How Trianum Helps Rose Growers Defeat Crown Gall and Maximize Crop Performance

What is Trianum

TRIANUM is based on Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22. This is a unique, patented, hybrid strain from Koppert. TRIANUM is not only useful for the control of soil-borne pathogens such as Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Fusarium spp., Sclerotinia spp. and Microdochium spp., but also to improve root system development, nutrient uptake and plant growth.

Due to its unique formulation, TRIANUM performs well under different environmental conditions. Trichoderma harzianum T-22 grows in a wide temperature range (10-34°C), at a pH between 4 and 8, in many types of growing media.

Effect on Nutrition use efficiency

Significant efforts have been made to study the mode of action of Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22 in scientific research. Such studies that were conducted by Gary E. Harman et. al., (1999; 2005) explained the ability of Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22 to increase plant growth by solubilizing many plant nutrients from their solid phase compounds (e.g. Rock Phosphate, MnO₂, Fe₂O₃, and Metallic Zinc), and in some cases chelate various plant nutrient compounds. Further, the studies showed the ability of TRIANUM to enhance nutrient uptake, root development, root hair formation and deeper rooting.

These findings point out the role of TRIANUM in optimizing the uptake of mineral fertilizers, especially in crops grown in soil media where nutrient fixation is common.

Effect on Productivity

One of the direct effects of efficient nutrient and water uptake by the plant is seen in a vigorously growing crop that can support more yields and better quality. It is for this reason that growers who use TRIANUM in their rose crops experience dramatic improvement in yield and quality of their crop.

In previous local long-term trials in roses, consistent use of TRIANUM showed positive impact on the quality of rose stems, bud size, and stem length.

TRIANUM-treated roses had consistently bigger bud size as compared to the standard comparison area.

The same study also showed a notable increase in the total number of harvestable stems and a general increase in the stem length profile, specifically in stem lengths 50-59cm (0.4%), 60-69cm (0.3%) and 70-79cm (0.1%) in the TRIANUM treated rose crop compared to the standard comparison area.

Effect on Crown Gall

Notably, rose growers who consistently use TRIANUM in their rose crop observe that the level of infection of their rose bushes with Crown Gall (Agrobaterium tumefaciens) reduces tremendously!

The biological control of Crown Gall by T-22 is a complex process including several factors acting synergistically and playing roles in the control process. The relative contribution of each factor will depend on the kind of pathogen present, the ratio of pathogens to the biocontrol agents, the strains and the host plant.

Kenyan rose growers using TRIANUM have been able to reduce and manage Crown Gall on their farms. The formation of new galls ceases and the galls that were present before starting the use of Trianum dries up.

Effective management of Crown Gall in roses does not only reduce the stress on the crop that results from competition for nutrients within but also eliminates the breeding site for False Codling Moth in the greenhouse, hence contributing to the overall management of FCM.

Versatile Formulation

Due to its superior formulation, TRIANUM completely disperses in water to give a uniform suspension. TRIANUM should be applied by drenching to root zone in any of the following ways: Drip irrigation (TRIANUM does not clog drip irrigation systems); Overhead irrigation systems; Motorized hose and reel cart sprayer; Boom sprayers; Knapsack sprayers, etc.

TRIANUM is an essential input for the production of cut-roses. Treatment of roses with TRIANUM results in higher yields per unit area and an improvement in quality of roses in terms of longer stems and bigger bud size. Most Importantly, Trianum always pays for itself!