®
GROZYME: OUR FOUNDER GroZyme is a proprietary formulation developed
by
the
late
Dr.
David
Zimmerman, Founder of AgroPlus, Inc. Our products are state of the art biostimulants which are yield enhancers and soil nitrogen utilization boosters. Over the last twenty years, great strides have been made in understanding how we can use natural bacteria in nature to help increase components in soil that “naturally” occur, thus increasing crop
yields
environment. reduce
without
harming
our
These processes help
synthetic
use
of
nitrates;
reducing potential pollution of our water tables from run off into our lakes, rivers, and streams.
WHAT IS GROZYME? GroZyme is a complex of fermentation products and trace minerals which improves plant growth and increases yields. It is non-toxic, non-irritating and environmentally safe. In the period 1983-1996, over 100 replicated studies have been per formed on major crops in 11 states. Research cooperators have indicated that GroZyme and its predecessor AgroPlus have enhanced yields on the crop groups noted below. Soils of low to moderate nutrient levels seem to be the most responsive. In many soils, indigenous or “natural” levels of soil nitrogen cannot support the soil-plant system sufficiently for GroZyme to show an effect. An immediate supply of nitrogen at 40 lb/A to 120 lb/A appears necessary to induce the responsiveness of most crops to GroZyme. Nitrogen applications over these levels may produce no yield enhancement. Excessive
WHAT IS GROZYME?
nutrient application may produce yield decreases in some soils. Furthermore, soil organic matter levels should be at least 1.0% for best results.
A complete soil analysis should
One specific mode of action for GroZyme has been
precede nutrient recommendation and
clearly defined. GroZyme
GroZyme application, and consultation
mineralization from soil organic matter. This release of
with local authorized distributors is
nitrogen decreases the need for nitrogen fertilizer input
recommended prior to GroZyme use.
through:
Research indicates that the products should be incorporated, applied infurrow, for
or
best
sidedressed results.
(injected)
Optimum
rates,
application methods and fertilization management are reviewed annually and updated through inputs from the
increases the rate of nitrogen
1) Regulating soil microbial populations and their activity. 2) Mobilizing nitrogen bound in soil organic matter. 3) Enhancing root growth and consequently, access to moisture and nutrients.
research program. Summarizing yield results gained through use of currently recommended procedures, the mean yield increase on all crops is 12.2%, with increases averaging: 12.7% in corn 22.9% in edible beans 17.9% in onions Thus, the products appear to improve the efficiency of
7.6% in potatoes
nitrogen supply, uptake and utilization in the plant-soil
5.0% in sorghum
system. Generally, less nitrogen is required to grow a crop when GroZyme treatment is included in the management
10.7% in soybeans
program. In fact, studies to date indicate that GroZyme
6.2% in sugar beets
may release 40 lb/A to 80 lb/A of soil nitrogen. Therefore,
8.3% in sweet corn
GroZyme appears to be of significant value in reducing both nitrogen inputs and the cost of producing a crop. Preliminary
24.4% in tomatoes
studies also indicate that in some cases GroZyme may reduce
15.5% in wheat.
the amount of nitrate reaching groundwater and water bodies when used in a program of conscientious and costeffective nitrogen fertilization. There are also indications that use of GroZyme with low to moderate rates of nitrogen
®
may enhance crop residue decomposition and therefore soil organic matter content and cation exchange capacity. GroZyme may thus be of considerable value in both residue decomposition and in soil rehabilitation efforts.
PLANT-SOIL INTERACTIONS In earlier discussions it has been speculated that GroZyme treatment stimulates soil microbiological activity and that the process is moderated by soil nitrogen levels. It appears that the mechanism is more complex than was first supposed. It now seems more accurate to state that GroZyme appears to enhance soil microbial activity. The critical threshold theory applied to the response of soil microbes to residual and applied nitrogen is still apt. Comparing treated to untreated soils, soil nitrate levels significantly affect soil microbial numbers and activity. Available nitrate threshold levels above 30 ppm appear to be necessary in fallow soils. In supporting a crop, a nitrate constituency above 15 ppm seems necessary for GroZyme treatment to elicit a response. In commercial applications, soil testing should precede GroZyme application in order to determine rates of fertilizer nitrogen to ensure proper response. GroZyme treatment enhances numbers of aerobic bacteria upward under conditions of nitrogen sufficiency. Where sufficient nitrogen is present, soil organisms appear to mineralize soil organic matter and release nitrogen at a greater rate in GroZyme treated soils. In the corn treatment group, significant decreases in soil organic matter resulted where GroZyme was applied. Of course, soil microbes and higher plants compete for nitrogen and continue to do so as long as
CONCLUSIONS When applied to the soil at recommended rates, bio-stimulants can: • Alter microbial communities in the soil, • Speed the decomposition and mineralization of nitrogen from organic materials, • Enhance the availability of nitrogen for plant uptake • Influence plant growth.
* The organic approved version of GroZyme complies with the standards of Organic Certifiers and contains only ingredients approved under the USDA National Organic Program. It is sold under the names GroZyme OA and GroZyme OA Micronutrient Spray and is approved for the use of organic crop production.
oxidizable carbon compounds remain. Why the oxidation is greater in GroZyme-treated soils is not completely clear. Nevertheless, in the presence of plants and moderate levels of nitrogen and GroZyme, soil organic matter is metabolized more quickly than the untreated group. It is reasonable to assume that the resulting increase in soil nitrogen with GroZyme treatment was responsible for significantly increasing plant weight by day 56.
®
OA
