Fertilizer firm pushes liquid organic fertilizer vs. effects of El Niño on plants

By Danny O. Calleja

SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 23 — As the El Niño phenomenon prevailing in some parts of the country ravages agricultural crops, a Cebu-based fertilizer manufacturer has came up with a product that could help plants withstand water shortage due to the dry spell.

In a statement recently released here, Amebocyte Cell Company, Inc. (ACCI), manufacturer of Vegegrow Organic Plant Food & amp (adenosine monophosphate) said this product is a pure liquid organic fertilizer derived from marine plant extracts.

It is a natural plant food and bio stimulant that contains anti-oxidants, cytokinins and other plant hormones that can help crops withstand extreme moisture stress, the ACCI statement said.

“It is well reported and researched that cytokinins act as promoters of protein synthesis and inhibitors of protein degradation in plants. Thus, crops applied with Vegerow which contains cytokinins, can cope better during time of extreme water stress,” the ACCI statement said.

It also contains a significant level of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds, and helps in the maintenance of photochemical efficiency, and improved root mass. When applied as soil conditioner, the alginates in Vegegrow act as soil conditioner which improves the water holding capacity of the soil near the roots, it explained.

It is a common knowledge that drought is a major limiting factor in farming as the inadequate moisture suppresses the growth of crops, weakens the resistance to pests and diseases, affects nutrient utilization and usually decreases the quality and quantity of yield.

Not all plants develop antioxidant defense systems to cope with drought such that application of natural plant supplements that enhances resistance to drought maybe necessary during this climate situation, it said.

“Vegegrow is a real breakthrough in foliar cultivation and natural crop protection all-in-one. It is an organic fertilizer that contains natural plant growth hormones such as auxins, giberellins, cytokinins; amino acids; enzymes; proteins; vitamins and carbohydrates,” Rey Divinagracia, ACCI’s technical and marketing head told PNA over the phone on Monday.

It also contains inherent azotobacter, a nitrogen fixing bacteria needed for more vigorous growth, healthier and sturdier plants, he said.

Cytokinins, Divinagracia explained, is a class of phytohormones, function as antioxidants and have been shown to improve drought resistance and exhibit anti-senescence properties and earlier studies noted that it delay the senescence process probably by maintaining the integrity of the tonoplast membrane.

Tonoplast membrane, he added is the cytoplasmic membrane surrounding the vacuole, separating the vacuolar contents from the cytoplasm in a cell. As a membrane, it is mainly involved in regulating the movements of ions around the cell, and isolating materials that might be harmful or a threat to the cell.

Vegegrow makes plants greener, retards the aging process, stimulates the survival rates of seedlings and improves plant resistance to attacks from pests and plant diseases and adds essential nutrients and trace elements to the soil, he said.

“This product is a safe organic fertilizer that provides the natural crop protection, thereby assuring safe fresh vegetables, bright colored flowers, bigger fruits, heavier grains and higher crop yields,” he said.

Vegegrow seaweed extract is a proudly Philippine made product that is proven effective yet economical being a natural plant food and bio stimulant produced from 100 percent liquid seaweed extracts, Divinagracia said.

It passed through a scientific extraction process that is designed to maximize the derived amount of primary, secondary and trace elements, as well as the naturally occurring plant growth regulators and other beneficial compounds. It is non-fibrous and non-neutralized alkali extracted, he said.

This fertilizer, Divinagracia said combines in one unique formulation the essential properties of Euchema cotonii, Euchema spinosum and Sargasum polycystum, three seaweed species found in tropical waters usually used to produce food supplements, ingredients and enhancers as well as cosmetics among others, proving its being safe for environment and humans.

Although inexpensive, he said Vegegrow provides a complete nutrition, having a natural balance of macro and micro-nutrients that the plants need, making it an ideal supplement. It also contains carbohydrates and mannitol, a natural organic chelating agent that helps in unlocking unavailable nutrients present in the soil.

It is easily absorbed by the plants and complements and enhances effect of other farm inputs. It stimulates the metabolic processes helping the plant to explore leaf-locked nutrients while the growth hormones in it boost the rate of seed germination, increases cell growth and stimulates more vigorous and stronger roots.

Vegegrow also increases chlorophyll retention thus enhancing photosynthesis and helps the reduction of premature fruit dropping producing an increased in yield and improves the quality of shelf life of produce, Divinagracia said.

“Vegegrow is non-burning, easy to apply and can be used as foliar, seed soak, root and cutting dip. One very important thing to always remember though is that in farming, no product can be a stand alone”, thus, it does not claim to be a miracle and do-it-all input,” he said

However, he added, “ we are very confident that it will enhance and effectively improve your existing farm program without costing that much and without harming our future .”

“Currently we have a countrywide sales of our product through reputable distributors. Exporting it to other countries is our next venture,” Divinagracia added.

Sorsogon provincial vice-governor Renato Laurinaria said here on Monday that he was familiar with Vegegrow and had been using it for his mini-farm in Castilla, his hometown.

“Unlike chemical fertilizers, Vegegrow is an effective and environment-friendly fertilizer,” the vice-governor who advocates natural farming added. (PNA)

FFC/LQ/DOC/cbd

Similar Posts:

• Former teacher ventures into organic fertiliser industry
• Organic farming, inter-cropping cushion impact of drought in Cordillera areas
• Kakawate leaves as pesticide, bio-organic fertilizer
• Bio-organic fertilizer developed in Pangasinan
• DENR XII personnel learn to produce organic fertilizer