TerraPulse: 'From two to six cuts of grass in one year'
Terrapulse: a rich composition of organic material and minerals
The solution? “Good soil biology,” says Notermans. This means that the soil is able to convert organic matter into humus. A soil with sufficient humus has such a water and oxygen balance that it remains moist in dry periods and can absorb heavy rainfall. This makes it necessary to irrigate fields less often, reduces the risk of leaching and therefore reduces dependence on weather conditions.
The most important product with which growers increase mineral availability and thus create greater returns is the soil enhancer TerraPulse from Den Ouden PHC. TerraPulse consists of organic materials, minerals and various micro (organisms). This composition ensures that organic material in the soil is converted into humus.
What is Terrapulse?
Terrapulse is a product consisting of: Fulvin, fermented grape must, rock flour and (micro)organisms. Fulvin is a natural chelator released from humus, fermented grape must provides a microbial boost and rock flour is powdered natural stone that is full of minerals that plants need. Various (micro)organisms such as bacteria and fungi ensure the breakdown of organic material into humus.
TerraPulse: ‘Van twee naar zes sneden gras in één jaar tijd’
Consuming organic material instead of preserving it
Break down organic material? Wait a minute, this means that organic matter is not preserved in the soil. “That's right,” says Notermans. “Growers generally think it is important to preserve organic matter. But it's the other way around.” The more organic matter is broken down ('consumed'), the more humus is created in the soil. Humus, in turn, is an important factor in good soil biology: it contributes to CO2 fixation, provides a source of nutrition for soil organisms and helps retain nitrogen in the soil. This creates the water and oxygen balance that is balance.
Notermans explains this situation using a recent practical example. Using a Chroma analysis, he calculated the effects of TerraPulse when applied by Veehouderij de Gouw. The conclusion: 0.3 percent decomposition of organic matter resulted in an increase in nitrogen stock of 600 kilograms in the soil. For De Gouw livestock farming, this meant a significant boost in yields. Until 2018, the livestock farmer had had little grass production for four years due to a shortage of humus in the soil, a maximum of two cuts per year. After using TerraPulse, the yield was six cuts of grass in 2019. Moreover, irrigation was only necessary once that year.
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This practical example shows an important feature of TerraPulse. “It is a long-term solution,” says fellow cultivation advisor Arjan Kuppens. “An organic cultivation method using TerraPulse is an investment whose results are visible to growers a year later.” To emphasize the importance of this investment, Kuppens compares it with the investment in the use of fertilizer. “Growers who do not take care of their soil biology are faced with impoverishment of their soil. They compensate with more and more fertilizer. Especially with the current price increases, this ultimately costs more effort and money than growing organically.”
The conclusion? Now is the time to switch to using TerraPulse. This is an investment that ultimately gives a greater return than a soil depleted by fertilizer. The solution for soil impoverishment does not lie in chemistry, but comes from nature
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