An increased understanding in recent years of the importance of soil health and the complex interactions between soil organisms and plants is enabling new gains in crop efficiency and productivity.

Arguably the most important relationship between plants and soil organisms is between beneficial mycorrhizae fungi and plants.

The importance of mycorrhizae cannot be overstated; most agriculturally important crops form a mutually beneficial relationship with mycorrhizae and this relationship have evolved over millions of years, having been demonstrated in the fossilised roots of some of the earliest land plants.

Unfortunately, modern agricultural practices can be detrimental to mycorrhizae, and can significantly deplete its levels in the soil.

Containing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, EndoPrime from Sumitomo is a new inoculant product that includes four high performing endo-mycorrhizae species, proven to increase crop productivity and overall plant and soil health.

Purposed to assist plants through a combination of improved nutrient availability and utilisation; improved water use efficiency and improved soil health, EndoPrime is being touted by users as an ‘insurance policy’ against ‘non-ideal’ growing conditions.

Cor Greyling is currently farm manager at ‘Vitonga’ Pty Ltd, Moree, overseeing 350 hectares of citrus trees - the produce from which goes to the company owned juicing facility, ‘Grove Juice’ at Warwick in Queensland.

When Mr Greyling started in the role a couple of years ago, the previous farm manager mentioned (as part of the transition period), he had treated a row of newly planted trees with EndoPrime.

Mr Greyling freely admits that for 12 months or so, he questioned the success of the trial. However, with trees having now reached their second year of growth, he says the difference between the ‘treated’ and ‘untreated’ trees is marked.

“The treated trees are definitely bigger,” he said.

“I would estimate between seven and 10 per cent bigger than those left untreated, plus size is substantially more consistent.

“Treated trees appear to have a greener canopy which I would expect is a result of the mycorrhizae in the EndoPrime colonising root systems - leading to improved nutrient availability and utilisation.

“We all know the value of a kilogram of oranges, but how do you calculate the value of additional growth?”

Mr Greyling is so happy with the results from EndoPrime, he says plans are afoot to treat a production block of adult trees, believing a healthier root system will allow better utilisation of fertilisers and potentially improved yield.

EndoPrime can be applied in-furrow at planting, as a seed treatment, a seedling drench or via sub surface irrigation.

Regardless of application method a target rate of 100-150g/ha should be applied to most crops.

EndoPrime is a wettable powder that can conveniently be mixed with many other products including adjuvants, biologicals, fungicides, insecticides and liquid fertilisers.