Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Microbes in Biosys, and what do they do?

There are 8 species of Endo Mycorrhizae in Biosys which help improve the plants access to available water in the growing media and improve the uptake of certain nutrients, most importantly phosphorus. Mycorrhizal fungi achieve this through a clever relationship; soon after germinating near a root, the mycorrhizal fungi invade the root tissue and establish exchange sites within the root cells known as arbuscules. These enlarged internal arbuscules allow the plant and fungi to interact, enabling the plant to feed the fungi sugars (manufacture in the leaves and translocated to the roots), and in return the fungi gathers water and nutrients through its fungal network that it spreads throughout the growing media, and transports them directly to the plant.

One aspect of the mycorrhizal relationship that is often overlooked, is the role of bacterial organisms that are now referred to as ‘mycorrhizae helper bacteria’. In Biosys we include some bacillus species and a nitrogen fixing bacteria called Azospirillum that are known to help the establishment and ongoing function of mycorrhizae.

The 8 species of Bacillus in Biosys are included not just for their properties in assisting mycorrhizae, but also for inhibiting the growth of potential pathogens, promoting root growth, solubilisation of locked up minerals and organic matter degradation for conversion to nutrition.

Biosys also contains another species of nitrogen fixing bacteria called Azotobacter, as well as Azospirillum. Both these micro-organisms live close to the root surface and take nitrogen from the air and turn it into a form the plants can use. These allow growers the oportunity to reduce their Nitrogen inputs into their growing systems.

There are also 2 species of Pseudomonas that help with degradation of complex organic matter and help with pathogen control. Some of the Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Nitrogen fixers are also classed as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, now commonly abbreviated to PGPR’s. These clever organisms have evolved to produce hormone substances such as cytokinins and auxins that the plant can use to promote certain growth functions such as root development!

Lastly, we have also included 2 species Trichoderma in Biosys. Trichoderma are beneficial fungi and are well adapted to degrading other fungi, particularly pathogens. Trichoderma are free living organisms that are great to have around the root zone for disease prevention as well as degrading organic matter.

Biosys also contains microbial catalysts and plant growth promoting foods – humic acids, amino acids, enzymes, yeasts, proteins, carbohydrates and seaweed extract.

When should I use Biosys?

For best results, use Biosys during the early propagation phase of your plants growing cycle. Re-apply at the first potting stage, and thereafter use every 1-2 weeks indoors and once a month outdoors. See above for more application info.