Yucca Extracts: nature’s wetting agent and organic insecticidal soap

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/organic-fertilisers/yucca-extract/ Dr. Russell Sharp explains what true yucca extract is, how it differs from cassava, and where it comes from. He outlines the active components (saponins and terpenes) found in yucca and how they work. The episode covers practical uses—natural wetting agent for soils and media, organic insecticidal soap for soft-bodied pests, and a biostimulant in fertilizers and livestock feed—plus tips to identify pure yucca extract and avoid diluted or adulterated products.

https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/soil-conditioners/magnesium/ Dr. Russell Sharp explains why magnesium is vital for plants — it sits at the centre of chlorophyll — and how deficiency leads to interveinal chlorosis, reduced photosynthesis and lower yields. He outlines common causes such as calcium and potassium antagonism, and why symptoms often appear first on older leaves. The episode gives practical diagnosis tips and corrective options: CalMag and Magnesium Plus for hydroponics and lawns, Epsom salts for fruit crops, liquid gypsum for toxicity, and guidance on proactive applications to prevent problems and improve plant colour and performance. Dr Russell Sharp, founder of Eutrema Ltd

Dr. Russell Sharp, founder of Eutrema Limited, explains how the company puts growers first by solving real problems through serendipitous innovation and cutting-edge plant science. Eutrema creates unique, sustainable products—like fully soluble liquid gypsum and concentrated salicylic acid—that work with soil biology, are transparent about ingredients, and avoid copycat “lego” mixes. Customers get direct access to the inventors, fast expert support, practical resources, and British-made solutions focused on reducing harmful chemicals and improving crop health. https://eutrema.co.uk/

Dr. Russell Sharp examines the key threats to fertiliser and pesticide prices in the UK looking toward 2027, including rising energy costs, sulphur and phosphate supply disruptions, geopolitical conflicts, and potential sanctions. He also explains the likely effects of the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism, the feedback loop between crop prices and fertiliser demand, and how regulatory harmonisation could wipe out small biostimulant and hydroponic suppliers. The episode outlines consequences for arable farmers, sports turf, lawn care and hydroponic growers and highlights what to watch for in the coming years. https://eutrema.co.uk/

Dr. Russell Sharp explains Eutrema’s Periodic Table of Plant Health, a handy poster included with orders that groups essential and non-essential elements and explains their roles in plant nutrition. This episode walks through macronutrients (NPK), secondary nutrients, micronutrients, non-mineral needs (CO2, H, O), beneficial extras like silicon, toxic elements to avoid, and practical tips for lawn, turf, arable, and hydroponic growers — plus info on freebies and resources from Eutrema. https://eutrema.co.uk/plant-health-periodic-table-poster/

Dr Russell Sharp reviews recent weather impacts on crops, lawns and hydroponics, announces a Black Friday humic acid offer (code HUMIC15), and explains how wetting agents and soil moisture matter after drought and heavy rain. He introduces an upcoming food‑grade, biodegradable root stimulant designed to replace potassium phosphite, outlines plans to patent it, and describes required testing across diverse plant species plus greenhouse and split‑pot trials. Also covered: new tank‑mix compatibility chart on the Eutrema website, sample and trial opportunities for small growers and turf managers, and upcoming events like Grounds Fest.

Dr. Russell Sharp explains why his company doesn’t sell microbial products, citing viability, supply-chain dilution and poor-quality suppliers that damage the sector’s reputation. He announces a free service for regenerative farmers: send recent microbial products to Eutrema for microscopy, staining and culture tests to verify identity, viability and concentration, with results shared to help clean up the market. https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/pesticides-organic/chitosan-biofungicide/

