BIOFUMIGANT

Fumig8torPacific Bio NEW

NOTESCROP MANAGEMENT

PROVIDES SYSTEMS APPROACH TO IMPROVED SOIL HEALTH WITH IPM OPTIONS

WHAT IS PACIFIC BIO FUMIG8TOR?Pacific Bio Fumig8tor is a C4 plant that has specialised biocidal production capabilities which suppress specific species of parasitic nematodes and soil borne pathogens. It has been bred using advanced conventional breeding technology and is not a GMO. This product provides a systems approach to soil health complimenting an Integrated Pest Management program.

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Produces compounds to assist with suppression of specific species of nematodes and some soil

pathogens

Provides disease break crop option

Provides ideal barrier crop for melons, strawberries

Can be used as a living mulch in companion to some crops

Pacific Bio Fumig8tor hosts and promotes VAM

Produces large quantity of biomass and organic carbon

Assists with nutrient cycling efficiency and uptake of macro nutrients in following crop

Fast de-composition due to structure of plant

High seed count makes it cost efficient

Provides positive effect in drought/stress environment due to compound production trigger

Proven results in many crops across Australian horticulture production areas but has marked effect

in root crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes

Can increase the shelf life of cut flowers.

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Pacific Bio Fumig8tor provides flexibility in a system with different planting windows.

It’s early vigour and quick maturity provides fast early growth to the first cut, with potential for multiple cuts depending on the rotational window.

It has super fine stems with a high leaf to stem ratio which provide very fast breakdown in fields and green house situations.

It is especially suited to potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, capsicums, eggplant, pumpkin, melons and tomato crops. Recent grower experiences indicate benefits to some tree crops including macadamia, citrus and avocados.

It is being used as a living mulch crop in melons and pineapple.

THE BENEFITS OF FUMIG8TOR

The following are some suggestions to achieve the best results:

• Produce as much total biomass of the crop as possible. This requires that you have a good stand, fertility, and sufficient growing time to obtain multiple cuts. The more biomass that is produced within a specific growth phase and is incorporated, the more compound is released. However, as plants reach the reproductive phase levels of these active chemicals will decline and you should not let the plants reach beyond 1.6 metres in height per cut.

• The plant material should be cut at maximum compound production levels. Material must be thoroughly damaged so that enzymes can convert into toxic compounds. The finer the chop, the more biofumigant compound is released.

• The material should be incorporated as thoroughly as practical to release the biofumigant chemical throughout the root zone of the area that is to be later planted to vegetables. Poor distribution of the biofumigant crop pieces in the soil will lead to reduced effectiveness.

• Soil conditions should not be overly dry or excessively wet for best results. Pacific Bio Fumig8tor differs from Brassica bio fumigant crops in that it requires less water at incorporation due to the higher biomass moisture content contained in the plant tissue, making it an easier option to manage.

• Pacific Bio Fumig8tor also hosts and promotes VAM. This can have an effect on establishment of the following crop especially sugarcane and sweet corn. Other VAM dependent crops that can be affected include onions.

• Other benefits may include some disease suppression. However, other mechanisms such as increasing diversity of the soil microbial community (resulting in increased competition with pathogens) and promoting growth of beneficial microbes that serve as biocontrol agents may be more important to the overall outcome.

• Biocidal activity occurs over a sustained period post mulching, watering and incorporation, therefore allow four weeks for full breakdown of the crop and degradation of the biocidal compounds in the soil. It is advised to perform full soil cultivation prior to planting the next crop.

• The combination of abundant biomass production, sub soiling root systems, and weed and nematode

suppression can produce dramatic results from Pacific Bio Fumig8tor as experienced in many commercial vegetable operations throughout Australia.

• In a South Australian greenhouse trial using three treatments including a nematicide, liquid biocide and Pacific Bio Fumig8tor it was visually apparent that the Pacific Bio Fumig8tor was more effective in suppressing Pythium sp. and increased plant health and total production was increased on the following capsicum crop. In a Bundaberg repeated trial Pacific Bio Fumig8tor increased potato tuber quality and total marketable yield compared to non treated area. There was also a increased nutrient uptake efficiency in these trials on the sandy, low organic carbon level soils.

