Optimal soil aeration.
The compost phase of the BIOPONIX system is relatively thin, in the order of 12 centimeters (5 inches) thick. This in turn allows easy soil aeration, both from the top and from the bottom of the soil layer. Root aeration is greatly enhanced, as well as the oxygenation of all beneficial microbial life forms that can be added to the culture ecosystem either all at once, or on a regular basis, thus bringing a natural biomimicry principle that duplicates soil ecology in an off-ground container system.
Optimal living conditions for beneficial soil microorganisms.
This is an important aspect of the BIOPONIX system: most beneficial micro-organisms used in agricultural science for crop improvement are strict aerobes. Microbial species such as nitrogen fixers, phosphorus solubilizers or beneficial fungi of all kinds, like yeasts, molds or arbuscular mycorhizae, beneficial for plant development, will find their optimal living conditions in our culture recipient. Far from working alone or at random, those beneficial micro-organism populations will selectively establish a multipartite symbiotic relationship with the plant in their appropriate rhizosphere zone, for optimal results. The combined use of organic liquid plant nutrients and beneficial micro-organisms will generously compensate for a modest soil volume.
Optimal drainage of compost layer and water reserve.
The thin compost layer phase drains itself easily, even in the case of overwatering such as during heavy summer rains. As well, the water reserve itself is easy to empty through its lateral connecting pipes, thus allowing the gardener to have full control of water inputs or rain water effluents from the system.
Optimal root expansion: no more repotting!
Our patented concept of root-forming interface support element (RISE) in word and deed allows the roots of any given plant to grow and even thrive appropriately in the different rhizosphere environments provided by the system. This innovative aspect. eliminates the spiral root formation commonly observed in non copper coated traditional pot cultures. As a consequence, root and shoot growth are significantly enhanced through the establishment of a trophic cascade, in which the plant will invest most of its energy from photosynthesis in canopy growth, as proven by scientific data.
Probiotics and phytoprotection of cultures.
The combined use of beneficial fungi and naturally occurring rhizosphere bacteria that can be added to the compost phase on a regular basis, allows the creation of a unique soil-root barrier and specific ecosystem that is known to repel plant pathogens and root diseases, while encouraging optimal root nutrition and plant development. This probiotic concept is one of the most important aspects in organic agriculture.
Plants will gradually and naturally develop two sets of root systems.
Allowing plant roots to segregate through a moist and aerated interface layer will naturally encourage root differentiation into their nutrient absorption zone (upper thin compost phase) and their water absorption zone (bottom water reserve). As noticed earlier, plant nutrition and culture protection are further enhanced by the addition of beneficial micro-organisms in the soil compartment, thus reproducing what is found in nature. As a result of this biomimicking strategy, root and shoot growth are enhanced.
Double wall concept.
A double wall confers a double protection against heat and sudden desiccation. The fragile nourishing root hairs, mycorhizal filaments and beneficial fungal/bacterial populations are hence sheltered from the adverse effects of the hot rays of the sun that might hit thin plastic surfaces of conventional pot cultures.
Unique and distinctive exterior aspect.
The BIOPONIX concept can be adapted to any design of plant container. Our prototype itself, the BioTop planter, reminds the silhouette of a traditional clay plant pot, while visually suggesting the presence of the three rhizosphere zones (upper soil compartment/air-interface/ water reserve). Any elite horticulturist will be reminded at once of those associated benefits and outstanding performance for plant culture. As well, the positioning of a culture insert into a larger recipient allows the creation of a double wall. As mentioned earlier, a double wall means a double protection for the roots and their microscopic partners.
Overall increased performance.
The BIOPONIX system clearly outperforms the other systems, especially when growing certain plant species types. One will notice many positive trophic effects, such as increased root health and specimen vitality, significantly larger stem thickness, more vibrant leaf colors, and a greater resistance to soil borne disease as well. All of those clear and proven advantages come from the fact that there is indeed improved symbiosis between plant and soil microorganisms, through the highly recommended regular replenishing of rhizosphere microflora.
Simply put together, the BIOPONIX recipient is the IDEAL physical support for encouraging mutualistic symbiosis events between plant roots and their naturally occurring micro-biotic partners. All of those advantages allow any urban landscaper to create spectacular rooftop gardens and achieve urban agriculture goals that were thought to be impossible just a few years ago. Greenhouse agriculture, either conventional or organic, will yield any given crop grown from mineralized surfaces more efficiently than in full soil or conventional planters.
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