Spudman January 2023 - 15

A full season approach to optimized yield & quality
H
ealthy root systems are a key to
success in any crop. They are " the
plants digestive system " , according to
Bio Gro founder Peter Aleman. " Roots
are about surface area. More root mass,
especially fine root hairs, give the plant
the ability to access the water and
nutrients it needs, when it needs them "
This fact has been a guiding principle
of Bio Gro's " Grow Roots, Pump
Nutrients, Drive Photosynthesis "
philosophy for 30 years. While
applicable to any crop, it is especially
true in potato, a plant with high
nutrition needs but a weak root
system relative to many other crops.
" It's a multipronged approach. "
says Aleman. " We look at the soil
tests, listen to how the grower uses
fertilizer and we make sure that we
have enough nutrients to finish out
and grow a quality, high-yielding crop.
We get technical, down to the variety,
seed quality and, specifically, how we
grow and manage roots. "
Bio Gro specializes in combining
biological components - organic acids,
plant extracts, amino acids and humic
substances - with mineral nutrition to
optimize plant performance.
Early in the crop cycle, these
combinations stimulate both vesicular
arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) and
beneficial bacteria that colonize
Dr. Mir Seyedbagheri
the rhizosphere. This supports and
protects new root growth, which in
turn improves nutrient uptake.
As the season progresses, the
focus turns to foliar and waterrun
applications to lengthen and
strengthen the photosynthesis period.
According to Aleman, maximizing
photosynthetic function generates
root exudates that further support
plant health and soil fertility
functions. " Healthy crops build heathy
soils " , he says. " We look at the soil and
think about how the major nutrients
are going to act in your soil. Then,
we can adjust the way you apply
the fertilizer and add the biological
elements that build healthy roots. "
It is an approach that resonates with
Peter Aleman (right)
Bio Gro's Director of Research, Dr. Mir
Seyedbagheri. Dr. Mir, as he's known - a
Professor Emeritus at the University of
Idaho - first came across Bio Gro in the
early '90s while researching the impact
of humic acids on nutrient efficiency. He
was impressed with the performance
of Bio Gro formulas, and eventually
met Peter Aleman through a mutual
industry contact. The two bonded over
a shared passion for soils and agronomy
as well as philanthropic endeavors
and have maintained a personal &
professional relationship ever since.
Humic acids have been an area of
particular expertise for Seyedbagheri,
taking him around the world throughout
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his career as a researcher and speaker.
As a respected agronomist in his own
right, though, it was Bio Gro's overall
approach that convinced him to join
the company in 2021.
" We tailor to growers' needs and
we listen to them, " Seyedbagheri
said. " It doesn't matter if it's a small
grower or a grower with 10,000
acres; we treat them the same. "
" Bio Gro has a systems approach,
meaning we don't just sell products " ,
he says. " We do water analysis, we
do a soil analysis, we identify all the
problems, and we look at the missing
link for growers. Once we understand
the soil and the challenges, we apply
that analysis to cover all the specs of
soil, water, and plant relationships. "
In his role as Director of R&D,
Dr. Seyedbagheri supports Bio Gro's
field staff and farm clients with
technical training and connections to
the scientific community. He relishes
the personal connections, which is
what makes Bio Gro unique to him.
" We tailor to growers' needs and we
listen to them. It doesn't matter if it's a
small grower or a grower with 10,000
acres; we treat them the same " .
For more information about
Bio Gro, visit www.biogro.com
http://www.biogro.com
Spudman January 2023

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