Tree crops
At Biostart, we support growers with biostimulants that activate naturally occurring soil and plant microbes – because we believe that healthy biology is the best solution to your growing problem.
What do you grow?
Select your crop below to find out how to use our products on your crop and how our products have worked for other growers like you.
If your crop isn’t included below, please contact us and we will help tailor a solution specifically for you.
Our biostimulant products are compatible with nutritional and pest and disease control products so can be easily added into your current growing programme.
Avocados
Apples
Almonds
Stonefruit
Citrus
Our range for tree crops
Mycorrcin
Improve soil health by activating beneficial soil microbes and mycorrhizal fungi. Certified organic version available.
Foliacin
Foliar spray for improved plant health and resilience. Certified organic version available.
Digester
Decomposition product for faster plant breakdown and nutrient recycling. Certified organic version available.
Avocados
How we can help
We have developed targeted programmes using our products to get the most from your avocado trees. We can help with establishing your orchard, with the quality and quantity of your avocados, helping plants stay resilient through times of stress and coping with different soil problems you might encounter.
Evidence
 |
Avocado Trial Mycorrcin speeds up establishment and enhances root development Read more |
 |
The Orchardist, August 2021 Edition Just Avocados orchardists are being advised to use Biostart’s biological range to ensure they have optimal biology in their orchards. Read the article |
How to use our products
Our standard programme
Our standard avocado programme is designed to improve soil and canopy health.
| Product | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mycorrcin |
Prior to root flush apply Mycorrcin via fertigation at 2L/ha. In other months apply 1L/ha/month Mycorrcin via fertigation. |
Apply 1L/ha/month Mycorrcin via fertigation. | Prior to root flush apply Mycorrcin via fertigation at 2L/ha. In other months apply 1L/ha/month Mycorrcin via fertigation. |
Apply 1L/ha/month Mycorrcin via fertigation. |
Foliacin |
Apply Foliacin at 1L/ha/month. Foliacin can be co-applied with most cover sprays. | Apply Foliacin at 1L/ha/month. Foliacin can be co-applied with most cover sprays. | Apply Foliacin at 1L/ha/month. Foliacin can be co-applied with most cover sprays. |
Notes
For best results apply Mycorrcin to moist soil and/or water in.
Mycorrcin can be mixed and applied with most herbicides and liquid fertilisers.
Foliacin can be mixed and applied with commonly used fungicides and liquid fertilisers.
In times of high stress increase rate to 2 L/ha.
Our planting and replanting programme
To help your plants get established and cope with the stress of being planted or replanted, we suggest. the following approach.
| Product | Timing | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
Prior to planting | Apply Mycorrcin 2 L/ha with weed spray to the planting area. |
| At planting | Apply 1 L of 1:100 Mycorrcin to the planting hole and plant the tree. |
Our rescue programmes
If your plants are stressed here are a few things we have to help you out.
| Product | Timing | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
During periods of stress | 10 L/ha sprayed onto the soil when plant is under stress. Then start the standard Mycorrcin programme. |
| Foliacin |
During periods of stress | 2 L/ha in a minimum of 500 L of water. Then 1 L/ha every 10–14 days with crop protection sprays and/or nutritional sprays. |
Apples
How we can help
Our biological programme for apple orchards ensures rapid orchard establishment, meaning you can harvest your first crop sooner. This is due to the programme improving the soil, which creates bigger, better shaped apple trees with more extensive root systems.
Healthier trees also mean better quality apples (including dry matter percentage, colour and flavour) and optimal yields. Other benefits include higher nutrient uptake by the tree, and more resilient plants during environmental stress, and longer fruit storage.
Our soil programme also benefits the orchard by remedying soil compaction problems by repairing soil aggregate formation and increasing carbon sequestration which helps with soil aeration and drainage.
