Survival to symbiosis: Improved soybean nodulation in adverse in-field conditions

Claire Randolph (MSc), Victus BioCo-author: Dr Stefan van Wyk, Victus Bio Soybeans and the underground partnerSouth Africa’s soybean sector is evolving into a key player in agriculture, with more producers recognising the crop’s value in crop rotations, soil health improvement and profitability. But successful soybean production does not only rely on good seed, timely planting […]

Benefits of SF-RTK boundaries in broadacre farming

Gerald Smith, Head of Field Operations IntroductionPrecision agriculture has revolutionised broadacre farming, enabling producers to optimise crop yields, reduce waste and promote sustainability. One crucial aspect of precision agriculture is the use of Sub-Foot Real-Time Kinematic (SF-RTK) boundaries for variable rate applications. Previous non-precision methods applied to determine block, field and zone boundaries on large […]

Stronger by nature: Calcium and silicon technologies

Rochelle Thuynsma, Head of Products: Technical Calcium and silica are fundamental elements in plant and soil systems, each contributing uniquely to cell wall stability, stress mitigation and nutrient dynamics, making their combined role increasingly relevant in the development of sustainable agricultural practices. CALCINATOR™CALCINATOR™ is a pectin complexed foliar calcium (Ca) source formulated to enhance the […]

The use of NutriCAST™ in row crops

Dr. Teunis Vahrmeijer, Director Business Development, Victus BioDr. Stefan van Wyk, Head of Biological Research and Product Development, Victus Bio NutriCAST™ for healthy soilsFrom the very birth of the concept Soil Health in 1909(1), it was recognised that soil fertility not only refers to the nutrient status of soils, but also includes the carbon content […]

Wine grapes: Bud break carbohydrates rule the roost

Wilmé Brown (Plant Physiologist) and Dr. Elmi Lötze (Head of ITEST™CARBOHYDRATES, ITEST™LEAF and Research and Development)    Carbohydrates and viticulture   The vine needs carbohydrates to survive the winter (the time during which leaves are absent and active photosynthesis cannot occur) and also to support vegetative growth during the coming season until new leaves emerge. While […]

Small grain leaf analyses tell a story

Nicola Kotzé, Senior Agronomist Dr. Elmi Lötze, Head of ITEST™CARBOHYDRATES and ITEST™LEAF   Leaf analyses speak volumes Leaf analyses  on small grains can identify mineral deficiencies even before visually observed, allowing farmers/growers to address deficiencies at an early stage, thus saving costs. Leaf analyses are generally used with great success in permanent crops, as well […]

Optimise table grape production with PICKLOGGER™

Optimise table grape production with PICKLOGGER™   Werner Coetzee: Commercial Head: PICKLOGGER™   Jan-Willem Boonzaaier: Commercial Head: Services   Gerrie van Deventer: Horticulturist    The future of table grape production lies in precision farming, where data-driven decisions can significantly improve yield and profitability.   PICKLOGGER™ is but one of the innovative tools leading the precision charge. This innovative device, […]

ZINC PHLOEM™: Improving nutrient delivery and plant physiological status

ZINC PHLOEM™: Improving nutrient delivery and plant physiological status  By Rochelle Thuynsma, Head of Products: Technical Role of zinc in plant physiology Plant growth and development are dependent on a sufficient supply of zinc (Zn). Photosynthesis, the main metabolic pathway in plants, can be significantly reduced by Zn deficiency, which leads to a decrease in […]

Plant-based protein hydrolysates: Biostimulants for the future

Plant-based protein hydrolysates: Biostimulants for the future by Rochelle Thuynsma Head of Products: Technical, Agri Technovation   Introduction Plant biostimulants include a wide range of products derived from natural and biological sources that offer a potentially novel approach to enhance crop growth and quality, nutrient uptake, and/or resistance to stress.(1,2,3) Recently, protein hydrolysates have gained […]

RELEASE the nutrient and microbiological handbrake in your soil 

RELEASE the nutrient and microbiological handbrake in your soil  Schalk du Plessis, Senior Soil Scientist    Introduction   Like any other matter, soil nutrients in their simplest form are a collection and arrangement of various elements. For healthy plant growth to take place, these nutrients need not only to be present in the soil in adequate […]