Bio-Forge is a unique patented nutrient formulation containing Diformylurea. With its antioxidant properties, Bio-Forge works to maintain the genetic potential of plants, improve growth, and increase yield in a variety of agricultural crops.
Bio-Forge ® assists in maintaining healthy root tip development and limits the effect of stress ethylene production to allow better nutrient uptake, resulting in improved yields. It can be used in both preventative and curative situations, allowing growers the flexibility they need to react to plant stress.
When crops become stressed they produce excess ethylene, which upsets plant balance. Ethylene is a normal plant growth hormone produced in the cells, it holds the key function of controlling all other hormones within the plant. Although critical to plant functionality, excess levels of the gas, such as in a stress event, can cause premature cell death and plant damage. Keeping ethylene at a normal levels is critical to maintaining healthy growth in a crop and high yields at harvest.
The earlier the action is taken to regulate ethylene levels in a crop, the better resistance the crop will have when stress factors occur. The patented nutrient formulation of Bio-Forge® acts on the Dreb1A gene, which plays a role in drought tolerance. By upregulating this gene, other genes involved in resistance are upregulated with a cascading effect. Taking preventative action to reduce excessive ethylene by applying Bio-Forge ® results in greater future yields, profitability and quality produce.
Bio-Forge can also be applied after the crop has been affected by a stress event to restore normal growth functions. Bio-Forge® suppresses the effects of stress ethylene production on yield and has been designed to make sure plants keep growing and stay as healthy as possible during stress events.
There are some common indications that your crop may be under stress. These include:
Bio-Forge is part of a set of three unique speciality products: Bio-Forge®, Foli-Zyme and Zinc Chelate. Together, these products form Stoller’s stress program working to assist the plant in recovering from any stressors and restoring normal growth patterns. Click here to learn more about Stoller’s Stress program.
BIO-FORGE LABEL (PDF)
A demonstration was conducted at Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley to evaluate the benefits of a foliar application of Bio-Forge, before a heatwave, on vine health and wine grape quality. The Bio-Forge was applied 16 days prior to the first heat event for the 2017-2018 season in late November.
The summer period was particularly hot and dry with below average rainfall.
The trial site was supplementary irrigated.
One foliar application of Bio-Forge was effective in maintaining the overall health of Petit Verdot vines over a challenging growing season, while not only maintaining but also increasing the quality of wine produced from these vines.
Wine colour assessment samples were taken at bottling of the wine. The free anthocyanins (unstable colour) were higher in the treated wine but more importantly the pigmented tannin (stable colour) were much higher in the treated wine. This suggests better colour stability as the wine ages.
AWRI REPORT: “The Bio-Forge treated wine sample showed signs of greater colour development observed through increases in colour density, pigmented tannin and total tannin relative to the control. Whilst not significantly different, the treated Petit Verdot wine was noted as having deeper colour and greater development on the nose and palate by numerous panellists through sensory evaluation…”
The outcomes from this work will be improved this coming season with independently managed replicated trials that allow for seasonal variations and the evaluation of split application rates of Bio-Forge in other wine growing regions.
To read the full report, contact Stoller via email stoller@stoller.com.au or call 1800 337 845
