We and the farmers are looking for ways to reduce the use of petrochemicals while still improving crop yields. Lad results show the results of HON® application in a more humid climate with rice as a crop.

The ST25 Organic Rice

ST25 rice variety was selected by us for the project. 

Where does ST25 rice come from?

ST25 rice is named where it is researched and produced in Vietnam. ST25 is Soc Trang 25. Soc Trang fragrant rice was studied for 20 years by engineer Ho Quang Cua with Dr. Tran Tan Phuong, master Nguyen Thi Thu Huong. The ST25 variety is a famous new aromatic rice line with many "premium" aromas. From seed selection to planting, we all adhere to the strict principles of organic rice production to produce clean, safe, and high-quality.

Prize

• World’s Best Rice 2019, Philippines: ST25 rice - using engineer rice variety Ho Quang Cua won the first prize in the title of "World's Best Rice 2019" in the Philippines.
• World’s Best Rice 2020, US: ST25 rice - using engineer rice variety Ho Quang Cua won the second prize in the title of "World's Best Rice 2020" in the US.

Project: Fertilizer Effect On St25 Rice

Results after applying HON® Organic fertilizer:

Comparison

✔  Increased crop yield 

• With Urea 20-20-20 = … per hectare  
• With HON® Organic = 17% per hectare

✔  Cost-effective

• With Urea 20-20-20 = 335 USD per hectare
• With HON® Organic = 350 USD per hectare

General

SKM is a mined product that contains an array of essential elements for both plants and animals. SKM contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, alum and sulfur, both elemental and  xidized
forms of sulfur. It also contains many micronutrients such as boron, cobalt, iodine, iron, manganese, zinc and selenium. Additionally, SKM contains rare earth elements that have been proven to increase plant growth.

Values

Rare elements have been used in China for many yearsto increase growth of livestock and more extensively studied per the following reference. [Re: “Rare Earth Elements in Agriculture with Emphasis on
Animal Husbandry” Dissertation, LMU Munchen: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Redling, Kerstin (2006)]. All of these micronutrients are considered essential for cattle with the exception of rare earth elements that are considered beneficial. Zinc is essential for proper immune development and function in both cattle and poultry. Poultry also require these essential micronutrients as well as sodium and chromium that are contained at very low concentration in SKM.  (Note that chromium was shown to be important in poultry glucose metabolism and increased egg production.)

Application

Based on years of observations by cattle and poultry producers SKM has improved growth. Arizona horse producers that applied sulfur to forage crops observed thicker and better color of temporary hair that is vital for protection against harsh elements and insects. Ranchers in Arizona also observed increased cattle hair coat density and color after the application of sulfur to forage crops. (Note that sulfur is converted disulfide and creates curly hair.) 

Results

These observations clearly indicate that the mineral composition of SKM is a beneficial supplement for poultry and livestock.

Jerald E. Wheeler, Ph.D. 

Bernie Stewart, Biochemist

About Dr. Jerald E. Wheeler

Jerald E. Wheeler, Ph.D. is a Plant Pathologist. For those who need a better explanation of what a plant pathologist does, here is a short definition. A plant pathologist is one who studies, interprets, and diagnoses diseases and abnormalities of plants. Plant Pathology is defined as the study of the organisms and environmental conditions that cause disease in plants, the mechanisms by which this occurs, the interactions between these causal agents and the plant (effects on plant growth, yield and quality), and the methods of managing or controlling plant disease. It also interfaces knowledge from other scientific fields such as mycology, microbiology, virology, biochemistry, bio-informatics, etc.

Educational background

BS. Purdue University, 1966, Agriculture and Plant Sciences

MS. U. of Arizona, 1969, Plant Pathology/Botany

Ph.D. U. of Arizona, 1970, Plant Pathology/Agricultural Biochemistry
1968-1970 U. of Arizona, In charge of plant disease clinic under Dr. Hine

Professional History

1970-1971 Assistant Professor of Plant Physiology, Univ. of Freiburg, Germany

1971-1973 Assistant Professor of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Arizona

1973-1975 Development Plant Pathologist, University of Wisconsin, Brazil

1975-1988 Owned and/or Managed Acre, Inc.

