
A Mycorrhizae Message from Graze Master Group leader, Willie Pretorius MSc (Agric), Hons B (B&A), Regenerative Agriculture Specialist and founder of Reconstructing Agriculture consulting.
“My passion is regenerative agriculture with particular interest in the soil microbiological activities that drive the processes which are mimicked from nature. The microbial tasks that provide plant nutrients is my specific area of interest. In this instance, this revolves around the mycorrhizae root colonization as well as the rhizophagy process,” Pretorius explained. “Regenerative agriculture simply cannot happen without one or both processes functioning.”

Pretorius has the following questions to pose to farmers, ranchers, and others interested in reconstructing their soils to a healthier state:
Do you know whether mycorrhizae are present in your soils in a sufficient population density to be effective?
Do you know whether mycorrhizae are colonizing your corn crop roots to provide phosphate and other mineral nutrients locked in an insoluble state?
Willie has developed the tools to measure the questions above and he can help answer the questions as well as restore mycorrhizae populations.
Contact Willie at:
You can also contact Kerry Hoffschneider, and she can help coordinate a meeting with Willie:
(402) 363-8963
More about Willie Pretorius:
Willie Pretorius obtained a master’s degree in agriculture majoring in horticulture, plant physiology, and biochemistry from the University of Stellenbosch and an Honors MBA from the Stellenbosch Business School in South Africa.
He managed several agro processing businesses including fruit and vegetable canning, juice concentrating, mushroom cultivation, asparagus growing and processing. All these businesses were in financial trouble when Pretorius was appointed, and he was able to turn them around into profit-making enterprises. He also started a vegetable freezing business from scratch.
As an agricultural scientist, Pretorius identified the Sunblotch virus disease in avocados as initiated through a graft incompatible condition. Before moving to the United States, he started a soil health laboratory in South Africa and built a support base of soil health and regenerative agriculture experts around the world that he maintains regular communication with. His particular interest is understanding how nature functions in an established stable ecosystem in order to find better ways of incorporating these ideas into our present-day cropping systems.
At Ward Laboratories Inc., Pretorius established a procedure for the evaluation of Mycorrhizae root colonization as well as Rhizophagy activity using PLFA and NLFA technology and has a wealth of knowledge and experience on soil health testing and result evaluation. Through his numerous experiences in research and business, Pretorius has developed a good understanding of soil health with a particular interest in how plants utilize the resources provided by nature.
Learn more about Graze Master leadership at: www.grazemastergroup.com/graze-master-group
Learn more about our Graze Master community partners at: www.grazemastergroup.com/community-partners
Comments