About

This view, which is widely taught in agricultural colleges, espouses that all matter in soil, whether from weathered mineral fractions, decayed plant and animal residues or manures must decompose into specific inorganic mineral fractions such as phosphate, nitrate, etc. before a plant is able to absorb the mineral nutrient. Thus, as this reasoning goes, hydroponic and conventional field fertility practices are merely by-passing the organic and mineral decomposition stage to supply the plant directly with the mineral fractions plants require for growth. However, Resh’s supposition, which has been widely adopted, is directly contrary to the plethora of research conducted prior to World War II. Research that proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that plant root systems directly absorb complex, whole organic molecules and incorporate these molecules, molecularly unchanged into plant tissues. This extensive historical research is critical to a correct understanding of how to optimize hydroponic growing system. It makes it clear that there are significant and profound physiological differences between organically grown plants and those grown by conventional hydroponic or field agricultural methods. These differences aren’t just theoretical. Anyone who takes a tour of a conventional hydroponic tomato greenhouse and then views an organic soil greenhouse operation can see the differences in plant color, the nature of plant growth, the development, and the definitive differences in plant tissue texture. However, even more importantly from an economic perspective, there is a dramatic difference in the taste and smell of the organically grown crops. These discoveries prompted a whole new perspective and research direction into plant culture, plant nutrition, and the kinds of natural/organic fertility input products that might encourage plants to grow organically in a soil environment. In organic soil culture, the plant system is driven by the biology of the soils micro-organisms. Any truly organic plant culture must create an environment favorable to the growth and development of beneficial microbiological soil organisms. Many organic programs however, only consider the plant’s nutritional needs (applying conventional nutrient input strategies to organic material inputs), independent of the needs of the soil organisms that work in association with the plant root systems. As a result, this undermines the integrity of the soil, the soil micro flora, the plant root system and ultimately the crop desired to be grown. Plants grown in an organic soil develop a very different kind of root system than plants grown in hydroponic or conventional soil culture. The nutrient and water uptake with organically grown plants differs from plants fed with soluble inorganic fertilizers. Alex Podolinsky, a Biodynamic grower, author, and lecturer from Australia has noted the differences in conventional fertility input practices and organic practices. He observed that natural, humus fed plants have two kinds of root systems, one that provides water for the plant and one that takes up nutrients in the form of humus colloids. He notes, plant water up-take is performed by the thicker fleshier roots and in humus fed plants nutrients are extracted from the soil by the fine white root hairs. In contrast, he notes that in conventional soluble inorganic fertilizer programs, both water and fertilizer uptake occurs through the water root system. However, uptake of soluble fertilizers through the water roots causes an unnatural accumulation of fertilizer salts in the plant’s tissue. The plant attempts to compensate for the fertilizer salt accumulation via diluting the salts down by taking up additional water. But in so doing the pant takes up more soluble fertilizer compounding the problem. As a result, an unnatural cell expansion occurs with conventional inorganic fertilizer due the plant cell being bloated with excess water and the accumulation of un-metabolized fertilizer salts. Plants fed in this manner are lower in nutritional quality, have a lower shelf life and are more vulnerable to fungal diseases and insect attack. Unfortunately, this problem can also occur with organic farming too. Podolinsky identified that organic growers who use raw manures and other organic fertilizers may be supplying, just like conventional growers, soluble fertility inputs which are taken up by the water roots. The result is the same kinds of problems encountered in conventional growing methods with inorganic fertilizer programs. This researched and thoroughly field tested and proven perspective can dramatically change your yields and quality. The ideal organic fertility program is radically different from what is commonly practiced today. An accurate understanding of the actual nutrition mechanisms in play results in a more effective approach to plant and soil cultural practices. All Dominion Organics fertilizers, soil amendments and supplements are designed around this very different concept of fertility inputs to assist nature in growing strong, healthy, disease resistant, nutritionally dense food crops. This isn’t just abstract theory, proof can quickly be demonstrated. Test Dominion Organics products side-by-side with whatever you are using today. Like so many of our clients you will quickly discover your yield doubling, that you are winning awards for superior quality, and earning higher prices for your products.