Evidence
 |
Apple and pear trial sheet This trial sheet covers two trials that ran in Victoria, one looking at the effect of Mycorrcin on a newly planted Sassy apple orchard and one on the effect of Foliacin on a commercial Piqa Boo Pear orchard. |
 |
Royal Gala Apples Mycorrcin was used in a Hawkes Bay apple orchard, resulting in 12% more apples at the first major commercial harvest – amongst other benefits. Read more |
 |
Ambrosia Apples Biostart products were trialled in an apple orchard in Havelock North from planting for three years, results include increased tree height, trunk cross-sectional area and more. Read more |
 |
SweeTango Apples A three-year trial was held in Hawkes Bay apple orchard on SweeTango trees. The results included a 60% increase the number of feathers per tree. Read more |
How to use our products
Our standard programme
Ground application programme suited for heavier soils
Apply Mycorrcin at planting for rapid orchard establishment and then regularly over spring, summer and autumn for improvements in tree architecture and fruit quality and yield. In established orchards a regular Mycorrcin programme assists with root growth, soil health, fruit set, fruit yield and fruit storage.
Digester applied in autumn assists with carbon and nutrient recycling.
Foliacin is applied regularly to the foliage with cover sprays, to improve fruit set and size.
| Product | Green tip | Tight cluster | Fruit set | Colour change | Leaf fall dormancy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
Apply 4L/ha. | Apply 6L/ha on to the soil. | Apply 4L/ha on to the soil. | |||
| Foliacin |
Apply 1 L/ha with fungicide or nutritional sprays. | From Fruit Set to Harvest: Apply 1 L/ha every 2–3 weeks to foliage with fungicide or nutritional sprays. Apply 5–6 L over the season. | ||||
Digester |
Apply Digester 4 L/ha over leaf litter and prunings to the soil. | |||||
Notes
Mycorrcin and Digester can be mixed and applied with commonly used herbicides and liquid fertilisers.
For best results apply Mycorrcin and Digester to moist soil and/or water in.
Foliacin can be mixed and applied with commonly used fungicides and liquid fertilisers.
Aim to apply 5–6 L Foliacin/ha over the season at 2–3 week intervals. In times of high stress increase rate to 2 L/ha.
Our standard fertigation programme
For growers using fertigation suited for lighter soils
Apply Mycorrcin at planting for rapid orchard establishment and then regularly over spring, summer and autumn for improvements in tree architecture and fruit quality and yield. In established orchards a regular Mycorrcin programme assists with root growth, soil health, fruit set, fruit yield and fruit storage.
Digester applied in autumn assists with carbon and nutrient recycling.
Foliacin is applied regularly to the foliage with cover sprays, to improve fruit set and size.
| Product | Green Tip | Tight Cluster | Open Cluster | Fruit set through to Harvest | Leaf fall dormancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
Fertigate 4 L/ha | Fertigate 1.5 L/ha | From Fruit Set to Harvest fertigate 1.5 L/ha every 4 weeks | ||
| Foliacin |
Apply 1 L/ha with fungicide or nutritional sprays. | From Fruit Set to Harvest apply 1 L/ha every 2–3 weeks to foliage with fungicide or nutritional sprays. Apply 5–6 L over the season. | |||
| Digester |
At leaf fall apply 4 L/ha on to the soil. |
Notes
Mycorrcin and Digester can be mixed and applied with commonly used herbicides and liquid fertilisers.
For best results apply Mycorrcin and Digester to moist soil and/or water in.
Foliacin can be mixed and applied with commonly used fungicides and liquid fertilisers.
Aim to apply 5–6 L Foliacin/ha over the season at 2–3 week intervals. In times of high stress increase rate to 2 L/ha.
Our planting and replanting programme
To help your plants get established and cope with the stress of being planted or replanted, we suggest. the following approach.
| Product | Timing | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
Prior to planting |
Apply Mycorrcin 2 L/ha with weed spray to the planting area. Soak roots of all the plants for planting in a large container of 1:100 Mycorrcin (10 mL/1 L per plant) solution for 20 minutes. Then add 1 L of 1:100 Mycorrcin to the planting hole and plant the tree. |
Our rescue programmes
If your plants are stressed here are a few things we have to help you out.
| Product | Timing | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
During periods of stress | 10 L/ha sprayed onto the soil when plant is under stress. |
| Foliacin |
During periods of stress | 2 L/ha in a minimum of 500 L of water. Then 1 L/ha every 10–14 days with crop protection sprays and/or nutritional sprays. |
| Digester |
For heavy disease over-wintering, cut-out diseased orchards | 6 L/ha in a minimum of 200 L of water applied over leaf litter to the soil. |
Almonds
How we can help
Our biological programme for almond orchards ensures rapid orchard establishment, meaning you can harvest your first crop sooner. This is due to the programme improving the soil, which creates bigger, sturdier trees with more extensive roots that take up more nutrients. Healthier trees means higher nut set and total nut and kernel yield. Other benefits include more resilient almond trees during environmental stress such as drought or flooding.
