Nursery and Greenhouse

Although organic fertilizers have been used for millennia in agriculture we are long way from understanding what beneficial or detrimental impacts they may have on plant production. One reason for this is that very little systematic scientific research has ever been conducted on the impact of these materials on plant growth and productivity. Omega Protein has invested a significant sum of money to carry out research with scientists at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada to evaluate how OmegaGrow fertilizer may be best used in Agricultural production. The rendering of menhaden fish leaves behind a soup-like liquid that is concentrated into fish emulsion (FE) and is sold as OmegaGrow and OmegaGrow Plus. In laboratory studies it has been established that FE added at 2-4% (v/w) to potting medium suppressed fungal diseases that destroy plant roots, including diseases caused by pathogenic fungi such as Pythium and Rhizoctonia. At these rates the FE also provides all the nutrients the plants require for up to 4 weeks. Although the growers only paid for the nutrient value, plant protection was added at no additional charge.

FE applied as a spray to tomato and pepper foliage at rates of 0.5-1.0 (v/v) on a weekly basis reduced bacterial spot lesions on both leaves and fruits of tomato and pepper. More often than not both fruit quality and total yields were increased. Even after dozens of field trials yield decreases or plant damage was never seen even when rates of 8% FE (v/v) were applied.

FE was also applied to soils used for potato production. The soils used had very high levels of pathogens that caused Verticillium wilt, black spot, and potato scab. In most cases all the diseases were reduced in a significant manner in virtually all soils tested. The rates required however, may not be cost effective if FE is applied on a broadcast basis but may be very cost effective if delivered though drip tape. Addition of FE boosted yield beyond what could be explained by the level of nutrients added in micro plot tests.

In muck soils FE was found to enrich populations of bacteria that are well known biological control agents, particularly Burkholderia species. Whether this is a primary mechanism by which FE acts to control substrate and soilborne disease will need to be determined.