The Science of Ecotain®
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The Science of Ecotain®
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Restrict - Ecotain® environmental plantain
The presence of Ecotain® environmental plantain plants in the soil reduces nitrate leaching by restricting the amount of leachable nitrogen in the soil.
Soil (restrict)
International work demonstrates that the incorporation of leaf material from plantain into soil has a significant effect on the nitrogen cycle.
For a period of 28 days nitrate accumulated in soil incubations was lower for soils containing plantain material than the control soils without any plantain material. Secondary plant compounds were suggested as a likely cause of this effect.
Verhagen et al. 1995 reported plantain plant roots suppress nitrification to some extent. Other mechanisms are currently being investigated.
Put simply, research suggests that growing Ecotain environmental plantain modifies the nitrogen cycle in the soil, thus reducing the risk of leaching.
References
Inhibitory effects of Plantago lanceolata L. on soil N mineralization
Dietz, M., Machill, S., Hoffman, H.C., & Schmidtke, K. (2012)
Competition for ammonium between plant roots and nitrifying and heterotrophic bacteria and the effects of protozoan grazing
Verhagen, F.J.M., Laanbroek, H.J., & Woldendorp, J.W. (1995)
Ecotain Partnerships
With the goal of developing a forage-based product to reduce N leaching from livestock systems, the Callaghan-Funded Greener Pastures Project, led by Agricom, collaborated with Lincoln and Massey Universities, as well as Plant & Food Research to research and develop a highly effective and practical solution to N leaching for NZ farmers - Ecotain®
To know more about the science of the Ecotain & how it can fit your farm system, get in touch with your local Agricom rep.