Our soil programme also benefits the orchard by remedying soil compaction problems by repairing soil aggregate formation and increasing carbon sequestration which helps with soil aeration and drainage.
Evidence
 |
Long-term trial of Mycorrcin on NSW Almond Orchard The three-year trial compared five products in side-by-side trials conducted by Elder’s. Mycorrcin-treated trees had the highest nut set, nut count and kernel yield per tree. The Biostart programme produced an extra net $611/ha over the three-year trial, this is an equivalent return on investment of 97%. Read more |
How to use our products
Our standard almond programme
| Product | Timing | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
Green tip | At Green Tip fertigate 4 L/ha, can be added to herbicide spray. |
| Tight cluster to harvest | After first application up to harvest fertigate 1 L/ha every 4 weeks. | |
| Foliacin |
Fruit set to colour change | Apply 1 L/ha with fungicide, insecticide or nutritional sprays at 21 day intervals until harvest. Aim for 4-5 applications over the season. |
| Digester |
After harvest | After harvest apply 4 L/ha on to the soil. |
Notes
For best results apply Mycorrcin and Digester to moist soil and/or water in.
Stonefruit
How we can help
Our soil programme also benefits the orchard by remedying soil compaction problems by repairing soil aggregate formation and increasing carbon sequestration which helps with soil aeration and drainage.
Evidence
 |
Cherry Technical Sheet If you want to find out how Mycorrcin and Foliacin can be used in your orchard and see you can reduce cherry splitting and cracking, as well as improving storage – download our flyer. |
 |
Cherry Trial Sheet We pitted Foliacin against a competitor’s product to see which had the greater impact on cherry cracking and yield. You can read all of the details in our flyer. |
How to use our products
Our standard programme
In established orchards a regular Mycorrcin programme assists with root growth, soil health, fruit set, fruit yield and fruit storage.
Digester applied in autumn assists with carbon and nutrient recycling.
Foliacin is applied regularly to the foliage with cover sprays, to improve fruit set and size, improve late season leaf retention and to prevent fruit splitting/cracking.
| Product | Bud swell | Petal Fall through to Harvest | Leaf Fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
At Bud Swell apply 6 L/ha on to the soil. | From Petal Fall to Harvest add 2 L/ha to all herbicide applications. | |
| Foliacin |
From Petal Fall to Harvest apply 1 L/ha every 2–3 weeks to foliage with fungicide or nutritional sprays. Apply 3–5 L over the season. | ||
| Digester |
Before leaf fall apply 4 L/ha Digester on to the soil |
Notes
Mycorrcin and Digester can be mixed and applied with commonly used herbicides and liquid fertilisers.
For best results apply Mycorrcin and Digester to moist soil and/or water in.
Foliacin can be mixed and applied with commonly used fungicides and liquid fertilisers.
Aim to apply 3–5 L Foliacin/ha over the season at 2–3 week intervals.
In times of high stress increase rate to 2 L/ha.
Our rescue programmes
| Product | Timing | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
During periods of stress | 10 L/ha sprayed onto the soil when plant is under stress. |
| Foliacin |
During periods of stress | 2 L/ha in a minimum of 500 L of water. Then 1 L/ha every 10–14 days with crop protection sprays and/or nutritional sprays. |
| Digester |
For heavy disease over-wintering, cut-out diseased orchards | 6 L/ha in a minimum of 200 L of water applied over leaf litter to the soil. |
Our planting and orchard establishment programme
Apply Mycorrcin at planting for rapid orchard establishment and then regularly over spring, summer and autumn for improvements in tree architecture and yield.
| Product | Timing | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
Prior to planting |
Apply Mycorrcin 2 L/ha with weed spray to the planting area. Soak roots of all the plants for planting in a large container of 1:100 Mycorrcin (10 mL/1 L per plant) solution for 20 minutes. Then add 1 L of 1:100 Mycorrcin to the planting hole and plant the tree. |
Our cherry cracking programme
| Product | Timing | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Foliacin |
Apply between flowering and harvest | Three applications of 1 L/ha, at a minimum of 14 day intervals. |
Notes
Foliacin can be mixed and applied with commonly used fungicides and liquid fertilisers.
