What is Nutri-Grow®?

Nutri-Grow® products are plant nutrients or fertilizers containing phosphorous acid as the source of phosphorus for plants. Previously, commercial fertilizers used only phosphoric acid as a source of phosphorus.

What formulations are available?

Nutri-Grow® Magnum 2-40-16 is available in quarts and gallons.

Nutri-Grow® Injectable 0-14-13 (designed for treatment of trees) is sold in a box of 25 microinjection units containing 15 mls of nutrient solution in each unit.

What's the difference?

Phosphorous acid is significantly more water soluble and therefore more quickly taken up by plants as phosphites.

Is this something new?

The use of phosphorous acid as a fertilizer has been used in many parts of the world for several years. However, Dr. Carol Lovatt at the University of California, has patented a use that when combined with certain proprietary ingredients, provide remarkable responses in a variety of plants.

What kind of responses?

For instance, applications to citrus and other flowering trees at critical times during the season, result in more flowers, larger fruit, higher sugar content and reduced spoilage after harvest. Applications to greenhouse ornamentals result in faster growing plants, increased root mass, generally more vigorous and healthy plants and reduced mortality. In professional turf such as golf courses, grass has a significantly larger root mass and more vigorous stem and leaf growth, reducing the need for pesticide applications as the plant is able to out-compete certain weeds and ward off certain pathogens. In addition, turf treated with Nutri-Grow® appears to withstand stress from traffic better.

Is this work on-going?

The initial University studies were conducted by plant physiologist Dr. Lovatt. This work continues. In addition, Mr. Nigel Grech, a visiting plant pathologist from UC Riverside, has joined BIAGRO as Director of Research and Development. His work which is truly global in scope, is expanding to cover the uses of Nutri-Grow® outside of traditional agriculture such as golf courses, sod farms, lawn and gardens, greenhouse and field grown ornamentals.

Where else have these products been tested in the United States?

Testing of phosphorous acid as a plant nutrient is being conducted at various University Experiment stations such as Penn State University, Washington State University, North Carolina State, Texas A & M, University of Florida, University of Kentucky and others. In addition, there have been large commercial growers who have done extensive testing prior to their using these products.

What are the real benefits to a greenhouse grower?

The real benefits include quicker growth in the critical early life of plants and a stronger healthier root mass.

What are the real benefits to an ornamental grower?

Benefits for the ornamental grower include stronger roots, heavier flowering, earlier maturity and a healthier plant.

Is it safe to use on all ornamentals?

No phytotoxicity has been reported on any ornamental plants treated with Nutri-Grow® products. By the end of 2002, approximately 7 million acres of agricultural crops have been treated. No phytotoxicity has ever been reported.