Citrus orchard red sand soil comparisons, with treated soil on the right, untreated on the left.
Photo by
Jacqueline
Establishing a productive orchard quickly – while making the most efficient use of water – is a key priority for growers.
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Recent trials with the BioStart biostimulant program have shown it is possible to achieve both, with improvements in tree growth, structure, and water-use efficiency across avocado and citrus systems.
Citrus trials: growth, uniformity and soil performance
In citrus, a BioStart programe was implemented to enhance nutrient uptake, accelerate establishment, improve resilience to environmental stress (including heat and drought), and lift yield and fruit quality.
With irrigation systems in place, water use efficiency was also closely monitored.
A Victorian trial on red sandy soils showed faster establishment and improved tree structure.
At 15 months, treated trees recorded:
+5 per cent increase in trunk cross-sectional area.
+12 per cent increase in canopy width.
Improved tree uniformity across the block.
Changes in soil condition were also observed, including improved wetting and greater lateral water movement.
In this trial, Mycorrcin was applied monthly via fertigation at 1 L/ha.
Photo by
Jacqueline
In this avocado orchard, the Biostart treated row is on the left, showing greater uniformity and size when compared with the untreated trees on the right.
Afourer mandarins: Biostart-treated (left) and untreated (right, in a Victorian trial).
Mycorrcin works by stimulating beneficial soil microbial activity, improving soil structure, nutrient availability, and root development – supporting faster orchard establishment, increased soil carbon, and improved productivity.
Soil structure and water efficiency gains
A separate citrus trial in New South Wales, also on red sands, showed clear improvements in soil structure within 10 months of starting the program.
This trial combined:
Mycorrcin at 1 L/ha/month via fertigation
Foliacin, a foliar biostimulant, applied at 0.5 L/ha with cover sprays.
Foliacin supports foliar biology by enhancing the leaf biofilm, stimulating plant defence responses, and improving photosynthetic performance.
Soil monitoring revealed significantly higher and more stable moisture levels in treated areas.
Across the top 66cm of soil, moisture retention improved to the extent irrigation requirements could be reduced by as much as 33 per cent.
After 12 months, soil moisture readings showed:
20cm depth: 25 per cent (untreated) vs 35 per cent (treated) – +41 per cent.
41cm depth: 20 per cent vs 40 per cent – +97 per cent.
66cm depth: 34 per cent vs 56 per cent – +63 per cent.
In addition, soil moisture levels in treated blocks remained more consistent between irrigation events.
Other citrus trials have shown similar improvements in soil moisture within as little as three months.
Avocado trial: growth, uniformity and yield lift
An avocado orchard trial using BioStart Mycorrcin showed increased trunk cross-sectional area (TCA), reduced transplant shock, and higher early yields.
Mycorrcin was applied as a soil drench at a dilution of 1:150 (750 mL/100 L), at a rate of 2L per tree, two weeks after spring planting in 2018.
Applications were repeated during subsequent autumn and spring root flush periods through to 2021.
Tree height and trunk cross-sectional area were monitored across 36 months.
Treated trees showed a 15-25 per cent increase in TCA at 11, 23, and 36 months after planting.
They also displayed more consistent structure, size, and canopy development compared with untreated trees, which were smaller and less uniform.
The first commercial crop was harvested in 2021, with the treated block producing a 20 per cent higher yield and more uniform fruit size.
Following these results, the program was adopted across the orchard.
These results highlight the ability of the BioStart biostimulant program to optimise both soil and plant performance.
By improving soil structure, water infiltration, and moisture retention, orchards can establish faster and produce stronger, more uniform trees.
Importantly, these gains were achieved alongside significant improvements in water-use efficiency – up to one-third less irrigation required in monitored citrus systems on sandy soils.
For growers, this translates to earlier returns from better-developed orchards, improved resilience under variable conditions, and more efficient use of water and inputs.
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