Tank Mixing MetaGrow Microbes with Fertilizers, Fungicides and Pesticides

MetaGrow microbes are durable

Microbes in stasis (all MetaGrow products) are protected from high temperatures (up to 120°F), freezing, high osmotic pressures, extreme pH, caustic materials and chemical toxicities. MetaGrow microbe products can be mixed with most ag chemicals while in stasis.

Actively respiring microbe products — those with a short shelf life or that require refrigeration — do not have protective coatings and suffer high mortality if mixed with synthetic fertilizers.

Microbes in stasis wake up

When food and habitat conditions are suitable, microbes in stasis wake up very quickly. If mixing microbes with microbe food or organic fertilizers, the mixture must be applied within 24 hours (preferably within 8 hours), as the microbes will wake up with exposure to food.

Synthetic fertilizer mixing

Synthetic fertilizers are typically not suitable habitat for microbes — they are too extreme in pH, caustic, high in osmotic pressure or toxic — so the microbes stay in their protective stasis.

Some successful fertilizer mixes tested at 50% concentrations include UN32, 8-4-10, 10-34-0 and K thiosulfate.

Jar test mixes first

1. 1

   Mirror the production mix

   Use the same mixing order and concentrations as the intended production mix.

2. 2

   Seal it for 2 to 3 days

   Let the mix sit in a sealed plastic bottle for 2 to 3 days at room temperature.

3. 3

   Check for swelling or odor

   If the plastic bottle becomes swollen from off-gassing or has a bad smell, the test indicates the microbes woke up and are no longer stable.

4. 4

   Test viability

   If the bottle is not swollen, do a further test to determine whether the microbes are still viable: dilute the mixture with water 10:1, feed with MFOOD^™ or fish hydrolysate, stir and leave the top open.

5. 5

   Look under a microscope

   After 24 hours, evaluate the microbes under a microscope. If the microbes are active, the mix is successful. If they are ruptured or inactive, they are incompatible.

Fungicides and pesticides

Most foliar-applied fungicides and pesticides (not systemic ones) have only minor effects on soil microbes. Do not tank mix more than 24 hours prior to application (preferably less than 8 hours).

MetaGrow tank-mix compatibility list

If you have questions regarding other chemical compatibilities, call SGS at (916) 284-9706 and we can figure it out.