Replacing Fungicides with Nutrition: Our Quart-Quart-Quart Approach for Resilient Crops
Functional Nutrition for Fungal Prevention
Our go-to foliar mix:
- 1 quart NTS Dia-Life Organic (micronized liquid silicon)
- 1 quart B4 (plant-available boron)
- 1 quart Ca 7% (complexed liquid calcium)
Per acre, applied at strategic times based on crop growth stage, sap data, and weather outlook.
This is not just about feeding the plant — it is about shifting the entire plant-soil immune system.
Why This Mix Works
Silicon - Dia-Life Organic
Silicon is a frontline physical and chemical defense — especially under high humidity or leaf wetness conditions.
- Increases cell wall density, creating a mechanical barrier to fungal penetration
- Boosts systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and jasmonic acid signaling
- Reduces susceptibility to powdery mildew, rusts, and leaf spots
- Aids in leaf angle and wax development to improve drying time after dew or rain
- Contains boron to support reproductive structure formation
Boron - B4
Boron strengthens weak links in plant defense: sugar transport, calcium movement, and rapid cell division.
- Improves pollination and fruit set under stress
- Facilitates callose deposition, a natural wound sealant
- Balances sugar traffic, reducing excess apoplast sugar that fuels fungi
- Applied in a clean, water-soluble form for safe, even coverage
Calcium - Ca 7%
Calcium deficiency often goes unnoticed but is crucial for disease resistance.
- Tightens cell membranes and reduces leakage of plant exudates
- Promotes reproductive strength and tip integrity in ears, pods, and heads
- Helps buffer sap pH upward when nitrate or ammonium levels are high
- Delivered in a complexed acetate form for fast uptake
Understanding Fungal Pressure & Timing
Fungal diseases thrive under predictable conditions. Smart nutrition lets you get ahead of the curve.
The Disease Triangle:
- Susceptible host (stressed, unbalanced plant)
- Pathogen present (most are always present)
- Favorable environment (wet, warm, humid)
You cannot control the weather — but you can strengthen the host.
When to Apply This Foliar Mix
Timing is critical. Apply before fungal pressure peaks, not after. Watch for:
- Extended dew periods (>6 hours overnight)
- Rain or irrigation following dry periods
- Low sap pH (<6.2), signaling weak resistance
- Heavy vegetative growth (soft tissue vulnerability)
- Approaching reproductive stages (pollen, silks, bloom)
Suggested Application Windows
| Crop | Growth Stage | Quart Mix Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Corn | V4–V8, Pre-tassel | Before canopy closes, pre-rain/humidity |
| Soybeans | V3–R1 | Just prior to flowering and again before pod fill |
| Wheat | Flag leaf, boot | Pre-rain, especially in tight rotations |
Sap pH and Fungal Susceptibility
Low sap pH is a red flag:
- Nitrates or ammonium are oversupplied
- Calcium and boron are not moving properly
- Fungal pathogens sense a chemical “open invitation”
A healthy sap pH (6.4–6.8) signals nitrogen is balanced, stress is under control, and cells are structurally sound. This foliar mix helps push sap pH back into the resilient zone quickly.
Why Not Just Use Fungicide?
Fungicides can be effective — but at a cost:
- They kill beneficial organisms on the leaf and in the soil
- They can disrupt plant metabolism if mistimed
- Resistance can develop in fungal populations
- They never address the root cause of disease pressure
Our approach builds immunity from the inside out.
Final Word
If you are spraying after symptoms appear, you are already behind. With this balanced foliar program, we are not just preventing disease — we are hardening the plant, strengthening its structure, and giving the crop what it needs to win on its own.