AquiMax is a revolutionary co-polymer system that uses ground-breaking Micro Inversion Technology (MIT) to improve water and nutrient availability in soil.

AquiMax is a Micro Inversion Technology formulation that is easily injectable and disperses into a long-chain carbon, says Jon Corona, Agspec business manager (Sunraysia/MIA).

“With this technology the surfactant allows homogenous movement of water to help permeate the soil while the polymer retains water and nutrients within the root zone. This increases the bank of moisture and nutrients available to plants throughout the growing season.”

Mr Corona said the water retention polymer within AquiMax retains soluble nutrients and water within the root profile, preventing leaching. This was critical for the long-term sustainability of the agricultural industry.

“Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a total concentration of salts (including nutrients), which is an indicator of how all factors within the soil are performing. In the graph below, retention of water and nutrients is evident in the AquiMax treatment at the 20cm depth.

“Conversely, there is evidence of water and nutrients increasing at 91cm in the untreated control. This Mildura trial in almonds confirm a statistically significant improvement in AquiMax treated soil when compared to the untreated soil.

“AquiMax helps to maintain nutrients and plant-available water for up to 35% longer, reducing the risk of leaching and improving translocation. This improved root dynamic results in greater water and nutrient utilisation by the plant and less loss to the environment.

“When AquiMax is applied to a Sunraysia coarse loamy sand soil profile a significant improvement in Available Water Content (AWC) is delivered. The chart below compares AquiMax and the Untreated Control (UTC) in scheduling irrigation events. AquiMax improves Volumetric Water Content (VWC) in the 0–46 cm by up to 32%.

“The statistically significant difference of 1.50 mL/ha from December to April is an average of 13% below the water budget, and based on this, the approximate time of irrigation saving would equate to 167 hours across this period.”

Mr Corona said root development and soil health is the cornerstone for long-term tree health. “With poorly developed root systems battling for water and nutrient access, this affects root functionality.

“The improvement in water and nutrient access that AquiMax delivers to the root zone promotes consistent and rapid establishment of healthy trees with improved production.

“When plants experience moisture stress, the flow within the plant xylem reduces the transportation of nutrients due to the lack of turgor pressure, impacting plant health. AquiMax can be applied strategically to mitigate moisture stress during the physiological stages that are crucial to sustainability throughout the crop lifecycle.”

AquiMax has been conducted in field trials in over 19 different crops, including almonds, by research teams in multiple states across Australia and in the United States.

Mr Corona said when applying AquiMax, the primary focus is to promote efficiencies around water and nutrient use, resulting in improved production due to improved available water in the soil profile.

“In Australia, we have definitely noted improved responses around tree growth and production. Australian trials within the Sunraysia district, environmental conditions which were impacted by drought during the 2018/19 growing season helped highlight this.”

Mr Corona said findings from this trial showed a statistically significant advantage of AquiMax with minimal peaks and troughs noted during water recharge and irrigation events in the 0–60cm zone.

“The improvement in soil moisture distribution was found in the 0–60cm zone, with an additional saving of one megalitre of water alleviating soil moisture stress.”

He said AquiMax makes every droplet matter, critical in developing long term sustainability in the Australian environment by delivering the following benefits:

· Reduced irrigation events

· Assists in achieving return on investment (ROI) goals

· Limit soil crusting

· Improve water use in restricted areas

· Up to 15% yield increase

· Up to 30% water and energy use savings

· Standard application without any special equipment

· Less erosion and water runoff.

Mr Corona said growers should consider AquiMax in their next season’s program to deliver their long-term sustainability goals.