1988-2002 Product Development Manager, United Agri Products

2002-2004 Product Development Manager, Western Farm Service

2003-present Product Development Manager, Agriliance/Winfield Solutions

Dr. Wheeler has also been published with his writings in 17 Scientific Publications in refereed journals

April 8, 2021, Acre, Inc. Laboratory and Greenhouse, Tucson, Arizona

Background: High or alkaline water pH values are most often related to high concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate ions that tie up plant nutrients in water and the soil solution. Reduction of irrigation water pH by acids is of value because acids decrease the carbonates and bicarbonates. Carbonate (CO3-2) and bicarbonate (HCO3-) combine with calcium and magnesium that precipitate as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) as the soil solution dries.  When soluble Ca and Mg decrease relative to sodium, the sodium deflocculates clay colloids and reduces water infiltration into the soil. These reactions also increase the soil solution pH which is higher than the optimum pH values for root uptake of most plant nutrients.

Reduction of soil pH in alkaline pH soils is difficult because of the high concentration of carbonates, principally lime (CaCO3), that reacts with acids and acid-forming amendments.   Sulfuric acid and degradable sulfurs have been applied for many years as a way to increase the available calcium from reaction with calcium carbonate.   Trials were designed to determine the reaction of SKMAG in a calcareous soil with a pH of 7.55 and a high content of free lime. (Free lime is determined by the application of dilute mineral acids that cause a fizz from the evolution of carbon dioxide.  This test is referred to as the “fizz test” and relates to the carbonate content of the soil. Some soil test labs will provide the carbonate content.)

Materials and Methods: This trial used tap water that is also used for irrigation of crops. It has an alkaline pH of 7.48 and an electrical conductivity of 0.8 that is approximately 512 ppm of anions and cations. 

Preliminary Test: SKMAG was mixed at 1g, 5g, 10g, 20g and 40g, each per 100 ml of water.

Table 1. Irrigation Water pH Change from the Addition of SKMAG

SKMAG acidifies water.  This is a positive value for the application of SKMAG.

Irrigation Water pH Test: Irrigation water at ¼ inch per acre equals 67,885 gallons.  Irrigation water at ½ inch per acre equals 135,770 gallons per acre.  SKMAG was added at the equivalent rate of 500 lb. per acre and mixed with water at the equivalent irrigation rates of ¼ inch per acre and ½ inch per acre.  (Table 2)

Soil pH Test: Soil with a pH of 7.55 and a high free lime level was placed in beakers to a depth of 1 inch.  SKMAG was applied to the surface of the soil at an equivalent rate of 500 lb. per acre.   No SKMAG was applied to soil representing the untreated check.  Water was applied to treated and untreated soil to achieve at equivalent rates of ¼ and ½ per acre that simulates irrigation applications. (Table 3)

Table 2. The pH Decrease of Irrigation Water at the Equivalent Rates of 1/4th and1/2 Inch Per Acre from the Addition of the Equivalent Rate of SKMAG at 500 lb. Per Acre.

Table 2 demonstrates that there is a major pH decrease when SKMAG is mixed with water that has an alkaline pH and contains carbonates.  In time the water pH increased from the reaction with carbonates. This result indicates value of SKMAG because the initial pH was decreased.   

Table 3. Calcareous and Alkaline pH Soil (pH 7.55) Treated with SKMAG at an Equivalent Rate of 500 lb. Per Acre

This test demonstrates that SKMAG at 500 lb. per acre slightly reduces the soil pH of a high pH calcareous soil. The shift to a slightly lower pH occurred the first hour and is interpreted to be from the intrinsic acidic pH of the SKMAG. The pH at 24 hours shifted slightly higher. This shift is a known result and is based on equilibration of the soil solution contents over time. After 48 hours the soil has equilibrated to the initial pH. In some soils that are have less buffer capacity there may be a greater initial pH reduction from the application of SKMAG.    

Future Trials: Since SKMUF is applied to seed furrows there is a potential benefit during the first day that water is applied because the seed will imbibe water and more nutrients from the SKMUF at a lower pH.   Future trials will use peppers and corn seeds that receive in-furrow applications of  ½ and 1 lb. of SKMUF equivalent per acre.   Note that pepper seeds germinate very slowly compared corn seeds.

Early seed germination and growth will be determined.  Note that in other trials SKMUF has shown greater activity than other SKM products that contain larger particles.

Technical Information

Carbon dioxide in soils comes from the activity of microorganisms and from wetting the soil to increase the carbon dioxide intake from air.  This is why distilled water has a lower pH than 7.0. 

