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As we face a season defined by uncertainty, from increasingly erratic weather patterns to rising disease pressure and higher input costs, the margin for error in crop establishment has never been smaller. International research and grower experience indicate that the root of resilient potato production often lies in the decisions made during the first few weeks of crop growth.
This has shifted the global focus to early root establishment and plant resilience, encouraging many growers to integrate biostimulants and nutritional products into their early-season programmes.
Roots remain the primary channel through which plants access water and nutrients, making early root development a critical driver of crop performance throughout the season. When potato plants develop a robust root system soon after emergence, they can establish a healthy canopy, maintain nutrient uptake under stress, and support consistent tuber initiation later in the growth cycle.
A vigorous root network enables plants to explore a greater volume of soil, access fertiliser inputs more effectively, and tolerate early-season stresses such as cold soils, uneven moisture, or transplant shock.
Build the foundation for yield
EZ Gro® stimulates early root development through a combination of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract, readily available nutrients, and fulvic acid, which together influence key physiological processes in young plants. Seaweed extracts contain natural bioactive compounds that promote cell division and elongation in root meristems, increasing root initiation as well as branching.
At the same time, the presence of essential nutrients supports early metabolic activity, while fulvic acid enhances membrane permeability and nutrient transport, allowing these elements to move more efficiently into plant tissues. When this combination is applied early in the crop cycle – shortly after emergence or during early vegetative growth – it can:
- Help grow more resilient potato plants.
- Develop greater root mass.
- Improve nutrient and water uptake.
- Establish uniform stands.
- Support consistent stolon and tuber initiation.
The efficacy of in-furrow application of EZ Gro® at planting (1 ℓ/ha) supports the role of early establishment as demonstrated in a commercial trial in the Louwna district. The results of this trial, illustrated in Figure 1, show that treated plants recorded an average dry root mass of 48.35 g per plant, compared to 20.45 g in the control, measured eight weeks after planting.
Preventative disease management
An important practical advantage for growers is that EZ Gro® has confirmed tank-mix compatibility with THHH-UN-DERRR, a green fungicide formulated from plant-derived antioxidants, including ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and salicylic acid. These compounds help to activate natural plant defence responses and support the plant’s immune signalling pathways, providing preventive control against diseases such as late blight.
In a season where unpredictability is becoming the norm, successful potato production will depend less on reacting to problems and more on preventing them from the outset. By prioritising early root development and integrating supportive nutrition with preventative disease strategies, growers can establish a stronger, more resilient foundation for the entire crop cycle.
Solutions such as EZ Gro® and THHH-UN-DERRR offer a practical, science-backed approach, enabling producers to maximise input efficiency, reduce risk, and secure more consistent yields under challenging conditions.
Always read the label before use. THHH-UN-DERRR L11557, Act 36 of 1947 (RSA). Active ingredients: ascorbic acid (20 g/ℓ) and salicylic acid (30 g/ℓ). EZ Gro® fertiliser group 3, Reg No M513. Hazard statements: highly flammable liquid and vapour; causes skin irritation; causes serious eye damage; suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
Registration holder: Nutrico SA (Pty) Ltd. (Co Reg No 2003/008663/07) Cedar Lake Industrial Estate, 1 Harvest Place, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, 1666, Gauteng, RSA. Tel: +27 (11) 392 4072.
For more information, send an email to info@nutrico.co.za or visit www.nutrico.co.za
