Microorganisms

Microorganisms, sometimes colloquially referred to as ‘microbes’, are microscopically small organisms with their own metabolism (with the exception of viruses) that are usually not recognisable as single individuals with the naked eye. Most microorganisms are unicellular organisms and are systematically categorised as bacteria, fungi, microscopic algae and protozoa.

The products ‘Vitalin Bioactive Pond Cleaner’, ‘Vitalin Trichoderma’, ‘Vitalin Mykorhizza’ and ‘Vitalin Biostimulator’ consist of pure strains of naturally occurring microorganisms. They are a valuable aid in horticulture for enriching soil life, combating other harmful microorganisms or rendering them harmless, as well as supplying nutrients and water to the plants. The company Vitalin Pflanzengesundheit GmbH, based in Ober-Ramstadt, has been our partner for many years and has done pioneering work in the propagation and standardisation of microorganisms. Their products are in demand worldwide and make a lasting contribution to the ecological improvement and enhancement of agricultural production sites.

Trichoderma and Mycorhizza belong to the order of fungi. They are found in the soil and live symbiotically with many plant roots. They receive substances from the plants, which they have obtained through photosynthesis, as food. In return, the mycorrhizal fungi give nutrients and water, which they have obtained through their long network of hyphae, to the plants. The trichoderma fungi in turn protect the plants from fungal pathogens by wrapping themselves around the roots like a second skin.

The pond cleaner consists of strains of microorganisms found in stagnant fresh water. They break down organic suspended particles that form in such stagnant water. In doing so, they take food away from the dreaded filamentous algae, which would otherwise overgrow a garden pond in a very short time and displace all other living organisms.

The biostimulator contains bacteria that release nutrients fixed in the soil, making them available to plants. Together with other valuable ingredients, soil life is improved, plant growth is enhanced and the plants grow healthier.

Here is more specific information on the respective microorganisms and how they act in nature in particular:

Mycorrhizae

Mycorrhizae is the symbiotic coexistence of plant roots and soil fungi. In this partnership, the fungus and plant are firmly connected at the root, with the fungus growing in the surrounding soil and absorbing water and nutrients, which it then releases to the roots. With its so-called fungal hyphae, the fungus is much more efficient than root hairs. Fungal hyphae form a network of very fine threads, called mycelium, which, starting from the stem cells of the fungus, grow through the soil of the plant connected to them. These extremely thin hyphae are elongated cell threads that grow very quickly, are very durable and capable of regeneration, and therefore have a much larger surface area than the plant roots. When they penetrate the soil, they release acids and enzymes, whereby nutrients are dissolved and absorbed into the hyphae together with water. In this way, especially poorly soluble nutrients such as phosphates or calcium are channelled into the root. In return, the fungus receives photosynthesis products synthesised by the plant, which the fungus needs for its development and growth. Many of these types of fungi form fruiting bodies on the surface, some of which we can then enjoy as edible mushrooms. Underground fruiting bodies such as truffles are also mycorrhizae.

Mycorrhizae usually form a lifelong symbiosis between the fungus and the associated plant. They have developed several times and in parallel in the course of evolution. As a result, there are many different fungi that form mycorrhizae with plants. A rough distinction is made between ectomycorrhizae, which attach to the surface of the roots, and endomycorrhizae, which penetrate the root tissue of the plant and become firmly anchored there. There are also many different mixed forms and plant-specific forms. Orchids, for example, cannot exist without mycorrhizae, as they usually live epiphytically on other plants without substrates and must be completely supplied with nutrients and water by the mycorrhizae.

Endomycorrhizae are mainly used in agriculture and ornamental plant cultivation. In most plants, these are mainly so-called arbuscular mycorrhizae. These penetrate the outer cell layers of the roots and form ‘tree-like structures’ there, so that nutrients and water can be exchanged directly in the cells over a large surface area. Only recently has it been discovered how to propagate these fungi, which are now of great benefit in agriculture and are used worldwide to promote growth and increase yields. Our ‘Vitalin Mycorrhiza’ is a mixture of various endo- and ectomycorrhizae that can be used for a variety of plants.

Mycorrhizae have played a major role in the development of many ecosystems. They were particularly irreplaceable in the development of many woodlands. Only through this symbiosis of plants and fungi could forests and soils develop in many regions that were previously too dry, too poor in nutrients or contaminated by heavy metals. In forests, a large number of trees of the same species are very often connected by a huge mycorrhiza, which not only supplies these trees with water and nutrients, but also represents a connection and a communication system between the trees. There are also tree species that form mycorrhizae with countless different fungi, which in turn form mycorrhizae with other tree species. The terms ‘common mycorrhizal networks’ or ‘wood wide web’ have been introduced to describe this. In addition to the exchange of nutrients and water supply, signalling molecules are also sent between the trees in this way to warn of parasites or drought. Around 95% of all plant species worldwide benefit from mycorrhizae. There are only a few plant groups that live without mycorrhizae, although these are mostly plants in extremely wet locations or in regions with extremely poor soils.

