ON SOLID GROUND VIDEO SERIES NOW AVAILABLE
Conversations about the science that underpins RLF products
On Solid Ground is a series of eleven conversational videos covering the important science-based principles that underpin the development of RLF crop nutrition fertilisers. RLF’s Communications and Media Consultant Carol Phillips talks with Plant Physiologist and Head of Technical Dr Hooshang Nassery about what the science tells us about plant nutrition.

The 11 videos are:

No. Title
1 Plant Nutrition and Why it is Vital
2 Why you can’t get Maximum Yield without Crop Nutrition
3 The Benefits of Bigger Root Growth
4 The Practice of Integrated Fertiliser Management
5 The Role of Phosphorus
6 The Function of Low pH in Foliar
7 Seed Priming or Imbibing
8 New Technology RLF Products
9 Achieving Economic Return for the Farmer
10 Modern Farming Fertiliser Practice
11 Bringing New Products to the Market

Downloadable presentations and/or a printed fact sheet and summary of each of the presentations is also available.

Best Picks

No. 4
The Practice of Integrated
Fertiliser Management

Increased yield outcomes of between 5% – 15% can be expected from this modern farming fertiliser practice. It is an innovative and economical way of thinking about crop needs and optimal fertiliser balance.

Utilising all three nutrient pathways, in a balanced and timely way is sound and sensible practice.

In fact evolutionary science tells us that the first nutrient pathway for all plants was through the leaf (not the soil), because all plants were aquatic in nature. Foliar fertilisers therefore make full use of the leaves’ ability to quickly absorb the nutrient load for the immediate use of the plant.

IFM is a proven practice and has delivered outstanding results for all crop types over many years.

No. 6
The Function of Low pH
in Foliar

Understanding the role of low pH in foliar products is an important issue for farmers and growers.

This is a particularly complex subject, and the science is quite intricate – but in dot point form this is how it starts to
be understood:

  • hydrogen ion, abundant in a low pH product, binds with the negative charge of the cell wall
  • nutrients from the leaf need to pass the leaf free space in order to move and get into the cell
  • low pH foliar products will neutralise negative charges
  • low pH helps energy saving and assists with more sugar loading into the phloem

The low pH between root and leaf must be carefully managed for optimum outcomes for the plant.

This is an important science-
based topic.

No. 9
Achieving Economic
Return for the Farmer

There are several ways in which economic growth can be achieved for the farmer. One is with soil sustainability and less leeching, which is important for the environment, especially in light soils. Another is increased yield as a result of Integrated Fertiliser Management and the additional income that is generated. Yet another being the crop and economical benefit received from cutting back fertiliser use. Then there is the extra root growth that returns to the earth to play it’s part in building natural soil fertility. By increasing rhizosphere activity, you can actually increase humus in a matter of week or two. And it’s the humus that holds the nutrients
and water.

So many benefits can be achieved for the farmer by thinking about new ways, based on scientific principles, to approach crop nutrition needs.

The series has been developed to enable farmers everywhere to draw knowledge and understanding about the technical aspects of RLF product development and why the benefits so confidently expressed can be expected.

It is not a matter of faith, or good luck. It is a matter of science.