MANAGEMENT OF PACIFIC BIO FUMIG8TOR

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SOWING RATES FOR FUMIG8TORSITUATION RATE/HA

Horticulture full irrigation 25-30kgHorticulture partial irrigation 15-20kg

Cane full irrigation 15-20kgCane partial irrigation 10-15kg

The bottom line: Pacific Bio Fumig8tor can suppress soil borne pests but is not a full replacement for chemical fumigants. However, in general, using biofumigant crops in combination with disease tolerant vegetable varieties can allow for a greater chance of success in tight rotation situations.

Increased root health in potatoes post-Fumig8tor

Pacific Bio Fumig8tor produces compounds to assist in managing specific genera of nematodes and soil pathogens. It has a dual mode of action and produces these compounds in leaf, stem and roots. The production of these compounds in leaf and roots is independent of each other and have separate functions.

Research has shown that management techniques can improve the efficacy of the compound production. Stress is the trigger for the production of the above-ground component, while the roots can be stimulated to produce more exudates through the application of seed treatments, good nitrogen nutrition or in-crop methods including use of specific hormone inducing groups registered for use.

MODE OF ACTION OF COMPOUNDS

MODE OF ACTION

Research has been conducted which has shown that some seed treatments can increase exudate production. This research was initially conducted to ensure that the plant did not reduce in efficacy when treated with insecticide and seed safener for grass control using Dual Gold and Primextra Gold.

Exudate production for the Pacific BioFumig8tor root under the microscope in the lab.

Economic ThresholdNematode Soil

(Nematodes/200g soil)

Root(Nematodes/50g dry

root)

Crops

ROOT LESION Pratylenchus zeae

125 Strawberry

500 Fast growing processing,Tomato, Sugarcane

250 50 Most other crops

ROOT KNOTMeloidogyne spp

0 0 Carrot, Parsnip, Tomato125 0 Onion, Potato250 Most Crops

BULB AND STEM 25 Most CropsPIN 1250 Most Crops

CYST500 larva or eggs

> 50 cysts Cruciferous crops

SoybeansPOTATO CYSTGlobodera rostochiensis Australia only formerly (heterodera)

500 larva or eggs>50 cysts 0 Potato, Tomato, Egg Plant

Economic thresholds for soil and root populations of plant parasitic nematodes

MANAGEMENT OF ROTATION TIMING WITH PACIFIC BIO FUMIG8TOR

Continued research into obtaining the best efficacy from Pacific Bio Fumig8tor across different systems shows there are a number of management factors that can be applied depending on the required outcome.

There is increased interest among greenhouse vegetable and herb growers in using Pacific Bio Fumig8tor prior to producing crops with little or no input pesticides especially where some growers would normally use nematicides to reduce the problems. Use of Pacific Bio Fumig8tor in this situation is also seriously considered as an IPM option to avoid ecological disruption of the environment and to avoid or minimize losses due to plant diseases.

If your crop rotation timing is approximately 12 weeks critical things for consideration are planting rates and management of the crop.1. Top the plant when it reaches one metre high to encourage increased biomass of leaf and roots. Do not cut lower than 12cm high. Cut only the top of the plant with a cutter bar to stimulate fast maximum growth and compound production to fit in with a tight rotation.

2. Ensure planting rate is increased to maximum levels.3. For short rotations or in more temperate climates, material will breakdown faster if nitrogen fertilizer is broadcast/added to the field and either watered or worked in. This can also be done just prior to full incorporation. The nitrogen applied will be available to the following crop decreasing any risk of tie up of nutrients.

Pacific Bio Fumig8tor can be cut multiple times, with recommended plant height being 1.2 metres each time. Cut height should be no lower than 12cm high, as this will have the potential to remove growing point and decrease dry matter production and regrowth, interfering with rotation timing.After first cut Pacific Bio Fumig8tor will tiller profusely (in most environments and planting windows) therefore increasing total biomass for maximum compound productionNOTE: If utilising the crop in a multiple chop system, ensure you chop the first cut above the growing point or 12cm from crown of the plant. This will ensure fast re-growth and encourage increased biomass production for second cut.

SHORT ROTATIONS AND TEMPERATE ZONES - SINGLE CUT METHOD:

LONGER ROTATION PERIODS - MULTIPLE CUT METHOD

GREENHOUSE VEGETABLE AND HERB GROWERS

A minimum of 4 weeks is need to avoid any ill effect on the following crop. If unsure follow the germ test instructions included in this publication.

