Timing at a glance
When this applies
Berries, grapes and other fruit where sweetness, flavor and quality are priorities — because the timing and balance of nutrient availability is critical to high-quality fruit maturation.
When to make the decision
Set up the program with both soil applications (for example, drip feeding MetaGrow 5X+ monthly) and foliar sprays, and include MetaGrow MFOOD with each soil application.
What it’s designed to support
Timely, balanced nutrient availability and a thriving microbial community supporting fruit brix, sweetness and quality.
What brix measures
Brix is a measure of the dissolved solids in a liquid: 1 degree brix equals 1% sugar and other dissolved solids. A relatively high brix indicates a healthy, resilient plant and high-quality produce. Higher brix is particularly valued in fruit — where customers appreciate sweetness and flavor.
How microbes increase fruit brix
- Nutrients, as neededMicrobes help plants procure nutrients as needed. Calcium, boron, magnesium, iron, manganese and zinc are particularly important. The timing and balance of nutrient availability is critical to high-quality fruit maturation. We have found this is a “Plant Directed and Microbe Delivered” process.
- Biostimulants and metabolitesMicrobes produce a great variety of biostimulants, metabolites, enzymes, hormones and vitamins. Rather than trying to outsmart the plant and provide specific (expensive) compounds, you can trust microbes to perform these functions. Growers have demonstrated success with integrated biological fertility programs, which provide balanced nutrition and a highly diverse, thriving microbial community.
- In the soil and on the leafThese microbial pathways happen both in the soil rhizosphere and in and on the plant foliage (phyllosphere).
- Photosynthesis supportMicrobes support photosynthesis processes. When a plant captures more sunlight and produces more carbohydrates, it sends more of this energy to the soil microbiome via root exudates. In exchange, the microbes provide requested nutrients.
- Less stressA healthy soil microbiome also alleviates pressure from pathogens and abiotic stress. This improved plant health enables higher efficiency at procuring nutrients and expressing genetic potential.
Plant NutritionPlant Directed and Microbe Delivered
SGS recommendation
Apply MetaGrow 5X+ (or MetaGrow ST) broad-spectrum microbial inoculants, both to the soil and by foliar spray. Also apply microbe food — MetaGrow MFOOD — with each soil application, along with other microbial food sources including fish hydrolysate, seaweed and molasses.
| Component | Rate | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| MetaGrow 5X+ (or MetaGrow ST) | For example, 50 oz/acre MetaGrow 5X+ monthly | To the soil (for example, drip feeding) and by foliar spray |
| MetaGrow MFOOD | 0.4 lb/acre | With each soil application |
| Other microbial foods | — | Fish hydrolysate, seaweed and molasses |
Key takeaways
- Brix measures dissolved solids — 1 degree brix equals 1% sugar and other dissolved solids — and higher brix signals a healthy plant and high-quality fruit.
- Microbes deliver calcium, boron, magnesium, iron, manganese and zinc as the plant needs them, when timing matters most for fruit maturation.
- Microbes also supply biostimulants, support photosynthesis and relieve pathogen and abiotic stress.
- SGS recommends MetaGrow 5X+ (or MetaGrow ST) to the soil and foliage, with MetaGrow MFOOD at 0.4 lb/acre at each soil application.
Increasing Fruit Brix with Microbial Help
This page is adapted from the SGS PDF “Increasing Fruit Brix with Microbial Help” (© 2023), which remains the technical reference. The 1-page original is available to download, print and share.
Download the Original PDF (PDF, opens in a new tab)