Solutions in Water
Issue No. 44 - December/January 2008
Biocentral offers agribusiness boost
Breakthrough water retention product AquaBoostAG is having the long struggle for recognition that frustrates many innovators.
The product - developed by Product Development Director, Geoffrey Turley of Mile End-based enterprise, Biocentral Laboratories – gives farmers the means to keep irrigation water at the crop root zone longer, saving water and fuel.
“Our research into the agricultural market indicated there was no liquid polyacrylamide available that was easily usable. Emulsions are inherently ugly to mix and certainly not applicable to drip and sprinkler-fed irrigated crops,” says Biocentral Laboratories MD,
John Stepancic.
“A one-product-fits-all application was the initial goal but in the process of our R&D we discovered different soils required modified blends, so now we have three: AG30 AGNWS and AGFB.”
John points out the AquaBoostAG liquids are water retention agents, not wetting agents. The difference is marked.
“AG slows the infiltration process of the water as it moves through the soil profile.
Wetting agents modify the surface tension of water, facilitating better penetration, but better penetration lets the water keep moving through the soil, carrying nutrients past the root zone faster,” John says.
“AG30 is the only patented product of its type to guarantee trouble-free delivery through drippers, centre pivot or boom spray. These pretty much cover all soil types and have been applied across t...
