In apples, cherries and stone fruit, orchard performance is shaped during the establishment years. While focus is often placed on irrigation design, nutrition programs and canopy development, long‑term productivity is also determined by what happens in soils.

Young trees begin with small root systems. They adapt quickly to new soils, changing moisture conditions and varying nutrient availability. If early root growth is slow or inefficient, trees fall behind. This creates variation and can reduce yields over the life of the orchard. For growers investing heavily in new plantings, establishment is not just a phase; it’s the foundation for everything that follows.

With increasing seasonal variability, fluctuating soil moisture and rising input costs, orchard nutrition is moving away from simply applying more fertiliser. The focus is now on efficiency: ensuring nutrients are available, accessible and taken up by the trees. Biological inputs are increasingly used as practical tools to support this shift.

At NEM, biological products are developed to complement existing fertiliser and irrigation programs, helping trees make better use of what is already present in the soil.

In mandarins and navel oranges, fruit quality is built long before harvest. Firmness, rind integrity, internal condition and storage performance are all influenced by how effectively the tree manages water balance, nutrient movement and stress during fruit development. As heat events, moisture variability and salinity pressure become more frequent, maintaining effective calcium nutrition has become increasingly difficult, yet more important than ever.

Calcium plays a critical role in cell wall strength and membrane stability, directly influencing fruit firmness and resistance to post-harvest breakdown. However, calcium uptake and distribution within citrus trees are strongly dependent on water movement and healthy cellular function. During periods of heat, drought or high transpiration demand, calcium mobility is often restricted, leading to localised deficiencies in developing fruit even where soil or foliar calcium programs are in place.

LALSTIM OSMO ^SP is a glycine betaine–based osmoprotectant designed to support plant resilience by maintaining osmotic balance, membrane integrity and metabolic activity under abiotic stress. 

New Edge Microbials is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Frost as Territory Sales and Development Manager for WA/SA.

Tom joins NEM with more than a decade of experience in the agricultural sector.

Growing up on a family farm in Western Australia, he has built a career spanning sales, customer support, and product delivery - bringing a practical, grower-focused perspective.

With extensive experience across both Western Australia and South Australia, Tom has established strong relationships with growers and distribution partners.

He is passionate about helping producers maximise crop performance while improving long-term soil health.

As the agricultural sector continues to evolve, the need for innovative solutions that promote sustainability, and crop resilience has never been more critical. In this context, the recent collaboration between New Edge Microbials (NEM) and global leader Lallemand heralds a new era for growers in Australia and New Zealand. Launching three groundbreaking products in Australia this November, this strategic partnership takes a significant step towards enhancing crop performance and addressing the challenges posed by increasingly harsh environmental conditions.

The trio of products—LALSTIM® OSMO SP, LALRISE® MAX WP, and LALRISE® START SC—offer exciting advancements for agricultural practices.

David Pollock Joins New Edge Microbials as NSW Territory Sales and Development Manager

New Edge Microbials is pleased to welcome David Pollock as Territory Sales and Development Manager for New South Wales, based in Dubbo.

David brings over 25 years of experience in agronomy and ag chem sales, working across both dryland and irrigated winter and summer cropping systems in NSW and Queensland. His extensive background includes new product development from his time as an area manager with an international ag chem manufacturer.