Soil Aggregation and Root Health: Crucial to Strawberry Quality

In order for strawberries to produce more marketable yields, the roots must have access to ample moisture content in the soil. Surprising to many growers is the fact that the availability of moisture to roots is as much a function of soil structure as it is of total water received. In soil adversely affected by tillage, compaction, and surface crusting, precipitation or irrigation simply runs off or pools and evaporates. One reason is the lack of soil aggregates.

Aggregates—tiny soil structures that have spaces between them—make the ground more accepting of water. In fact, they transmit that moisture to depth, with roots following it downward. This makes plants more tolerant to drought conditions.

Crops grown on properly managed acreage thrive not only because their roots draw in moisture efficiently, but also because that water contains the nutrients plants need. In other words, increasing the number and size of soil aggregates both waters and feeds crops more efficiently and effectively.

But how can farmers improve soil structure? The key is to promote the growth of more beneficial microorganisms (bacteria and fungi). Their activity in breaking down plant and animal matter produces sticky “glues” (bacteria), net-like hyphal extensions (fungi), and other byproducts that serve as the building blocks of soil aggregates.

Microalgae-based soil amendments increase the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other beneficial organisms making them especially effective. Soil amendments containing microalgae not only promote soil aggregation, they also create conditions that enable greater biodiversity. In essence, they kickstart a biological cycle that maximizes the potential of younger fields and revitalizes older ones, enabling all acreage to support crops that produce greater quantities of more marketable strawberries and other fruit.

PhycoTerra^® soil amendment from Heliae^® Agriculture is an innovative, microalgae-based product that has been extensively studied and shown to improve strawberry yield by up to 970 lbs/acre and decrease bruising by up to 140%, resulting in an ROI of up to 17:1.

Confident in its product, Heliae provides a performance guarantee. It encourages growers to apply PhycoTerra^® soil amendment —which is available in organic and conventional formulations—to fields where soil organic matter is low and abiotic stress is high, and then compare them to similar but untreated fields. If the results don’t meet expectations, the company will refund the price paid for the product by the grower for enrolled acres, up to the suggested retail price (SRP) as a credit to the retailer.

To learn more about Heliae^® Agriculture, PhycoTerra^® soil amendment, and the science behind improved soil structure, please visit phycoterra.com/strawberries or call (800) 998-6536.