Brent J Saaiman, Director – International Sales & Marketing, Vigoland talks about Vigo, a plant growth stimulant that is 100 per cent Organic.
Tell us about Vigo, the plant growth conditioner?
Vigo would fall under a botanical allelochemical, yet gaining the benefits of containing Amino Acids and the function of the humic substances making it a truly unique product.
Referred to as a TCO (True Compound Organic), its recorded benefits are not only diverse but continually growing as the product’s usage across the agricultural industry expands. Having a stimulatory effect on the plant’s growth, increasing the plant’s tolerance to abiotic stresses and ultimately resulting in enhanced yields, the product has a wide usage from turf grasses, through to fruit crops.
Agricultural usage translates into economic and environmental benefits: higher crop yield, plant stress resilience, savings of fertilizers, increased quality and profitability of crop products, and enhanced ecosystem services.
How is it absorbed by the plants? Does it improve soil health?
It is absorbed by the plant above ground both through the leaf stomata and/or directly through any green cell walls, as well as via roots in the soil. It improves soil health by creating the environment for soil to rejuvenate by increasing the diffusion of released nutrients thus providing an enriched area around the roots for attracting the good microbes, enzymes, fungi (like mycorrhizae), and bacteria.
What are its benefits in agriculture? And horticulture?
Developed in South Africa, researched and trialled over a 15 year period, this 100 per cent environmentally friendly, organic product has shown astonishing results in plant growth and yields. Resulting in reduction running costs and increased returns. Vigo initially focussed on agriculture but trials in Forestry, Turf & Golf and Horticulture sectors have all shown remarkable results and benefits.
Can it be used in organic farming?
It is 100% organic and is underwritten by various accreditations including Ecocert.
How does it increase yields?
Vigo is a unique liquid bio-stimulant which has the ability to activate and de-activate metabolic pathways as and when the plant requires it, and therefore has the capability to enhance the uptake of plant nutrition even at reduced fertiliser rates.
The hormonal activity is further substantively increased with the presence of 17 essential organic amino acids and has proven to be extremely effective when used in conjunction with synthetic and/or organic fertilisers or foliar feeds. 
Vigo further has the outstanding ability to indirectly increase carbohydrates when a certain metabolic pathway is activated, allowing the plant to produce more energy and thus stimulating plant growth. At the same time the other benefit functions observed include the ability to increase the Brix count (sugar levels in the cell sap), and to have a physiological effect at the plant’s cell membrane level.
Facts about Vigo product line:
- Treated plants produce more roots and healthy shoots in a shorter period of time
- It enhances bud break, fruiting and seeding
- Water soluble Vigo is absorbed via both root and leaf
- It has a physiological effect at the plant’s cell membrane level, triggering enhanced water and nutrient absorption
- It is a plant supplement which on its own is not a nutrient source but rather and optimiser/potentiator/biogrowth stimulator
- It is 100% organic and meets the product evaluation criteria for the Dutch inputs list this registration was recently bestowed and is currently also been registered in other European countries
- It is environmentally friendly
- The product can be applied anytime during a plant’s life cycle
- It functions in the regulation of primary metabolic pathways
- It is 100% stable and has no known shelf life
- It can be applied with other organic or inorganic nutrients supplements
- It produces stronger more drought and stress tolerant plants
- Low dosage rates
- Increases the percentage of seed germination
- When applied, Vigo increases yields by 16% to 40% depending on crop plant type and conditions at no reduction to crop or fruit quality.
Vigo trial crop information
- Fruit trees: Vigo assists in bud breaking, increased flowering and fruit yield Application was done prior to budding and throughout the growing season.
- Fruiting: Treatment with Vigo on tomatoes/sweet pepper/chillies/cucumbers and strawberries all showed increased yield and size.
- Cereal grains: Treatment with Vigo resulted in vigorous growth improve root and shoot development and an increase in seed production.
- Nuts: These include hazelnuts/chestnuts/almonds and other tree and groundnuts – treatment with Vigo resulted in increased yield.
- Podded Legumes (shelled and non-shelled): Treatment with Vigo increased the number of pods.
- Tubers and Bulbs: Potatoes/Onions etc treatment with Vigo increased the number and size of tubers.