Carbon Dioxide: Depending on how long it has been exposed to air, the pH reading of distilled water can range anywhere between 5.5 and 6.9. As temperature increases, so does the ionisation of the water. This, in turn, increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution, making the pH more acidic. Carbon dioxide determines pH of pure water.

Technically the concentration of Hydrogen (H+) ions determines the pH. But in practice, there's something easier to conceptualize: the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in solution also determines the pH of the water. The most common source of acidity in water is dissolved CO2, so the more CO2 in the water, the lower the pH. This is because when CO2 becomes aqueous in water, a small portion of it converts to carbonic acid (H2CO3). The reaction looks like this:

CO2 (aq) + H2O → H2CO3 (aq)

Carbon dioxide + Water yields Carbonic Acid

Soil pH is more complicated because texture, water holding capacity, cations and rain water determine the pH.

General

SKM is a mined product that contains a variety of nutrients for both plants and animals. SKM is rich in potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, alum, and sulfur, both elemental and oxidized. It is also high in micronutrients such as boron, cobalt, iodine, iron, manganese, zinc, and selenium. 

SKM in the treatment of odor pollution

The use of SKM has resulted in a reduction in the odor of cow manure. The conversion of NH3 (volatile) to NH4 (non-volatile) from the alum reaction is one mode of action. Chemically, sulfur oxidation aids the fast conversion by supplying hydrogen ions that decrease the NH3 to NH4. Insects and diseases are also poisoned during the generation of NH3 before it is converted to NH4.

Another possible mode of action is postulated that it alters the population of microbes, especially those that produce volatile odor molecules. SKM when mixed with cow manure has shown a decrease in the number of flies. It is well known that cow manure contains many species of bacteria and fungi that are known to be parasites of fly larvae. All the microbes in cow manure require iron and several micronutrients.

Many other beneficial microorganisms in cow manure require the micronutrients found in SKM. Streptomyces griseus, an actinomycete that parasitizes fly larvae, is one example. It also produces chitinase enzymes, which fight nematodes and other diseases. Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium whose metabolites are widely utilized in agriculture, is found in cow manure and is a parasite of fly larvae.

The fungus, Beauveria bassiana, present in cow manure is used in agriculture to control white flies and other insects. B. bassiana is also a parasite of fly larvae.

Conclude

The Heart of Nature laboratory in Tucson has completed substantial trials showing the benefits of SKM to crop plants. The laboratory has also studied many beneficial microbes and plant pathogenic microbes. Future trials can be accomplished in this lab to determine the mode of action of SKM for the reduction of odor in cow manure and other manures used in agricultural crop production.

Jerald E. Wheeler, Ph.D. 

Bernie Stewart, Biochemist

About Dr. Jerald E. Wheeler

Jerald E. Wheeler, Ph.D. is a Plant Pathologist. For those who need a better explanation of what a plant pathologist does, here is a short definition. A plant pathologist is one who studies, interprets, and diagnoses diseases and abnormalities of plants. Plant Pathology is defined as the study of the organisms and environmental conditions that cause disease in plants, the mechanisms by which this occurs, the interactions between these causal agents and the plant (effects on plant growth, yield and quality), and the methods of managing or controlling plant disease. It also interfaces knowledge from other scientific fields such as mycology, microbiology, virology, biochemistry, bio-informatics, etc.

Educational background

BS. Purdue University, 1966, Agriculture and Plant Sciences

MS. U. of Arizona, 1969, Plant Pathology/Botany

Ph.D. U. of Arizona, 1970, Plant Pathology/Agricultural Biochemistry

1968-1970 U. of Arizona, In charge of plant disease clinic under Dr. Hine

Professional History

1970-1971 Assistant Professor of Plant Physiology, Univ. of Freiburg, Germany

1971-1973 Assistant Professor of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Arizona

1973-1975 Development Plant Pathologist, University of Wisconsin, Brazil

1975-1988 Owned and/or Managed Acre, Inc.

1988-2002 Product Development Manager, United Agri Products

2002-2004 Product Development Manager, Western Farm Service

2003-present Product Development Manager, Agriliance/Winfield Solutions

Dr. Wheeler has also been published with his writings in 17 Scientific Publications in refereed journals

OMRI LISTED is a well-known certification for any input material manufacturer, especially in the growing medium sector in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and worldwide. 

CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture) certification is important to agriculture and food in California, USA. Issued by the CDFA government agency, these certifications ensure safety, quality, and compliance with agricultural production and food processing regulations.