Amazing Aminos – The Multi-Function Marvels

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Proteins are intimately involved in plant structure, enzymes and nutrient transfer and they are usually produced by the plant from nitrogen. This in an energy intensive process that is dependent upon a good balance of microbes and minerals. In this context, it is much more efficient if the 20 amino acids involved can be directly delivered rather than manufactured. Any energy sparing strategy is always beneficial but direct delivery of amino acids also serves to bypass the limitations of poor soil health. In short, soil problems are less limiting when you provide aminos for your crop.

The type of amino acid is important here. Only L-amino acids can be assimilated by plants while D-amino acids cannot participate in protein synthesis. The exciting new liquid amino acid concentrate, Amino-Max™, from NTS, features 40% hydrolised amino acids in this easily absorbed form.  Amino-Max™ contains almost 6% nitrogen and offers an exceptional organic N source (registered organic with the ACO). Nitrogen can be a major yield limiter, particularly in the winter months when nitrogen fixation grinds to a halt. The foliar application of concentrated amino acids at this time will help maintain production during the least productive season.

However, the multiple benefits of Amino-Max™ extend well beyond energy sparing, protein synthesis and a sought-after natural N source. This is an invaluable tool for all primary producers because amino acids are involved in so many plant processes, including the following:

Seven Reasons to Embrace Amino-Max™

1. Powerhouse chelation – amino acids are amongst the most powerful, natural chelating agents. Glycine is the smallest of the amino acids and it is widely considered to be the most effective at neutralising positively charged minerals and facilitating their uptake into the plant (chelation). Glycine can also increase membrane permeability to further facilitate absorption of minerals. Glycine is the most abundant amino acid in the new Amino-Max™ product from NTS.

2. Rescue Remedies – amino acids are directly related to stress physiology and they can be great tools to reduce the reduction in both yield and crop quality associated with high temperature, floods, frost, low humidity, pest pressure and hailstorms.

3. Stomatal Opening – the stomates are the tiny pores located on the underside of the leaves of most plants. They are designed to absorb CO₂ from the soil to fuel photosynthesis and they can also serve as entry points for foliar nutrition. In fact, they provide a direct route into the plant and this is a major reason that foliar fertilising is around twelve times more effective than soil fertilising. Stomates can open, like a mouth, to be up to seven times their normal size and several factors govern stomatal opening. Potassium is the mineral most involved in this process but there are also several environmental factors involved. When light and humidity are low and temperature and salt concentration are high, stomatal opening is restricted.  The metabolism of the plant slows and plant growth is compromised. L-Glutamic acid is a cytoplasm osmotic agent of the “guard cells”. This sounds like a bit of a mouthful but it basically means that this key amino acid facilitates stomatal opening. L-Glutamic acid is the third most abundant amino acid in Amino-Max™.

4. Improved pollination – pollination involves the transportation of pollen to the pistol to facilitate fertilisation and fruit formation. An amino acid called L-Proline boosts the fertility of the pollen while L-Glutamic acid, L-Methionine and L-Lysine increase pollen germination and the length of the pollinic tube. All four of these amino acids are found at good levels in Amino-Max™.

5. Photosynthesis Enhancement – this is the central process that drives production and profitability, so anything that boosts photosynthesis will improve your bottom line. Chlorophyll is the molecule that absorbs sunlight and drives photosynthesis. L-Glutamic acid and L-Glycine are fundamental metabolites in the process of chlorophyll formation and their foliar application can sponsor a lush, green, resilient crop. These two aminos are in high concentrations in Amino-Max™.

6. Microbe Health – beneficial microbes on the leaf surface (the phyllosphere) and those living around the plant roots (the rhizosphere) will be more productive when provided a supply of concentrated amino acids. L-Methionine, for example, is an essential growth factor that stabilises the cell walls of beneficial organisms on both the leaves and roots. In this context, Amino-Max™ is the perfect accompaniment with all microbial inoculums including compost teas and more concentrated, specialist products like Nutri-Life 4/20™.

7. Resilience and quality – L-Proline strengthens cell walls to increase resistance to unfavorable climatic conditions. L-Alanine, L-Valine and L-Leucine are involved in improving fruit quality and associated shelf-life. L-Histidine helps in the ripening of fruit. All of these important amino acids are abundantly supplied in Amino-Max™ from NTS.

In Conclusion

Protein drives production and proteins are made from amino acids. When they are provided in the L-form they can fast-track a variety of processes including photosynthesis, chelation, resilience, pollination and stress resistance. When applied to the soil they can also boost microbe health. Try Amino-Max™, the new amino concentrate from NTS, and discover how amino acids can increase your profitability while reducing your need for chemical intervention.

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