Citrus
How we can help
Other benefits include greater nutrient uptake by the tree, and more resilient plants.
Our soil programme also benefits the orchard by remedying soil compaction problems by repairing soil aggregate formation which helps with aeration and drainage.
Left: untreated. Right: Mycorrcin-treated.
Soil from a citrus grove at Redland Orchards in Lake Boga, Victoria, Australia.
Left: untreated. Right: Mycorrcin-treated.
Soil from a citrus grove at Redland Orchards in Lake Boga, Victoria, Australia.
How to use our products
Our standard programme
For improved soil and canopy health
Apply Mycorrcin at planting for rapid orchard establishment. In established orchards apply Mycorrcin in early spring and before the spring and autumn root flushes to enhance root growth.
Foliacin, is applied regularly during the season to improve leaf health and fruit set.
| Product | August to mid-September | Mid-September to October | November to December | January to April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-bloom | Flowering and initial fruit set | Stage I Fruit Growth | Stage II Fruit Growth | |
| Mycorrcin |
Apply 4L/ha Mycorrcin with herbicide application. | Prior to the October root flush apply 6L/ha Mycorrcin. | Apply 2L/ha Mycorrcin with herbicide applications. | Prior to the February root flush: Apply Mycorrcin at 4L/ha. |
| Foliacin |
Apply Foliacin at 1L/ha/month. Foliacin can be co-applied with most cover sprays. | Apply Foliacin at 1L/ha/month. Foliacin can be co-applied with most cover sprays. | Apply Foliacin at 1L/ha/month. Foliacin can be co-applied with most cover sprays. |
Notes
For best results apply Mycorrcin to moist soil and/or water in. Mycorrcin can be mixed and applied with most herbicides and liquid fertilisers.
Foliacin can be mixed and applied with commonly used fungicides and liquid fertilisers. In times of high stress increase rate to 2 L/ha.
Our citrus fertigation programme
For improved soil and canopy health
| Product | August to mid-September | August to mid-September | Mid-September to October | November to December | January to April |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floral induction to fruit harvest | Pre-bloom | Flowering and initial fruit set | Stage I Fruit Growth | Stage II Fruit Growth | |
| Mycorrcin |
Apply 1L/ha Mycorrcin via fertigation. | Apply 1L/ha/month Mycorrcin via fertigation. | Prior to the October root flush apply 2L/ha Mycorrcin via fertigation. | Apply 1L/ha Mycorrcin via fertigation. | Prior to the February root flush: Apply Mycorrcin via fertigation at 2L/ha.In other months: Apply Mycorrcin via fertigation at 1L/ha. |
| Foliacin |
Apply Foliacin at 1L/ha/month. Foliacin can be co-applied with most cover sprays. | Apply Foliacin at 1L/ha/month. Foliacin can be co-applied with most cover sprays. | Apply Foliacin at 1L/ha/month. Foliacin can be co-applied with most cover sprays. |
Notes
For best results apply Mycorrcin to moist soil and/or water in. Mycorrcin can be mixed and applied with most herbicides and liquid fertilisers.
Foliacin can be mixed and applied with commonly used fungicides and liquid fertilisers. In times of high stress increase rate to 2 L/ha.
Our rescue programmes
If your plants are stressed here are a few things we have to help you out.
| Product | Timing | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Mycorrcin |
During periods of stress | 10 L/ha sprayed onto the soil when plant is under stress. |
| Foliacin |
During periods of stress | 2 L/ha in a minimum of 500 L of water. Then 1 L/ha every 10–14 days with crop protection sprays and/or nutritional sprays. |
| Digester |
For heavy disease over-wintering, cut-out diseased orchards | 6 L/ha in a minimum of 200 L of water applied over leaf litter to the soil. |
Ready to get started?
Contact us for personalised advice or find out where you can buy Biostart products: