12th International AMALGEROL Conference 2023
ZUM PROGRAMM12th International AMALGEROL Conference 2023
Around 70 distributors, technicians and scientists from over 20 countries exchanged their latest experiences and results with AMALGEROL and AMALGEROL ESSENCE in experimental trials and farm practice.
From 03 - 05 October 2023, Managing Director Dr. Hanspeter Hueter welcomed more than 70 specialists from 20 countries to exchange experiences in Ljubljana and spoke about intensifying cooperation, expanding the product range and geographical expansion, as well as positioning AMALGEROL as a unique product.
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Programmdetails

Biostim Dynamics in the Market
Walid Saad, Hechenbichler GmbH, Austria
The global biologicals market, including biostimulants, is experiencing significant growth driven by regulatory changes, environmental concerns, and increasing demand for organic products. The biostimulants market is estimated at USD 3.3 billion in 2022, with Europe and Asia Pacific showing high growth rates and acid-based and extract-based ingredients being the most prevalent. Market drivers include the need for improved yield per hectare, rising precision farming practices, and increasing demand for tolerance to abiotic stresses.

Water Footprint, How Can we Give Less Water and Get Better Output from the Plant
Dr. Alejandro Pérez, Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Spain
Strategies for increasing water productivity in agriculture include deficit irrigation scheduling combined with technology and biostimulation, using monitoring of crop evapotranspiration, soil water status, and plant water status indicators. Research on apricot and nectarine trees demonstrates the effectiveness of these methods in reducing water usage while maintaining or improving yield. Trials on table grapes and almond trees show that deficit irrigation and biostimulation have positive impacts on root density, mycorrhization, yield, and fruit quality.

Updates on Regulation (EC) 2019/1009, Trial Management and AMALGEROL Academy
Dr. Jürgen Hacker, Bálint Bakondi, MSc & Dr. Elisabeth Grund, Hechenbichler GmbH, Austria
The presentation covers updates on Regulation (EC) 2019/1009, which is the new EU regulation for fertilizers including plant biostimulants, and its implications for product claims and trial requirements. Current focuses in trial management include international soil analysis, trait evaluation, and preparing for new EU biostimulant registration. Additionally, the AMALGEROL Academy provides training and knowledge sharing through seminars, webinars, and on-demand videos to support daily work with agricultural products.

Some Aspects of Interactions between Biostimulants and Plant Protection Products in Chemical and Biological Control of Plant Pests and Diseases
Prof. Dr. Mario Lešnik, University of Maribor, Slovenia
The interactions between biostimulants and plant protection products in chemical and biological pest and disease control are examined, emphasizing the transition to sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management. Trials on wheat and grapes demonstrate that biostimulants, specifically AMALGEROL ESSENCE, can be effectively combined with reduced dosages of conventional and organic pesticides, maintaining or even increasing yield and quality. The research emphasizes the complex relationships and potential synergistic or adverse effects of combining different agricultural inputs, advocating for a deeper understanding of these interactions.

AMALGEROL in Banana and Successful Knowledge Transfer
Walid Saad, Hechenbichler GmbH, Austria
Trials in Lebanon demonstrate that AMALGEROL ESSENCE improves banana production by integrating with new plantations, managing suckers, and optimizing nematicide use. Applying AMALGEROL ESSENCE twice during the initiation phase of new plantations stimulates root development and accelerates growth, while also rescuing weak or late-arriving suckers. Using AMALGEROL ESSENCE with a 50% reduction in nematicide resulted in a 25% higher yield and healthier bunches compared to untreated plots.

Exploring AMALGEROL ESSENCE: Hazelnut, Blueberries, Soybean Trials 2023
Dr.Sc. David Gluhić, Agro Expert d.o.o., Croatia
Trials conducted in Croatia in 2023 examined the effects of AMALGEROL ESSENCE on hazelnut, soybean, and blueberry crops. In hazelnut trials, fruit and kernel weights increased significantly with AMALGEROL ESSENCE application compared to standard technology. Soybean trials showed increased plant height, number of pods per plant, and yield per plant with the treatment, while blueberry trials demonstrated improvements in fruit weight and diameter.

