Australian Vermiculture, since the establishment of key partnership with Platinum Agricultural Services, has grown from strength to strength in uncovering the benefits of its products for growers particularly in intensive horticulture.

The company in conjunction with leading growers, horticultural researchers and soil microbiologists have begun uncovering findings behind the interaction of their worm casting based products particularly with issues such elevated levels of salt, the availability of phosphorus and the prevalence of soil borne pathogens in such intensive growing environments as Virginia on the Adelaide Plains.

Microbiology Laboratories Australia lead by Dr Ashley Martin and Dr Maria Manjarrez Martinez have been behind the laboratory work uncovering the interactions between Australian Vermiculture’s ProPell pelletised worm casting and Pythium. After ongoing successful field trials potatoes, Australian Vermiculture also began uncovering a correlation between the level of soluble P in the soil and the efficiency of their products.

Previous product trials in 2018 had observed levels of phosphorous mineralisation increase by up to 60 percent meaning with the use of Australian Vermiculture’s worm-based products could increase the utilisation of nutrients more effectively translating to greater plant health and yield. Given this research and more recent information coming to light about elevated levels, this stresses the findings being a significant change to how traditional practices were approached.

With Australian Vermicultures focus over the last three years being in vegetables in South Australia, in the wake of the devastating bushfires in the 19/20 the company has turned to investigating the effects of using worm-based products in encouraging the regeneration of soil biology post fire. The trials are all conducted using independent organisation with a mission of uncovering information and educating farmers on best practices when considering soil biology.

Australian Vermiculture envisions working with industry and growers to educate around best practice management of soil when considering soil health in intensive systems. The company understands the requirements of intensive agriculture and horticulture and the necessity of utilising fertilisers in optimising crop health. With findings in the pipeline, the company hopes to conduct education seminars in the 2020 summer and into 2021 through a transition to soil health program conducted in conjunction with Microbiology Laboratories Australia.