With the goal of increasing potato yield and quality, AgroLiquid has been conducting research in the potato growing regions of southern Manitoba and Alberta since 2020. This research has included a 3rd party independent research firm, on-farm trials, and Independent Crop Inputs.

The almost universal planter applied starter for potatoes in this region is 10-34-0 at 20 gal/A, usually in addition to broadcast 11-52-0. Why such a high P rate? First, potatoes love phosphorus, often responding to phosphorus fertilizer even on fields testing high for P. Secondly, much of the P in 10-34-0 is rapidly tied-up in these higher pH soils, requiring potato growers to apply high rates to achieve their potato yield goals. In these trials over a two-year period a 9 gallon rate of Pro-Germinator® has out-yielded 20 gallons of 10-34-0 nearly every time, usually with better tuber quality as well.

Independent Crop Inputs is a full service farm supply retailer with two locations located in southern Alberta. They are a major supplier for potato farmers in the southern Alberta irrigated potato growing region. In 2021, they conducted a replicated research trial comparing 9 gallons/A of Pro-Germinator against the typical rate of 20 gallons/A of 10-34-0.

Key findings from this research:

• 9 gal/A of Pro-Germinator yielded 564.38 cwt sacks/A vs the 20 gal/A of 10-34-0 that yielded 548.9 cwt sacks.
• That’s 1,543.35 pounds/acre in favor of Pro-Germinator – despite the substantially lower amount of actual P applied.

In the quality testing (standard panel size), the Pro-Germinator treatment resulted in 20.25 tubers of 10 oz or greater while the 10-34-0 treatment resulted in 17.0 tubers >10 oz.

Pro-Germinator has been AgroLiquid’s premier phosphorus fertilizer for decades. It is especially popular on the higher pH soils that are prevalent in the US and Canadian great plains – and for good reason. Conventional phosphorus fertilizers are rapidly fixed, or tie-up, by the abundant calcium in these soils. Pro-Germinator’s unique flavonol chemistry protects the phosphorus in Pro-Germinator from being tie-up, leaving it available for root uptake for up to 60 days after application. This excellent protection enables AgroLiquid to recommend lower application rates than conventional liquid phosphorus, yet still achieve equal or better crop yields – a feature we call “performance equivalency”.

In cotton, the timing of applications is key. In a 2021 study conducted in Mantee, MS, all foliar applications happened at early bloom, which is a critical stage in a cotton plant’s life cycle.

This cotton was exposed to very heavy rainfall throughout the growing season and was 6′ tall in places, which is considered “rank” cotton. With so much vegetative growth, you would expect to see boll rot and fruit abscission, however in this study, the treated cotton did not experience any of this. The timing of the applications in this study was key.

Key findings from this research:

• The application of boron along with the micros and sulfur applied during early flowering contributed to the fruit retention and root health of the plant, and therefore the yield, in this overly tall cotton crop.
• If no other applications can be made in season, getting these products out at a critical timing point is key. The first 40 days is the most crucial and in this trial, the timing was the direct correlation to the yield
• Adding LintBooster to your tank mixes during peak reproductive growth can improve both overall yield and return on investment.

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Lint Booster is a low-volume plant nutrition product designed to supply the N-P-K, secondary, and micronutrients cotton needs to thrive. With all the nutrients cotton plants need contained in one low-volume formula, Lint Booster makes it easy to maximize boll retention and extend fill.

 

 

 

 

Kapitalize is a fast-acting potassium with added calcium and sulfur designed to be foliar applied during the critical reproductive stages of plant growth. Kapitalize has been formulated to be combined and immediately applied with other AgroLiquid products.

Pro-Germinator® increases yield and profits!

By Abe Isaak, Regional Agronomy Manager

Effective management of nutrients is critical for potato production, as tuber yield and tuber quality are directly impacted by source, quantity, and timing of nutrient applications. Growing healthy potato crops must also be balanced with an economical fertilizer program.

A 2021 potato research trial in Idaho Falls, ID demonstrates once again that using Pro-Germinator at planting makes for a higher yield and higher profits.

Key findings from this research:

• A combination of Pro-Germinator + High NRG-N, Kalibrate, Micro 500 and accesS outperforms the grower standard of 24-80-0.
• A reduced rate of 8 gal/A Pro-Germinator out produces the grower standard of 24-80-0.

A $6 per sack investment in AgroLiquid crop nutrition returns back to the grower $150-$600 per acre.

CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR RESEARCH!

Using eNhance In-Furrow – Effect on Yield and Soil Test Analysis

We’ve proven, time and again, that AgroLiquid’s eNhance in-furrow can improve yields. Research conducted at the North Central Research Station, along with in field trials across the U.S., has built a database of yield comparisons to help determine the likelihood of seeing a positive response, both agronomically and economically. Seventeen trials from multiple years and locations shows that over 94% of the time, adding eNhance to a planter fertilizer program shows a positive yield response along with an economic return of those fertilizer dollars invested. Applied at typical rate of 2 qt/A, on average a 7.7 bu/A yield increase was achieved. Having this data helps our sales team make recommendations and growers make better management decisions.

