The Science of how it works
During the decomposition of an organic material, microbes rely on nitrogen sources for the energy needed to facilitate their population booms. Atlas uses chicken manure as an organic base. Thus, to eliminate a “nitrogen negative period” in your soil, this is put through a specialised process whereby the Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) ratio is manipulated as required. The primed substrate now forms the matrix into which Atlas adds its range of essential elements according to soil and crop needs. These requirements are identified and answered by our team of highly qualified field experts.
This combination results in a series of events unfolding in your soil which ultimately lead to your crop reaching its full potential.
For optimal plant functionality
Balanced Plant Nutrition
An organism is most vulnerable to pests and disease when it is unhealthy. For a plant to function optimally it requires a range of essential elements in various concentrations. These allow the plant to develop its cells to their full potential, resulting in the plant manufacturing its own vitamins, amino acids and antibodies. This makes the crop resilient to attacks by fungus, viruses and unwanted pests, such as eel-worm and red spider.
The benefit of using Atlas is that the exact and even application of these secondary, micro and trace elements is made possible when diluted in an organic matrix. How else does one apply 20kg/ha of copper sulfate? Furthermore this organic matrix results in chelation of these elements into recognisable forms for plant uptake.
The catalyst for plant and soil synergy
Microbial Stimulation
The importance of microbial activity in agricultural soils cannot be emphasised enough. To stimulate this activity it is essential that organic carbon is present to feed these multiplying micro-organisms. For optimal microbial development soil carbon levels should be around 5%. Average Southern African soil carbon levels are around 2%!
Microbes are the component of soil which change it from an inorganic medium to a living ecosystem. They change their environment and make it function in accordance with their needs. Water is locked into their networks, air is exchanged with the atmosphere through respiration and soil properties change; physically and chemically. This encourages symbiosis with other organisms and in the case of agriculture, plants join the ecosystem by exuding sugars through their roots in exchange for nutrients transferred by these microbial networks. It is this microbial nutrient transfer which allows crops to experience optimal nutrient uptake. Atlas puts all the components in place for this phenomenon to occur. The microbes are there. Atlas stimulates them.
Improve soil quality
Chemically & Physically
Chemical properties are changed through the secretions exuded by microbes which react with the volatile or unbalanced fraction of a soil. Salt formations are reduced by chelating metal ions such as Mg, Fe and Mn. These chelated ions subsequently become organically recognisable to plants. Thus they are available for uptake. By breaking these bonds in the soil and releasing these ions into plant compatible form, the soil takes on a lighter and softer state.
The physical improvement of a soil is a result of microbes structuring the soil to benefit their existence. They open airways for respiration and hold water for cellular function. Thus the soil has increased water penetration and retention. This encourages root development which increases nutrient uptake by plants.