Breakthrough soil conditioner Zeba could be the answer to managing soil moisture and water-soluble nutrients (including nitrates) more successfully.
New from UPL NZ - soil moisture management support
Optimising water use is one of the hottest topics there is in New Zealand agriculture today. It’s a real pain point for farmers and growers and can also take a toll on the environment.
The availability of water is not a new challenge locally or globally. And that’s particularly true at the ‘pointy end’ of growing.
Getting crops established, especially in dryland systems, has traditionally been at the mercy of anticipated rainfall. And, even if rain came, parched soils could mean moisture uptake by crops wasn’t enough to get them over the line and thriving.
Rising costs, and increasingly tight water restrictions, also mean irrigation is not the panacea it was thought to be just a couple of decades ago.
Breakthrough soil conditioner
But a breakthrough soil conditioner could be the answer to managing soil moisture (and water-soluble nutrients including nitrates) more successfully. And without negatively impacting the environment.
Zeba from agricultural protection solutions provider UPL NZ Ltd is a patented, granular, bio-degradable, free flowing product that helps retain and regulate soil moisture.
UPL NZ Otago Southland Regional Manager Tom McDonald says Zeba increases the water-holding capacity of soil (field capacity) allowing crops to use the moisture in the soil that is held there longer by Zeba. “It might sound like a cliché but Zeba is a game changer, when it’s used appropriately.”
Tom says the product can decrease the amount of water needed for irrigation. And provides greater yields for less cost when rainfall is a limiting factor. He says the release of the product is timely.
“Zeba helps manage agriculture's water footprint and helps address water use and supply issues; those are front and centre for the sector right now. With an El Niño weather pattern forecast that also brings an added pressure on the horizon for farmers and growers.”
Tom says while relatively new to New Zealand, Zeba has performed well in arid areas of countries including Australia, South Africa, and India. And, he says, data from New Zealand is already compelling.
Holding moisture in reserve
Zeba activates when rain falls, or irrigation is applied, and has the capability to hold that moisture in reserve. “It increases soil’s nutrient and water holding capacity and it is easy to apply, down the spout, at sowing.
“Think of Zeba as an insurance policy. Much like the way you’d choose to use treated seed over untreated. It gives you extra certainty.”
Zeba enables farmers and growers to directly increase the efficiency of the water they use, along with improving soil nutrition, which benefits plants, soil, and the environment. As it’s biodegradable, Zeba leaves no residues behind.
Tom 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 5-6 months.”
Zeba is not all things to all paddocks or all farming systems. “Where Zeba especially comes into its own is when you’re looking at crop establishment, particularly for crops like forage brassicas, cereals, lucerne of beet, where you only really get one chance.”
“We’ve also had impressive results in the establishment of kale, following a crop of cereal. You can see a real difference between the Zeba-treated area versus the untreated.
Tom says larger scale irrigated arable and dryland farmers will not be the only ones to benefit from using Zeba. “For commercial growers, especially on a smaller scale, Zeba is an answer to their prayers. It means more yield for less water application. That can be a big saving!”
He says the product also has potential for growers of other specialist crops including high-value, small salad greens and other vegetables which don’t have a lot of time to establish strong root systems before harvest. “Zeba is an ideal tool in areas where you can’t use irrigation but want to retain as much moisture in the soil as possible, so crop growth can be maximised, and growth checks minimised."
Biodegradable and super absorbent
A corn starch-based super absorbent, Zeba stores water and 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, keeping both water and nutrients where the plant roots need them most. Tom says that helps address an urgent challenge for farmers and growers.
The unique starch content of Zeba also supports soil microbial communities promoting a more sustainable environment.
This year’s summer is predicted to be dry. So, if you want to retain as much moisture as possible, and get crops off to a great start, then contact your local technical specialist or read more here: Zeba
