The reduction of soil degradation and water conservation are the cornerstone of how UPL is working towards a more sustainable agricultural system.
UPL Zeba™ is a patented, granular, free flowing technology in the category of soil conditioner / amendment, intended for in furrow application with a proven history in its ability to positively manage soil solution water whilst having a constructive impact on soil health parameters. Enabling growers to directly increase the efficiency of the water they use, along with soil solution nutrition, for the benefit of plants, soil and the environment. Being degradable Zeba leaves no residues across a wide range of applications.
Reduce the amount of water needing to be applied through irrigation thus enabling more yield from less water.
Helps in the reduction of leachates and associated contaminants to the environment – increasing the water holding capacity of a soil.
Increases the Nutrient use efficiency in the rooting zone – having a positive interaction with essential soil nutrients.
A positive effect on the soils microbiome supporting the soil food web.
Zeba™ is a material product which acts on several points related to a soils function and health. Water a key dynamic for soils to function, yet Zeba also has physical presence within the soil profile. As due to its starch based formula it attracts individual soil particles to its surfaces, and upon drying will hold then in what is known as aggregates, these aggregates are just what is required in many of our soils today, offering a direct contribution to soil aeration and bulk density, which in turn is the ideal environment for root and beneficial soil microbe development.
In addition Zeba is capable of interacting with soil nutirents, with a high exchange capacity, increasing the soils ability to exchange nutrients within the soil environment. It is well known that the efficiency of nutrients is linked to the efficiency of water, so that zeba is the ideal product to contribute to a successful soil and plant environment.
This dynamic of soil and water also leads to the way Zeba is known for reducing unwelcome soil leachates, which otherwise would pass into the environment.
As Zeba directly increases the soil’s ability to hold water, and reducing the amount required from irrigation coupled with its ability to support soil aggregates and the microbiome, all contributes to an overall reduction in unwanted leachates.
The positive impact of Zeba on the environment is one of the biggest differences between similar products. Since Zeba is unequally based on corn starch, when broken down, it reverts to a substance which is a source of food for microbes and leaves no residue.
The positive impact of Zeba on the environment is one of the biggest differences between similar products. Since Zeba is unequally based on corn starch, when broken down, it reverts to a substance which is a source of food for microbes and leaves no residue. Increased nourishment to microbes, increased soil aggregation and reduced water leaching combined with the reduction of bulk density allow Zeba to be a positive contribution to protect the environment from the impact of modern farming practices. This is known as building resilience to the system, both for the grower and the soils health.
Watch Narayan Raghunath Pangawane, a farmer from Nashik, India, speak highly of UPL's Zeba. He has been using Zeba for the last ten years and is more than happy with its performance. With Zeba on his side, his fruit cultivation no more depends on rainfall or irrigation and his orchards are laden with the most beautiful fruits even in drought conditions.
See how Zeba has lived up to the expectations of farmers from Manuka in Hanumangad, India, by making their plants healthy and disease-free and increasing the yield of round gourds, with minimum use of water. They have recommended Zeba to other farmers too.
UPL's Zeba has been a boon to the drought stricken region of Kothale in Pune, India. Rahul Sahebrao Bhosale had been struggling with the shortage of water and facing low fruit yields due to it for years before he came to know about Zeba. Now, with the moisture retaining Zeba to his rescue he has better and bigger fruits and that too in larger numbers per tree.