WITHHOLDING PERIOD POST INCORPORATION OF PACIFIC BIO FUMIG8TOR POST INCORPORATION

Pacific Bio Fumig8tor® is a very versatile product and can be use in many customised farm scenarios. This method in melons is proving successful to shield against nematodes, pathogens, aphids and sandblasting.

Living mulch culture, the practice of growing a crop in a field with an existing horticultural crop until harvest, provides an innovative low-input cultural method that can result in improved weed control, reduced erosion, and reduced leaching of nutrients. With living mulches, weed and erosionmanagement are achieved by covering the entire field with a uniform cover of a single easily manageable species.

The biological diversity added to the soil by the living mulch in vegetable crop production,may provide advantages that are known to occur in diversified systems compared to conventional monocultures. These advantages include improved productivity efficiency on an area basis, improved nutrient cycling, lower pest and weed pressures, reduced erosion, and improved general system ecological and economic stability.

Pacific Bio Fumig8tor can be used as a living mulch companion crop planted to provide many benefits throughout the growing season. Successful use of Pacific Bio Fumig8tor as a living mulch crop

have been evidenced in melons across Australia, however, there are many other crops that are now in the process of testing it as part of a systems approach to improving soil health and providing in crop protection and benefits. Currently, Pacific Bio Fumig8tor is established between rows of the main crop to suppress weeds, reduce nematodes, and increase nutrient cycling, whilst giving protection to crops from insects and sand blasting. Mechanical suppression, such as mowing, will be necessary throughout the growing season to help manage the Fumig8tor as a living mulch crop. Alternatively dependent on crop type, chemical control options will be available as a desiccating method.

Research has shown that any injury to the Pacific Bio Fumig8tor plant (mechanical/chemical/insect sucking) will increase levels of toxin production in both above and below ground plant components, giving greater efficacy to the use of this product on some species of pests including Root Knot nematodes and sucking pests (aphids).

PACIFIC BIO FUMIG8TOR AS A LIVING MULCH CROP

GERMINATION TESTProcedure for assessing the germination test results:1. If germination in the jar of Pacific Bio Fumig8tor paddock soil is less than 15 or the root tips of seedlings show symptoms of burning, delay planting and repeat the lettuce test immediately. 2. If germination is less than 15, delay planting and repeat the lettuce test in one week.3. If the root tips in the fumigated soil jar is showing symptoms of burning, delay planting and repeat the lettuce test in one week.4. If the lettuce test shows no evidence of fumigant residues in your soil (germination >15 or noburnt root tips), you can proceed with planting.

There is a simple test farmers can undertake to determine if the compounds produced by Pacific Bio Fumig8tor are still too high within the soil profile.

1. Take some soil from the lowest point of field where Pacific Bio Fumig8tor was grown – residues there may be higher.2. Half-fill each glass jar with soil. Use one jar half filled with sand as a standard and the other with the soil from the field where Pacific Bio Fumig8tor was grown.3. Moisten a cotton wool square with water and place 20 lettuce seeds on it. Place the cotton square in each of the two jars on top of the soil

sample (using tweezers is a good idea) and secure the lids. Ensure you store the jars out of direct sunlight and temperature extremes (preferably keep at room temperature) for two to three days.4. After two to three days, remove the cotton wool squares from each jar, count the number ofgerminated seeds and record this number. Also note the condition of the germinated seedlings. Follow the instructions on assessing the germination test (right) to determine if crop planting canproceed. Inhibition of lettuce germination and/or burning of their root tips may indicate the presence of residues in the soil.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE SOIL IS SAFE TO PLANT MY NEXT CROP

PROVIDING AN IDEAL IPM SOLUTION IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER TREATMENTS

Pacific Bio Fumig8tor is not promoted as a direct replacement for conventional fumigation procedures. It is best used in combination with other treatments to offer sustainable practices for crop management of pests, diseases and in certain rotations acts as a weed suppressant.

Pacific Bio Fumig8tor can be used in a robust crop rotation, and eight years of research demonstrates that it can reduce the incidence of pests and

diseases in variety of crops. Worldwide, the value of biofumigation crops are recognised for providing a more sustainable approach to soil health through the control and suppression of pests and diseases as well as suppression of certain weeds.

For short window rotations, bed forming soon after incorporation is an option, provided the period prior to planting next crop is observed.

