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• What is te phyllo plane?
• What other 'spheres' or 'planes' can be named?
• How is the crop influenced by the phyllo plane?

The phyllo plane can be described as the parts of the plant which can be seen above the soil: the stem, leafs, flowers, fruits and seeds. When in plant resilience the phyllo plane is discussed, the outside of a leaf is meant. A thin layer, called the wax layer, can be found on a plant’s leaf. In this layer of wax, many different micro-organisms are present.

As mentioned earlier, multiple routes for plant resilience can be followed. All of these routes are named differently. Besides the phyllo plane, which represents the surface of the leafs, the rhizosphere is known. The word rhizosphere is used to describe the soil. The rhizosphere is well known, even more than the phyllo plane. For instance, it is known that the role of a healthy soil lifeshould not be underestimated and that several products that contain fungi and bacteria (such as rhizobacteria) improve the soil life.  

The phyllo plane can be found in direct contact with the plant. Like this, a good balance in the plant’s health is achieved.When a sufficient amount of micro-organisms can be found on the plant, this results in an automatic ‘protection’ of the plant towards pathogens. It can be said that they ‘warn’ the plant for potential threats. Besides, the phyllo plane serves as a source of nutrition, thanks to specific bacteria which bind nitrogen from the air. Also lice, dead insects and other dead organisms have a positive effect on the plant. This because they are broken down by bacteria and fungi in the phyllo plane. When the dead organisms are broken down sufficiently, an advantage for the plant is created. This because nutrition is released, which can be taken in by the plant instantly. Of course, regular fertilization could never be replaced by this process. However, it could serve as an addition. Think about biotic or abiotic stress, in which the intake of nutrition through the roots is hindered.

If the diversity of micro-organisms on the leafs decreases, an imbalance could emerge, resulting in disadvantages for the crop. Due to imbalance, the plant will become more prone to pathogens. Since there is less competition, there are more entries for pathogens. In addition, a poor soil life could negatively influence the plant’s assimilation and photosynthesis.

As explained earlier, micro-organisms can be found in the phyllo plane. The word micro-organisms does not only refer to bacteria and fungi, but also to Oomycetes, viruses, unicellular organisms, algae and nematodes. 

The majority of bacteria live on a plant’s leafs. These are mainly bacteria with pigments, that do not live in the soil. The reason for this is very likely to be the fact that those pigments are necessary to protect the micro-organism against sun light. Something that is not necessary within the soil. 

The phyllo plane is very variated. It does not only differ per plant, but also per season. That’s why it is difficult to deal with these organisms. The most important is to make the environment on the leaf as pleasant as possible, in order to make sure a diversity of micro-organisms is stimulated.

A plant’s phyllo plane can be improved by the use of several products. A good example is Sonata, a bacillus Pumillus, which is an organically approved fungicide combatting fungi. Moreover, a selection of beneficial bacteria can be added to the leaf with the aim of them staying there. Because not all cultivations will benefit the same strategy, it could work to widely add or combat micro-organisms. 
An effective control is often achieved by combining more crop protection products. But also by making sure an ‘army’ is ready for attacks, and making sure the army is maintained and supported with nutrition. 

Another possibility to influence the phyllo plane, is by adding a product containing amino acids. Amino acids function as an organic source of nutrition for micro-organisms. After the nutrition is digested, it will be available to the plant in the form of leaf fertilization (e.g. Aminosol)

Pay attention: Disinfection does not contribute to the phyllo plane’s diversity. It could also negatively affect the wax layer on the leafs.

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