Although relatively new, biologicals are rapidly increasing in popularity in the agriculture industry. Derived from naturally occurring substances, biologicals are a diverse group of inputs used to stimulate plant growth, enhance resistance to plant pests and reduce abiotic stress.
“Biostimulants are one particular category of biologicals that farmers are becoming increasingly interested in,” said David Powell, senior agronomy services manager for Growmark. “One of the reasons for the increase in popularity is that biostimulants can promote plant growth and productivity processes, which can enhance nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency and tolerance to abiotic stress.”
Biostimulants may have more than one mode of action and can enhance plant health in multiple ways. When used in conventional management plans, biostimulants have been shown to improve soil quality, improve plant access to nutrients, stimulate plant defenses, improve root growth and improve overall crop quality.
In 2020, MiField Applied Research tested YieldON™, a biostimulant product from Valagro, on soybeans and corn. Through foliar application, YieldON can help increase row crop productivity by modulating cell metabolism and improving sugar and nutrient transport and lipid biosynthesis in the growing crop.
MiField Trial Results
YieldON on Soybeans
Sixteen MiField Applied Research trials demonstrated an average yield response to YieldON on soybeans of 2.27 Bu/Acre higher than the growers’ standard practices. Although the data set was small, the 50 percent positive yield response is encouraging. Based on 2020 average input costs, the ROI on a YieldON application on soybeans was $11.86 per acre and the breakeven point for YieldON is less than a bushel of grain.
YieldON on Corn
In corn, nineteen MiField Applied Research trials demonstrated an average yield response to YieldON of 7.5 Bu/Acre better than the growers’ standard practices. Based on 2020 average input costs, the ROI on a YieldON application on corn was $17.93 per acre. YieldON on corn also saw a 74 percent positive yield response, indicating that across most conditions and trials, YieldON had a positive effect on yield.
YieldON Paired with Fungicides
2020 MiField Applied Research also tested the use of YieldON when paired with a fungicide.
In a trial in Marengo, Iowa, the addition of YieldON to a planned fungicide application of Miravis Neo from Syngenta on soybeans, netted a return of $37.96 per acre.
“This trial took advantage of a planned application of fungicide to add the YieldON product to increase the grower’s ROI,” said Lance Ruppert, agronomy marketing and technology director for Growmark. “The dry weather in 2020 could have limited the plants’ ability to uptake and utilize nutrients from the soil. The addition of YieldON with nutrients may have helped the plant produce more pods.”
Another trial in Dane County, Wisconsin evaluated the effect of a pairing YieldON with Delaro fungicide from Bayer on corn yields. Results indicated that the acres treated with YieldON and the fungicide yielded better than the untreated check and the fungicide alone by 19 Bu/Acre and 14 Bu/Acre, respectively. This response resulted in an ROI of $30.71 per acre when compared to the untreated check.
“Environmental stressors can partly drive the magnitude of yield response observed from biostimulant applications,” said Ruppert. “While the data sets were regional, the yield responses were encouraging and YieldON looks to be a promising stress mitigation product.”
Ruppert also reiterates that MiField Trials are tested on multiple farms, across various geographies and multiple seasons, which best illustrates the variability of the yield responses obtained from biostimulants across various environments. Contact your local FS Crop Specialist about the impacts of foliar biostimulants and how those products responded in your area.
FS MiField Applied Research Trials test new agronomic practices, technologies and products on growers’ farms every season. You can benefit from this research-based data, applying it to your plan this season. Click here to download your copy of the 2020 MiField Trial Results report.
YieldON is a trademark of Valagro. Miravis is a registered trademark of Syngenta. Delaro is a registered trademark of Bayer.