Replacing Fungicides with Nutrition: Our Quart-Quart-Quart Approach for Resilient Crops
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 isn't just about feeding the plant — it's 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 is essential for strengthening 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 in plant cells)
- Balances sugar traffic, reducing excess apoplast sugar that fuels fungal colonization
- We apply a clean, 4% water-soluble form at low dilution for safe, even coverage
Calcium - Ca 7%
Calcium deficiency often flies under the radar—but it's crucial for any crop fighting off infection.
- Tightens cell membranes and reduces leakage of plant exudates that attract pathogens
- Promotes early reproductive strength and tip integrity in ears, pods, and heads
- Helps buffer sap pH upward, especially when nitrate or ammonium levels are high
- Delivered in a complexed, plant-available acetate form for fast uptake
Understanding Fungal Pressure & Timing: What Sets the Stage?
Fungal diseases don't just "happen." They thrive under predictable conditions — and smart nutrition can help 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 can't always control the weather — but you can control the host.
When to Apply This Foliar Mix for Best Results
Timing is everything. Apply before fungal pressure peaks — not after. That means watching for:
- Extended dew periods (especially >6 hours overnight)
- Upcoming rain or irrigation after dry periods
- Low sap pH (<6.2), signaling weak internal resistance
- Heavy vegetative growth (soft tissue = open door for fungi)
- Approaching reproductive stages (pollen, silks, bloom—all vulnerable windows)
Suggested Application Windows:
| Crop | Growth Stage | Quart Mix Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Corn | V4–V8, Pre-tassel | Before canopy closes, before 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. It often means:
- Nitrates or ammonium are oversupplied
- Calcium and boron aren't moving well
- Fungal pathogens see a chemical "open invitation"
A healthy sap pH (6.4–6.8) is a sign the crop is managing nitrogen properly, resisting stress, and maintaining cellular integrity. Our foliar mix helps push sap pH back into the resilient zone, fast.
Why Not Just Use Fungicide?
Fungicides can be effective — but at a cost:
- Kill beneficial organisms on the leaf and in the soil
- Disrupt plant metabolism and slow growth if mistimed
- Can lead to resistance in fungal populations
- Don't correct the root cause (weak nutrition, unbalanced growth)
Our approach builds immunity from the inside out.
Final Word
If you're spraying after fungal symptoms appear, you're already behind. With this balanced foliar program, we're not just preventing disease — we're hardening the plant, strengthening structure, and giving the crop what it needs to win on its own.