Development of AMALGEROL on Fruits in Spain
Claudia Monllor, FMC Agricultural Solutions SAU, Spain
Spanish fruit markets show opportunities for biostimulant development, particularly in organic farming, which is experiencing significant growth across various crops. Trials on almond trees demonstrated increased production and improved flower viability and fruit setting with AMALGEROL application, while table grape trials showed enhanced root development, mycorrhization, and yield. In banana trials, AMALGEROL application resulted in increased trunk diameter and improved new plant formation, highlighting the potential for its use in diverse fruit crops.

Application of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria with AMALGEROL ESSENCE in Wheat
Aleksandar Metodiev, Hechenbichler Representation Office for Bulgaria, Romania & Moldova
Trials in various locations demonstrated that combining AMALGEROL ESSENCE with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in wheat cultivation resulted in increased yields compared to standard nitrogen fertilization alone. Specifically, reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilizer while adding AMALGEROL ESSENCE and nitrogen-fixing bacteria led to yield increases ranging from 1.2% to 15% across different sites. This approach aligns with the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU, which encourages organic fertilization and limits nitrogen application, and both AMALGEROL and AMALGEROL ESSENCE are included in the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency's register for fertilizers and biologically active substances.

AMALGEROL ESSENCE in Canada: Advancements and Trial Results
Logan Skori, PhD, Hechenbichler GmbH, Canada
Trials conducted across Canada in 2023 examined the effects of AMALGEROL ESSENCE on various crops, including canola, yellow pea, soybean, grapevine, cannabis, potato, barley, wheat, and lentil. Significant yield increases were observed in canola trials, and grapevine trials showed elevated Brix levels and earlier harvest times. New business opportunities were explored, such as in-furrow seed row injection and lawn and turf stress mitigation, with promising initial results.

Effects of AMALGEROL on the Efficacy of Products Containing Bacillus Subtilis
Dr. Zsolt Berecky, Saniplant Kft | Hungary
BioFil Ltd., a Hungarian R&D company specializing in bacterial soil inoculation, focuses on developing products that enhance nutrient supply, stimulate crop growth, improve soil texture, and provide biocontrol against soil-borne pests and pathogens. Competitive co-inoculation tests demonstrate the effectiveness of their soil inoculants in inhibiting fungal growth, with varying levels of inhibition observed depending on the concentration. The addition of AMALGEROL ESSENCE to soil inoculants enhances their biocontrol efficacy against various fungal pathogens, including Macrophomina, Sclerotiorum, Diaporthe, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium species, while also maintaining shelf life efficacy.

AMALGEROL ESSENCE - A Strong Marketing Campaign in Ukraine
Ekaterina Romanenkova, Summit-Agro Ukraine Ltd., Ukraine
A comprehensive marketing campaign for AMALGEROL ESSENCE was launched in Ukraine in 2023, targeting both industrial and home & garden segments through various channels including printed media, websites, social media, outdoor advertising, and video promotions. New visuals, packaging options, and promotional materials were created, along with loyalty programs to incentivize sales. Additionally, online promotion efforts included collaborations with bloggers and influencers, as well as a dedicated landing page for the product.

Quality Always Matters
Paul Moga-Paler, Hechenbichler GmbH, Austria
Quality is presented as more than just conformance, but rather a passion for continuous improvement and exceeding expectations. It encompasses all aspects of production, from raw materials to the final product, and includes both active and auxiliary ingredients, as well as formulation, packaging, and the entire quality chain from soil to the end result. Ultimately, choosing quality is crucial for growth and success.

A Good Partnership Always Pays Off
Grzegorz Pruszyński, PhD, Agrii Polska Sp. z o.o., Poland
Agrii is a leading producer and distributor of various agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products, and biological products. The Agrii Dem Tour 2023 featured six locations in Poland, showcasing cereal and oilseed rape varieties, comparing conventional and biological technologies, and presenting partners like Hechenbichler. Trials conducted by Agrii demonstrated the positive effects of AMALGEROL ESSENCE on crops like winter wheat and spring barley, leading to increased sales of the product in Poland.

A Glance into the Future - Research for Novel Products
Dr. Silvia Fluch, Hechenbichler GmbH, Austria
Research for novel products involves a strategic approach to product development, integrating agricultural trends and understanding plant communication with the soil microbiome. Future trends focus on sustainable raw materials, alongside technical considerations such as transport, stability, and regulatory requirements. Product development roadmaps for 2023/24 include foliar application, soil improvements, technical enhancements, seed treatment, and nursery applications, with a pipeline featuring products like sunscreen/heat solutions, soil compaction treatments, straw decomposition aids, and starter products.