New Karrikaid™ soil enhancer taps into smoke’s natural power to boost plant development and soil productivity.
VGrid Energy Systems, a California-based clean energy producer, announces the launch of Karrikaid™, a new liquid plant and soil enhancer containing Karrikin molecules, recently found to play a significant role in promoting plant and soil productivity.
Over millions of years, plants have evolved to respond quickly after wildfires. A growing body of evidence suggests that Karrikin molecules, derived from plant smoke and first discovered in the early 2000s, are important signaling compounds that stimulate plants to regenerate quickly and vigorously in post-fire conditions. Karrikaid™ liquid helps mimic these conditions when applied to plants and soils.
Karrikaid™ also includes a synergistic blend of organic acids and compounds, providing several additional benefits. First, Karrikaid™ is a significant source of acetic acid, which helps improve the bioavailability of key plant nutrients such as iron, zinc, and manganese. Additionally, beneficial microbes metabolize the organic acids in Karrikaid™, enhancing the natural biology of the soil. Finally, Karrikaid™ includes phenolic compounds that aid in plants’ responses to biotic and abiotic stress, including excessive heat, drought, ultraviolet exposure, insects, pathogens, and heavy metals.
“At VGrid, we look to mother nature for solutions. Whether it’s creating clean energy from agricultural waste, sequestering carbon with biochar, or enhancing soil health with our organic bio-liquids, VGrid is on the cutting edge of environmental innovation,” said Jeff Norton, VP of Business Development. Norton adds, “The number of researchers looking at the benefits of smoke on plants is exploding. Study after study, and trial after trial, are showing outstanding results, specifically in supercharging seed germination, flowering, and early plant development. We want to be first-to-market in bringing these benefits to our customers with a natural, effective, and environmentally friendly product.”
