What
Pineapples is one of the crops that respond well to Bio organic farming practices. The crop is prone to have a high stubby root and root knot nematode damage, especially in sandy soils. Through the use of inorganic fertilizers, soils loose their carbon content and the important groups of microbes- predominantly bacteria - which were suppose to control the nematodes and diseases. This results in the crop getting stunted and nutrient deficient due to the lack of hair roots as the years goes by. The crop dies off earlier than it suppose to last resulting in a low yield in the third season. The soil microbiome become less diverse and unbalanced. Brix levels of the crop plummet and diseases and pest attacks happen.
How
The diverse microbial product SBM should be applied to the soil before planting of Pineapples. Monocropping is highly possible as the old crops residue can be incorporated with SBM at soil prep before planting new crowns. In situations were other crop residue can be incorporated like wheat straw or maize stubble, just as good. Organic matter or roots serves as food for microbes and several benefits plays out in the soil. With the right bacterial groups present, most carbon is captured in the soil. Root development is not only better but nematodes gets suppressed to benefit root penetration deeper into the soil resulting in higher yields. Organic nutrients become available and ph gets buffered. Soil compaction layers gets uplifted and water holding capacity improves as well as water penetration which results in less water runoff. Phosphates become dislodged and available. In this situations soil carbon percentage increases. The crop will stay much healthier for longer. Second and sometimes third applications of SBM later in growing season protect crop against reinfestations of nematodes and diseases. Apply 100lt SBM per ha in 3 applications. First application at 50lt SBM per ha with any organic matter incorporated. Then again at 60 to 80 days after planting, 50lt per ha. Thereafter 2 times every year.