemical fertilizer and the control plots where only water was applied,” said Holappa. The growth plot study gives empirical data on four vegetables- tomatoes, green beans, potatoes and corn.

Brussels sprouts look like tiny cabbages, 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter when ripe. Unlike cabbages, they grow in whorls around a 3 to 4 foot tall main stem, which can yield dozens of mature sprouts over of the season. Brussels sprouts mature about 4 months from seed, and should be planted so that they can be picked after the first frosts. They are very frost tolerant, and can be picked through December in most areas, and right through the winter in the south.

Pick firm, well formed sprouts starting at the bottom of the main stem. The upper sprouts will enlarge and ripen continuously under a canopy of kale like leaves. Brussels sprouts like an irrigated fertile soil with a pH above 6.

Fertilize with AGGRAND Natural Liquid Lime and Natural Liquid Fertilizer 4-3-3 when the first true leaves appear, at the rate of 3 ounces per gallon of water per 10 foot row. Repeat every two weeks until sprouts begin to form, continuing with liquid fertilizer biweekly until cool weather slows production.

The Chicago Tribune reports, this isn’t the first bad news for cilantro. In March of last year, the FDA issued a guidance letter to the industry to “take action to enhance” the safety of cilantro, indicating Salmonella has been cited 28 times since 2004 in cilantro. The cilantro results have captured the attention of both regulators and industry leaders, according to the Tribune article.

“I can assure you that some of these will be followed up,” said Ronald Roy, a food safety specialist at the FDA. “When we have a clustering of non-permitted residues around a certain (crop) or with a certain grower, then we investigate to find the cause and correct the specific problem so that it doesn’t continue.

The Chicago Tribune reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture found more than 30 unapproved pesticides on cilantro samples. At least 34 unapproved pesticides showed up on cilantro samples analyzed by the USDA as part of the agency’s routine testing of a rotating selection of produce. Cilantro was the first fresh herb to be tested in the 20 year old program, according to the article.

“We are not really sure why the cilantro came up with these residues,” said Chris Pappas, a chemist who oversees the Virginia based USDA pesticide testing, “Researchers suspect growers may have confused guide lines for cilantro and flat leaf parsley, for which more pesticides are approved.”

Lack of attention to soil chemical imbalance leads to conditions that reduce the availability of nutrients. For example, continued applications of dolomite lime to acidic soil leads to the buildup of soil magnesium levels. Calcium flocculates the soil (loosens the soil by forming a glue in conjunction with humus polysaccharides, and organic acid paste together the fine clay fraction into stable soil aggregates ), and the farmer enjoys the beneficial effects until the magnesium level reaches 14 or 15% (depending on what method of analysis is used).

The soil then turns into a solid mass, reducing its capability of holding oxygen and other nutrients (magnesium also becomes unavailable at this point). Crops look chlorotic and have difficulty getting established, and increased levels of fertilizer are necessary to produce a crop.

AGGRAND Natural Wildlife Food Plot Formula Fertilizer also enriches the soil with increased nitrogen levels for greater soil microbial populations and better nutrient  uptake in crops for healthier, more resilient plants. Other benefits of this formula include:

Proper sulfur levels provide high levels of protein in seed crops, forages and legumes, producing crops animals prefer.

Potassium enables efficient use of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, regulates plant tissues and fluids and is a prime requirement in chlorophyll construction, resulting in more of the large, nutrient rich plants that animals prefer.

Phosphorus is important in flower, seed and fruit development, essential for vigorous growth of plant reproductive parts and facilitates efficient energy storage and transfer. Plants produce more seeds and fruit, providing more for wildlife to eat and allowing plants to reseed themselves for better established stands of vegetation.

AGGRAND Natural Wildlife Food Plot Formula Fertilizer contains organic materials including fish, bloodmeal and Norwegian Kelp. Organic materials feed the natural soil biology.

Often referred to as the “livestock of the soil,” this army of soil life breaks down the components of AGGRAND Food Plot Formula into plant available nutrients. Their steady release ensures nutrients remain in the soil to support growing plants. AGGRAND Natural Wildlife Food Plot Formula is manufactured from the finest natural ingredients available, including fish, bloodmeal, Norwegian kelp, Sulfate of Potash and a host of other essential natural ingredients for a truly excellent all purpose product.

Just like humans, animals are healthier and feel better when they eat nutrient rich foods. Also like humans, wild animals choose the best food source available, and that means higher protein levels over others. That’s what make food plots so powerful. Proper seed selection, along with effective soil preparation, greatly increases protein levels over natural forage.

AGGRAND Natural Wildlife Food Plot Formula boost nutrient levels, including protein, and provides the primary, secondary and micro nutrients plants need to flourish. Improved habitat and easy access to succulent, nutrient rich food attracts more wild game and helps grow larger healthier animals.

A properly obtained soil sample and resulting analysis are key steps in understanding the nutrient needs of any field. Once the analysis is complete, AGGRAND can provides product, dilution and application method recommendations, along with timing of those applications specific to the geographic region of interest.

There are times when fertilizer applications alone are not enough to create a naturally balanced soil. In these instances, AGGRAND also may recommend the incorporation of natural soil amendments such as lime, gypsum, manure and other minerals.