New Technology Can Help Row Crops Stand Up to Stress to Achieve Higher Yields
Connor Sible, a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Crop Science at the University of Illinois, said at the opening of a recent webinar that he has been researching biostimulants and is optimistic with what he has learned about them when it comes to mitigating stress in row crops.
Dr. Connor Sible
Sible, Ph.D., stated during the webinar, “Stand Up to Crop Stress for Higher Yield and ROI,” sponsored by Agricen, that growers are spending a lot on inputs to achieve high yields, and they want to manage crop stress to protect and maintain those yields. He also noted that while growers can control crop stress by certain pests through inputs, they can’t control stress brought on by drought, cold, and flooding, which some biostimulants can help do.
During the webinar, Sible focused on biostimulants in the kelp/alginate/hydrolysates sector, also known as marine extracts, which are comprised of algae, seaweed, and kelp. The active ingredients in marine extracts include amino acids, carbohydrates, and plant hormones, which act as stress mitigators.
“In general, marine extracts are like giving a plant an expresso shot to stimulate it when foliar applied or the root zone when soil applied,” Sible said.
Marine extracts contain fucoidans, or sulfated carbohydrates, which are shown in studies to increase plant defense on row crops like corn and soybeans, Sible noted.
Agricen, a plant health biotechnology company that produces microbially derived biochemical products for agriculture and other markets, produces Terramar, sold exclusively by Nutrien Ag Solutions. Terramar is a new technology specifically designed to help row crops combat stress by utilizing marine extracts.
Dr. Brian Cornelious
Brian Cornelious, Ph.D., Director of Applied Sciences at Agricen, said Terramar combines two unique technology platforms: marine-based technology (MBT), which is biologically converted kelp; and carbon-based technology (CBT), which is biologically converted leonardite. Terramar can be used on row crops to deliver increased nutrient uptake and enhanced stress mitigation to optimize plant health and contribute to enhanced yield.
MBT improves crop tolerance to abiotic stressors such as heat, drought, salt, and cold, which can limit yield, Cornelious said. He noted that marine extracts like kelp grow in the cold, dark, and salty ocean. So, when it is biologically extracted and applied to row crops, it will often provide crops with the ability to withstand the same stressful growing conditions found in the ocean.
Cornelious added that CBT enhances nutrient uptake and provides key carbon derivatives for additional energy to optimize plant performance.
Cornelious said multiple field trials validate the effectiveness of Terramar as an early or late-season addition to fungicide or other nutritional programs.
“What growers are seeing with biostimulants is they can add some additional functionality to things they are already doing,” Cornelious said. “Many biostimulants by themselves have utility. But when you combine those with a fertility program, they can help increase efficiency and help those plants better utilize some of the other inputs being made.”
If you missed the live broadcast of this webinar, “Stand Up to Crop Stress for Higher Yield & ROI” you can view the archived version online here or visit CropLife.com/webinars and check it out today.