For every flower stem that gets to the market a lot has happened behind the scenes. This includes proper feeding, crop protection and general agronomic practices. Every flower grower strives to increase their output in terms of volume and quality. Indeed, a flower is not just a flower, but different market aspects determine its quality. Stem length, head size and vase life are some of the aspects to name but a few.
Pests and diseases still pose a great threat to crops. Several approaches are currently in use in management of pests and diseases. Integrated pest management is a concept that combines several approaches such as cultural, physical, biological control, and finally the use of chemical pesticides. It is worthwhile to point out that biological control is the cornerstone for IPM, without which it may be difficult to succeed. Beneficial fungi are an example of tools for biological control. Trianum, is one such example of a product based on a beneficial fungus -the unique T-22 hybrid strain of Trichoderma harzianum. This fungus strengthens the roots of numerous crops and protects them from soil-borne pathogens such as Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Sclerotina.
Trianum works well in a wide range of conditions including variable pH levels, soil temperatures, soil types & textures. Crops grown with Trianum have been observed to be more resistant to stress caused by diseases, poor nutrition & harsh weather conditions. As with all Koppert products, Trianum is one hundred percent natural and thus safe for the people and the environment.
How TRIANUM Works
Trianum is applied in the root zone, where it develops mycelia which grow very aggressively along with the developing root system. It protects the plants in the following ways: competition for space, competition for nutrients and through production of enzymes that break down pathogen cell walls (mycoparasitism). It further strengthens the plant by promoting a healthier root system and inducing the plant’s own defense system at the root and shoot level. By facilitating the absorption of nutrients, it enables the plant to make better use of the nutrients present in the growing media.
The benefits that accrue following the use of Trianum in flowers include increased production in terms of number of stems, as well as improved quality parameters, such as increased stem length and bud size. This of course depends on the specific grower’s management practices and efforts to optimize either of the above benefits. For example, some growers use Trianum to get higher production numbers, while others use it to get longer stems. Different flower varieties sometimes respond differently to application of the product. All in all, the results are always positive. For instance, some growers consistently report lower incidences of crown gall (Agrobacteria tumefaciens) following consistent use of Trianum, which cannot be said of other Trichoderma-based products in the market. Trianum therefore truly offers value for money.
However, Trianum is not a silver bullet. Good management practices combined with the use of the product is bound to give growers a positive return on investment.