Choosing to mix OMRI listed Rootshield® Granules in your soil or media before planting ensures that your new plants will have their developing roots protected against root damaging fungi like Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Thielaviopsis and Cylindrocladium. You may use any soil mix (compost, bark, coir, or peat) or a soil-less mix – Rootshield® Granules are compatible with all. You can also top-dress existing beds and extend root protection by a second application at transplant or after 10-12 weeks. Use with seeds, bulbs, cuttings, and woody propagation.
The active ingredient in Rootshield® Granules is a patented fungus, Trichoderma harzianum strain T22, that itself attaches to and grows on the new roots, effectively forming a protective barrier against root-rotting pathogens. Once applied to the growing medium, the spores germinate within a day and actively seek roots and any plant pathogen. After 24 hours, it cannot be leached out of the soil medium. In addition, the fungus actively attacks and kills any pathogens it encounters. The fungus will actively grow with and protect the roots if the soil pH is maintained between 4-8 and the temperature is between 48° - 97° F. It remains effective for approximately 10-12 weeks and can be re-applied at half the initial rate to extend root protection in the field or when transplanting to a larger container.
There are several other advantages of Rootshield® Granules. Its cost is less than 2 cents per 6-inch pot. Its shelf life is 6 months at room temperature (50° - 77° F), 9 months refrigerated (40° F), or 12 months frozen (below 32° F). Best of all, it can be used in rotation with a variety of insecticides, rooting compounds, growth regulators, some fungicides and other beneficial biologicals like Root Maximizer.
Application rates and blended shelf life:
Small volume: 3 Tbsp. / cubic foot of potting soil
Large volume: 1.25-1.5 lbs. / cubic yard of mix, or a minimum of 120 lbs. per truckload of mix (100 cubic yards).
Established beds: 1-1.5 lbs. / 1000 sq ft, when the soil warms to 48º F.
In-Furrow soil treatment: apply with a granular applicator at the rate of 5-12 lbs. / acre. Apply at seeding or as a side dress to established crops.
Trees, Shrubs, other transplants: apply to the planting hole at the rate of 0.2-8 ounces and incorporate into the planting soil or soil mix.
After blending into your growing medium, shelf life is 12 weeks frozen at 5º F, 20 weeks refrigerated or room temperature (40° F - 77° F), and 8 weeks at 100° F.
See label for more crop-specific information. Click to view Rootshield OMRI certificate.
Conditions:
Grows between pH 4-8
Environment:
Outdoors, Crops, Orchards & Vineyards, Nursery, Greenhouse, Grow Room, Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Interiorscapes, Container Plants, Houseplants
Pests and IPM
This product works as a biological control for the following: Fusarium (Fusarium)