Putting ‘moisture’ down the spout
A new soil conditioner is proving to be a gamechanger for farmers and allows water for irrigating to go further.
“Clever” science is helping farmers and growers get more bang for their soil moisture buck. UPL NZ Otago Southland Regional manager Tom Mcdonald says the answer is chemistry. But, he adds, “It’s the ‘soft’ stuff. It’s easy to apply, safe to handle, and, importantly, there are no residues. It’s very clever science that’s good for people, plants, and the environment.”
A corn starch-based, super absorbent, Zeba stores water, then releases it when plants need it. Each Zeba granule can hold up to 400 times its own weight in water and, with a high cation exchange capacity, it is able to positively interact with soil nutrients. That keeps both water and nutrients where the plant roots need them most. Crop growth is maximised, and growth checks minimised.
Zeba also supports soil microbial communities promoting a more sustainable environment.
For farmers, growers, and contractors, Zeba offers a level of soil moisture management that hasn’t been available before – other than by using irrigation.
Tom says it is that kind of breakthrough.
“Zeba is a way of making water from irrigation go further and last longer – providing cost savings. And for dryland systems, it’s potentially a huge boost.”
Applied down the spout at sowing,
Zeba helps get seedlings off to a great start. Mcdonald says that stage of production is where Zeba has a lot to offer. “Establishment is a critical time, especially in high-value crops like forage brassicas, cereals, lucerne and beet. They need all the help they can get.”
“Just as we’ve got used to using treated seed, Zeba is, ultimately, going to be another valuable tool that we won’t even think twice about including.”
He also says though relatively new to New Zealand, Zeba is well accepted in dry areas of countries including Australia, South Africa, and India. “And, that’s what you’d call a real test.” And he says, in New
Zealand, it is already proving its worth.
While he acknowledges Kiwis are not always the earliest of adopters, he says the double threat of climate change and a forecast El Niño weather pattern could reward those who do embrace the new product. “Essentially, you get more yield for less water, and that can be a big saving.”
Mcdonald says Zeba will recharge when there is additional moisture before eventually breaking down. “It recharges with extra rain or irrigation, though performance will diminish in five to six months.
“Zeba is not a long-term solution in a crop. But for getting seedlings out of the blocks it’s an excellent start.”
Locally and globally, water has generated heated debate. Zeba has the potential to contribute positively.
“Along with the costs of irrigation
- which, like everything else, are rising you’ve also got to think about concerns over the environment, particularly depleted aquifers, and water restrictions in some areas. Zeba can help build resilience.”
“When you consider Zeba can also reduce the amount of irrigation and has the ability to support soil aggregates and the microbiome, that’s a pretty significant contribution to helping farmers and the environment.”
If the forecasters have got it right, our summer will be dry. Mcdonald says that could mean Zeba has arrived just in time. Talk to your local Technical
Field Representative or UPL for more information on Zeba.
“When you consider Zeba can also reduce the amount of irrigation and has the ability to support the microbiome, that’s a pretty significant contribution to helping farmers and the environment ”
Exempt from registration under the ACVM Act 1997. Non-hazardous.