Trichoderma

Trichoderma fungi belong to the large genus of sac fungi (Ascomycota), which live in soil, plants, decaying plant remains and wood all over the world. They are regarded as important substrate replacers and as antagonists of other microorganisms. In nature, they play a major role in the upper soil layers penetrated by plant roots. Their hyphae grow into veritable fungal networks, the so-called mycelia, which act between the plants, other microorganisms and the soil.

By competing with other microorganisms, some Trichoderma species are used for biological pest control, where they are used as antagonists to phytopathogenic fungi. They naturally envelop and grow around antagonists of many soil and root diseases with their mycelium and thus prevent contact with the crop. In addition, Trichoderma fungi promote germination, root development, plant growth and flower formation. Many effects are based on the excretion of natural growth-regulating substances, which are a real power food for plants.

In vegetable cultivation, standardised Trichoderma preparations such as our ‘Vitalin Trichoderma’ can be used to combat diseases such as Botrytis (grey mould) or Fusarium and to reduce rot pathogens on the crop. Our ‘Vitalin Trichoderma’ consists of the species Trichoderma harzianum, which has an extremely fast and large hyphal growth. The plant-damaging phytopathogenic fungi are overgrown by the mycelium within a few hours and deprive the attacking fungus of its substances. Subsequently, the hyphae usually decompose quickly and thus become nutrients for the plant themselves.

Bioactive pond cleaner

The bioactive pond cleaner ensures permanently clear water. The filamentous and floating algae responsible for clouding the water are prevented from multiplying explosively as the nutrients are broken down by the highly concentrated mixture of microorganisms. The pond cleaner is harmless to fish, humans, other animals and aquatic plants and can also be used in swimming ponds without any problems.

Algae growth is a natural phenomenon in stagnant and almost stagnant waters. The reason for this is the input of organic material as a result of dying plant remains, fish and other creatures as well as over-fertilisation of adjacent agricultural land. The ‘Vitalin Bioactive Pond Cleaner’ contains a mixture of highly concentrated microorganisms that fulfil the following tasks to make the pond algae-free again:

·         Nitrate-degrading microorganisms break down the nitrate dissolved in the water (NO3-) into gaseous nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2)

·         Phosphate-fixing microorganisms fix the phosphates dissolved in the water

·         Substrate-degrading microorganisms break down organic material into water and carbon dioxide

In this way, the microorganisms present in this mixture break down the organic suspended particles. The microorganisms multiply much faster than the algae, which eventually die off due to the lack of nutrients. This process takes about 7 to 10 days, depending on the amount of algae and the size of the pond. The pond first turns green due to the dead algae and then gradually turns brown. In the following 7 to 10 days, the dead algae are broken down by the same microorganisms so that the pond is clear and algae-free again. The microorganisms then decompose themselves.

This process only works at water temperatures above 15C, as the microorganisms cannot work below this temperature. Normally, this process should be repeated every 3 to 4 weeks during the warm season, as algae growth will resume after the microorganisms have decomposed due to the renewed introduction of organic material into the pond.

Biostimulator

Vitalin Biostimulator’ consists of root and soil bacteria that produce enzymes and hormones that convert nutrients found in the soil, such as phosphate, calcium and others, into free water-soluble ions. In this water-soluble form, they are available to plants. This leads to a stimulation of root growth. The health and resistance of the plants are improved. Flowering vigour, growth and yield are also sustainably increased. The Biostimulator is completely non-toxic to humans, their pets and the environment.

Here is a summary of the advantages of the Biostimulator:

·         Faster growth and root growth

·         Improved water and nutrient uptake

·         Improved resistance

·         Improved flower formation, earlier and longer flowering, compact, healthy growth and better yield

The biostimulator contains various root bacteria as well as natural humic acids and algae extracts.

The products "Pond Cleaner", "Vitalin Trichoderma" and "Vitalin Mykorhizza" consist of pure strains of naturally occurring microorganisms.

Trichoderma and Mycorhizza belong to the order of fungi. They are found in the soil and live symbiotically with many plant roots. They receive substances from the plants, which they have obtained through photosynthesis, as food. In return, the mycorrhizal fungi give nutrients and water, which they have obtained through their long network of hyphae, to the plants. The trichoderma fungi in turn protect the plants from fungal pathogens by wrapping themselves around the roots like a second skin.

The pond cleaner consists of a strain of microorganism found in stagnant fresh water. Its speciality is the destruction of organic suspended particles that form in such stagnant water. In this way, they take away the food from the dreaded filamentous algae, which otherwise grow through a garden pond in a very short time and displace all other living organisms.