Dr. Russell Sharp explores perennial arable crops such as kernza, perennial rice, and sorghum; discussing their advantages (reduced tillage, deeper roots, soil health), current commercial status, and practical challenges such as lower yields, pests, and multi-year management. The episode also covers breeding and gene-editing targets to improve traits, global research efforts, and the potential for growing perennials in hydroponic systems and niche value markets. https://eutrema.co.uk/ Norman Borlaug — CIMMYT Sanjaya Rajaram — CIMMYT Surinder Vasal — CIMMYT Ravi Prakash Singh — CIMMYT Neelamraju G. P. Rao — Indian Agricultural Research Institute / Vasantrao Naik MAU Gebisa Ejeta — Purdue University Ronnie Coffman — IRRI / Cornell University Dilbagh S. Athwal — Punjab Agricultural University / IRRI William L. Brown — Pioneer Hi-Bred Richard Boyles — Clemson University John Holland — USDA Agricultural Research Service Stephen Jones — Kansas State University Jeffery Dahlberg — USDA Agricultural Research Service Kulvinder Gill — University of Saskatchewan Peter Langridge — University of Adelaide Matthew Reynolds — CIMMYT Mark Sorrells — Cornell University Jorge Dubcovsky — University of California Davis Peter Snape — NIAB Brian Quinlan — CSIRO Susan McCouch — Cornell University Guoyou Ye — Huazhong Agricultural University Rod Wing — University of Arizona Hei Leung — International Rice Research Institute Edgardo Ibanez — International Rice Research Institute Rajeev Varshney — University of Queensland David Mackill — University of California Riverside Takuji Sasaki — Kyoto University Qifa Zhang — Huazhong Agricultural University Yulin Jia — USDA Agricultural Research Service Acharya H. D. Upadhyaya — ICRISAT Ashok Kumar — ICRISAT Sean Mayes — ICRISAT Ephrem Habyarimana — ICRISAT Vijay Reddy — ICRISAT Tim Setter — Kansas State University David Jordan — Texas A&M University William Rooney — Texas A&M AgriLife Mark Burow — Texas A&M University Amir Ibrahim — Texas A&M University Jackie Rudd — Texas A&M University Dirk Hays — Texas A&M University Jesse Poland — Kansas State University Kuldeep Singh — CIMMYT Yiping Tong — CIMMYT B. S. Gill — University of Missouri Ian King — University of Adelaide David Hodson — CIMMYT Jose Hernandez Prado — CIMMYT Brian Moore — University of Minnesota Tom Blake — Montana State University Kent McCue — USDA Agricultural Research Service Hamlyn Jones — NIAB Graham Moore — John Innes Centre Tianyou Wang — Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Lijia Qu — Institute of Crop Sciences, CAAS Jianfeng Xu — Sichuan Agricultural University Zonglie Hong — China Agricultural University Shizhong Xu — China National Rice Research Institute Jen-Tsung Chen — Taiwan Rice Research Institute Chih-Hsiung Huang — Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute Chris Proud — Rice Breeding Australia Guy McMullen — NSW Department of Primary Industries Maqbool Ahmad — RAGT Australia Sam Willsmore — LongReach Plant Breeders Vicki Kokolakis — Australian Grain Technologies Jacob Hayes — Australian Grain Technologies Simon Crane — Seednet Tara King — Nuseed Kirk Brehaut — RAGT Kristy Hobson — NSW Department of Primary Industries B. R. Barwale — Mahyco Abdul Shafi Ali — Agricultural Research Center, Egypt Getinet Gebeyehu — Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research Bement Gashawbeza — Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center James Owuoche — Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Mohammed Siddig — Sudan Agricultural Research Corporation Mahdi Ali — Agricultural Research Corporation, Sudan Ahmed Elwali — Agricultural Research Corporation, Sudan Ali Zeghida — Technical Institute of Field Crops, Algeria S. K. Singh — Indian Agricultural Research Institute R. K. Singh — Indian Council of Agricultural Research M. S. Swaminathan — M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation N. K. Singh — Indian Agricultural Research Institute A. K. Singh — ICRISAT P. S. Rao — University of Hyderabad S. L. Sheshshayee — ICRISAT Bharat B. Chattoo — University of Delhi Bruce Roe — Clemson University Yves Vigouroux — CIRAD Ping Yu — Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Mark Tucker — University of Nottingham June Simpson — CSIRO Tom Payne — CIMMYT Brian Steffenson — University of Minnesota Harold Stalker — USDA Agricultural Research Service Shyamal Talukder — Texas A&M University David Stelly — Texas A&M University Rajaram V. — CIMMYT Peter Snape — NIAB

Dr. Russell Sharp examines fertiliser products that claim to contain dozens to 90+ chemical elements, using the periodic table to show why many of those claims are impossible, radioactive, or potentially toxic. He explains that plants only need around a dozen essential nutrients (plus a few beneficials), points out which elements can’t realistically be present, and urges listeners to question manufacturers and check ingredient lists. https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/   Croptec Cereals Diddly Squat Farm Jeremy Clarkson  

In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp explains trehalose 6‑phosphate (T6P) as a plant sucrose‑status signal and its potential to boost wheat yields. He compares products from SugarRox and Unium, discusses trial evidence, ROI claims, and the challenges of bringing a single‑compound biostimulant to market. Dr. Sharp also covers intellectual property and public‑sector spinouts, the need for larger independent field data, and why farmers may view biostimulants as optional investments. He finishes with notes on upcoming industry events and calls for more transparency and real‑world results. https://eutrema.co.uk/category/biostimulants/