Chinchilla 2012-13 melon trialEarly research using Pacific Bio Fumig8tor® in an Elders on farm trial showed promising results toward suppression effect on some pathogens to a level where conventional methods of control have efficacy. This trial was conducted at Chinchilla to assess effect of Fumig8tor in melons using data taken pre plant and after incorporation of Fumig8tor.

Pacific Bio Fumig8tor® is a very versatile product and can be use in many customised farm scenarios. This method in melons is proving successful. Trial conducted by Neil Stevenson, Elders Dalby.

Crop rotation is a key to successful vegetable production. However, land limitations, unreliable seasonal conditions and agronomic influences often make long term rotations difficult. Shorter rotations can lead to a buildup of pests, with soil borne diseases being a major challenge for many vegetable crops. One approach to tighter rotations is to use a chemical fumigant or if you are considering the long term sustainability of the land the other alternative answer lies with the latest novel C4 plant Pacific Bio Fumig8tor.There has been considerable interest in the use of certain crops as biological fumigants ahead of vegetable production to reduce the need for

chemical fumigation, especially in tight rotations. The Fumig8tor plant produces compounds through conventional means that reduce specific soil borne pests. Fumig8tor has shown the potential to serve as a biological fumigant. Research across the country has shown promise in using Pacific Bio Fumig8tor to reduce soil borne pests. Pacific Bio Fumig8tor plants will produce high levels of chemicals called cyanogenic glucoside in plant tissue (roots and foliage). These glucosides are released from plant tissue when it is injured, cut or chopped and then further broken down by enzymes to form chemicals that behave like fumigants.

FITTING PACIFIC BIO FUMIG8TOR INTO YOUR ROTATION

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The information provided in this publication is intended as a guide only. Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd (including its officers, employees, contractors and agents) ('Pacific Seeds') can not guarantee that every statement is without flaw of any kind. While Pacific Seeds has taken all due care to ensure that the information provided is accurate at the time of publication, various factors, including planting times and environmental conditions may alter the characteristics and performance from plants.Pacific Seeds shall not be liable for any errors or omissions in the information or for any loss, injury, damage or other consequence whatsoever that you or any person might incur as a result of your use of or reliance upon the products (whether Pacific Seeds products or otherwise) and information which appear in this publication. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the liability of Pacific Seeds for any claim whatsoever arising out of the supply or use of or reliance upon the products and information in this publication (including liability for breach of any condition or warranty implied by the Trade Practices Act 1974 or any other law) is limited at its discretion, to the replacement of the products, the supply of equivalent products or the resupply of the publication. For application to specific conditions, seek further advice from a local professional.

WARNING: NOT TO BE USED FOR GRAZING, HAY, SILAGE OR AS PART OF ANY FEED RATION.

WARNING NOTE: As Pacific Bio Fumig8tor has been bred for high production of biocidal compounds, it is imperative that growers do not expose this crop to livestock particularly ruminents. Specific warning signs supplied with the purchase of this product must also be erected on crops as part of the stewardship program attached to Pacific Bio Fumig8tor.

Maree CrawfordBusiness ManagerMobile: 0427 757 418

Rockhampton/Callide Dawson, CQ, FNQ and Northern TerritoryChris Farrelly – mobile 0427 600 183

Northwest Darling Downs, Burnett and Maranoa – Queensland Tom Ferguson – mobile 0428 156 571

Central and Southern Darling Downs – Queensland Bill Smith – mobile 0428 718 021

Southeast QueenslandJason McIntosh – mobile 0407 625 010

Northwest NSW, MacIntyre and BalonneAndrew Short – mobile 0428 669 158

Liverpool Plains and Hunter Valley NSW Tony McCumstie – mobile 0428 717 738

Central West NSW and MIA Chris Fletcher – mobile 0447 148 617

South Coast and RiverinaKarl Schilg – mobile 0488 049 160Northern Victoria, Gippsland & TasmaniaMark Thompson - mobile 0428 797 800

Wimmera, Mallee & Western Districts of VictoriaAnton Mannes - mobile 0417 756 151

South Australia Andrew Etherton - mobile 0427 652 726

Rob McCarronTechnical ManagerMobile - 0427 748 458

Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd Head Office 268 Anzac Avenue (P O Box 337) Toowoomba QLD 4350 Phone: (07) 4690 2666 Fax: (07) 4690 2622

Website: www.pacificseeds.com.au