What About the Soil?

The NCRS is key to helping collect win-rate data but are able to take research one step further. An advantage of having our own research facility is we can look more in depth to the “why” behind yield response in addition to answering agronomic questions to improve our product positioning and recommendations. We’ve proven, time and again, that this product can improve yields, but can eNhance, being a sulfur product, also have an effect on the surrounding soil? Can it lower the soil pH where needed? Can it actually build soil sulfur levels? Fortunately AgroLiquid has the North Central Research Station that is able to find answers to these questions.

The Research

A replicated plot experiment was conducted in 2020 in a field with a higher pH and low soil test sulfur (as is common here and elsewhere). An in-furrow fertilizer program was applied both with and without a 2 qt/A rate of eNhance.

In-furrow, 4-inch soil samples were taken over time to measure the effects of the two treatments on soil pH and sulfur levels. These were compared to samples collected from between the rows where no fertilizer was applied. And finally, at season’s end the plots were harvested for yield. Results appear in the following chart.

The research found that eNhance did not have an effect on soil pH or soil test sulfur beyond that of the in-furrow planter fertilizer. The pH of Pro-Germinator and Sure-K is in the low 6 range, and this in itself could affect the pH of the planter fertilizer zone. And lower pH can also increase soil test sulfur. The 2 qt/A rate of eNhance does not have sufficient volume to affect pH anyway, especially when the pH of eNhance is near neutral. Additionally, an increase soil test sulfur is unlikely when less than half a pound of actual sulfur is applied.

Feed the Plant

AgroLiquid has long maintained that its nutrition is for feeding the plant. Evidently the in-furrow eNhance is doing just that as the yield response was over 10 bushels per acre, a statistically significant increase! So use eNhance as a yield-building tool to provide the nutrients that are needed for top economic production. For field crops, addition of eNhance at planting and then accesS or CalSip in subsequent application is a good option for top yield (check out our research proving the effectiveness of these products).

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Soybeans require large amounts of potassium (K), sulfur (S), and calcium (Ca). They also require micronutrients such as manganese and iron to meet their yield potential. In addition to soil applications of those nutrients, soybeans often respond to foliar applications. Sure-K® and fertiRain® products are well suited to provide cost-effective crop nutrition when applied as foliar treatments.

Sure-K

Sure-K was applied for 10 consecutive years in a corn-soybean rotation as a soil applied treatment and as a foliar treatment. Over the 10 years of the trial, the foliar application of Sure-K at 3 gal/A consistently performed as well as Sure-K applied at 5 gal/A in-furrow.

fertiRain

When applied alone, fertiRain provides excellent potassium nutrition along with nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Application timings are flexible, and it can be tank mixed with many crop protection products.

The Right Mix

Sure-K and fertiRain can be applied alone, or in combination with each other or other crop nutrients. Soybeans will often require more potassium than fertiRain alone can provide, and fertiRain can provide additional nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur to Sure-K.

Performance Consistency is Key

Product performance consistency is as important as individual trial results. AgroLiquid has evaluated yield response to foliar applied Sure-K across 165 locations from 1998 – 2019. Those trials showed a high level of performance consistency and economic benefit. The economic response was calculated using the soybean market price and fertilizer costs appropriate for the year each trial was conducted.

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FertiRain is a valuable tool for sugarbeet growers

Nitrogen (N) management in sugarbeet production is crucial, having just enough N results in good sugar yields, but with too much N beet tonnage increases while extractable sugar decreases. Growers are paid on pounds of actual sugar produced, not beet tonnage. In our research over time we have found that foliar nutrition reliably increases sugar production, perhaps most notably FertiRain. With a perfect foliar ratio of N, phosphorus, and potassium, plus micronutrients formulated for efficient absorption through the leaf surface, FertiRain is proving itself to be a valuable tool for increasing sugar yields.

In 3rd party research in Minnesota during 2020, FertiRain at 1 gal/A added to Cercospora Leaf Spot fungicide treatments increased sugar yield by 1,000 lbs/A, with no detrimental effect on the efficacy of the fungicidal treatments.

These results support previous research at the North Central Research Station (NCRS) demonstrating the effectiveness of FertiRain of increasing sugar yields.

