Root2Success

Agricultural productivity is enormously complex. The success of each crop grown on a field depends on countless variables, including climatic factors, nutrient and water availability, pest and disease populations, crop protection inputs, on-farm practices, and more. Since we cannot see what happens below ground, an additional obstacle for growers is that they have limited opportunity to inspect the quality of the plant’s root system during the growing season.

Root health and vigour are particularly important because roots play a crucial role in supporting plant health and crop yields. In fruits and vegetables, the health of root systems can affect yield and quality by 30-50%. A well-developed root network absorbs a greater volume of water and nutrients from the soil; it anchors the plant and protects it against the weather; it can store energy for growth; it interacts beneficially with a range of biotic and abiotic factors. But this does not happen automatically. Just as we pay attention to many visible indicators of foliar plant health, we must also work to secure the health of our plants’ roots, protecting them from pests, diseases, nematodes, and stresses.

Root2Success helps you grow better with a tailored solution specifically developed to promote root health, comprising a convenient package of seeds, crop protection products, biologicals, digital tools and other support services, curated at farm level. Improved root health maximises plant productivity, resulting in higher marketable yield for growers, while minimising environmental impact.

What makes Root2Success work?

While many products or practices can make a difference to root health in isolation, Root2Success is a holistic and integrated approach. It uses a full range of innovations to meet soil challenges on a localised, custom basis.

The Root2Success toolbox starts with maximising the synergism of soil beneficial microbes and plant roots. This can be achieved via a variety of methods, including Regenerative Agriculture principles of managing living ground cover and the use of high-performing biological products such as Serenade SOIL ACTIV. Complementing these practices, are a range of selective crop protection products. Depending on local conditions and backed up by research data, the program is designed to best fit grower needs. As such, growers might choose a combination of Serenade; Velum Prime, a selective nematicide (root & tuber vegetables); or Emesto Prime for control of Rhizoctonia solani fungi (potatoes only).

However, supplying customised product packages is only a half of the equation. Root2Success is also about using these products in the most efficient, sustainable way. That is why the concept also encourages the use of soil DNA diagnostic services such as Predicta Pt, so growers can customise their management approach based on the detectable presence of nematode & soil-borne disease populations.

Protect Crops and Defeat Nematodes with Velum Prime

Root knot nematodes are a major cause of yield and crop losses and pose a significant threat to crop health by attacking plant roots, causing nutrient depletion and poor growth. These tiny eel worms invade the soil and attack plant roots, leading to root galling, nutrient depletion, and poor plant growth. Velum Prime from Bayer offers a powerful solution to stop these pests. When applied to the soil, Velum Prime paralyses nematodes, preventing further damage and protecting the root system. This treatment ensures healthier root systems, promotes robust plant growth, and maximises yield production.