Reaching a crop’s full growth and production potential is about more than preventing deficiencies. It means making a complete range of nutrients available to the plant at every stage. FertiRain is a complete multi-nutrient liquid fertilizer designed for dynamic plant nutrition and optimal growth. With macronutrients, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients all included in carefully measured amounts, FertiRain supports all of the plant’s needs and growth stages. Combining nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur as the primary nutrients, we have included the crucial micronutrients iron, manganese, and zinc to support healthy plant metabolism at just the right time. FertiRain has been shown to increase plant sugars in other crops as well, including forages and fruit crops.

CHECK OUT MORE CROP NUTRIENT RESEARCH!

Find out more about these other AgroLiquid crop nutrients:

Extend your UAN by adding eNhance

ENhance is a sulfur-based additive for UAN solutions designed to enhance the uptake and efficiency of applied nitrogen. When mixed with UAN*, total nitrogen applications can be reduced by 20%.

Average of 47 trials, 2001-2021

AgroLiquid has years of research to back performance in both corn and wheat. Multiple trials have shown the addition of eNhance with an 80% N use rate will provide similar yield response as UAN alone at 100% N use rate.

 

Average of 20 trials, 2004-2019

In addition to yield performance, the return on nitrogen dollar invested is greater with UAN + eNhance compared to UAN alone.

*Mix rate of 2 gal/ton of 28% UAN or 2.25 gal/ton of 32% UAN

Deliver Consistent Nitrogen

ENhance builds off of the Nutriq Technology we use to deliver a consistent macronutrient supply. The plant-based polymer chain allows the nutrients to be slowly released alongside nitrogen fertilizers, creating the perfect recipe for the highest level of nitrogen utilization.

ENhance is designed to be used with other nitrogen fertilizers. To make this as easy as possible, we made it simple to apply and combine with other fertilizers. Apply eNhance at the same time you apply your primary nitrogen fertilizer, and watch your crops thrive.

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Just 3 gal/A at planting nets more than 3.5 bu/A increase at harvest!

Planter-time phosphate sources like springuP can supply a young crop’s immediate needs, while slow release sources of P, such as Pro-Germinator®, sustain a season-long feeding.

With adequate phosphate levels in the soil, highly available early season ortho-phosphate sources can start a crop on the right path.

As evidenced in this trial, with plenty of phosphorus and potassium already applied (all treatments included 100 lbs/A DAP and 100 lbs/A 0-0-60), all the crop needed was a product with readily available orthophosphate to get ahead. In fact, the stand count on the plot treated with springuP and Micro 500® had nearly 6,000 more plants per acre than the plot that received only DAP and 0-0-60. This was reflected in the additional 3.7 bu/A yield.

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SpringuP is a liquid phosphorus fertilizer starter designed to give plants a jump-start on the growing season. The combination of phosphorus, nitrogen and potash sets the stage for strong, early growth. SpringuP liquid phosphorus fertilizer can help plants emerge faster, giving them an early start on the growing season.

 

Pro-Germinator uses a blend of phosphate, nitrogen, potash, and iron to maximize crop response at critical growth stages. The combination of quick-release phosphates with slow-release, carbon-protected, polymer phosphates, promotes exceptional growth early on, and plants continue flourishing through reproductive stages.

Last summer, Dr. Jerry Wilhm took a moment on camera to explain the ongoing Permanent Plot experiment at the North Central Research Station (NCRS). These plots have received the same fertilizer programs in a corn-soybean rotation for the past 10 years. The video shows the 4th replication of the Permanent Plots as they looked on June 27, 2020 and Jerry displays what each plot yielded in 2018, the last corn crop in those plots. Check out the short video:

Now we have the actual 2020 yields from those same plots. The chart below shows the yield comparisons from 2018 to 2020. You’ll see the advantage of AgroLiquid crop nutrition in both performance and sustainability.

Left bar shows 2018 yields and the right bar shows the 2020 yields for each plot.

 

So, do AgroLiquid products stand the test of time? Meaning, do they continue to perform over time? As you can see from our long-term research, the answer is: yes, they will.

See the results from the full 10-year duration of this experiment, along with all of our research results, on our website at research.agroliquid.com.

Check out the other videos on the NCRS YouTube channel!

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The Value of Prescription Fertility

Micronutrients are key to ensuring your crop has everything it needs to reach its fullest potential. Micro 500 is specially designed to provide the plant with a base of the necessary nutrients and can be combined with individual nutrients from AgroLiquid’s microLink lineup to address additional specific needs.

Evaluating multiple locations across the US over the last 20+ years, AgroLiquid has developed win-rates of Micro 500 when added to a corn fertility program. This evaluates both yield and economics to help growers make better decisions on their crop fertility program.

Average of 17 locations across the US; 1996 – 2020

Use rate: 1 – 2 qt/A

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Micro 500 contains the essential micronutrients zinc, manganese, iron, copper, and boron. These micronutrients stimulate healthy growth in a variety of ways, and work synergistically with one another. By improving chlorophyll production and photosynthesis, Micro 500 helps to support every growth stage.

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