New trials have confirmed the benefits of using seaweed extract based bio-stimulants to improve rooting and reduce stress in oilseed rape.

The most effective programme produced a 0.8t/ha (27%) yield response and a 0.2t/ha (16%) increase in total oil yield from autumn and spring use of Maxicrop Triple.

Based on oilseed rape at current farm values (£390/t) this yield improvement alone would be worth an extra £285/ha after the cost of treatment.

According to Maxicrop UK’s Mike Garner, while a range of factors are probably at play, the response is probably due to better rooting in difficult conditions and then the resultant improvement in spring and summer growth.

“Oilseed rape typically sets a very strong tap root, but is often slow to produce fine, secondary roots after emergence,” he says.

“This effect is often exacerbated in difficult autumns like 2011 and without these fibrous roots the plant’s ability to take up nutrients and moisture later on in the season is restricted.”

Mr Garner also points out that poor rooting often leads to poor establishment with poor ground cover, leaving the crop open to greater attack by pigeons and more susceptible to winter kill.

The independent trials – conducted by NDSM Ltd in 2011-12 – for the first time bolted on an autumn application at the 3-5 leaf stage of the crop to a tried and tested spring application commonly timed at stem extension.

This two pronged spray approach increased yield in the trial variety, Compass, grown on stress prone light land from 2.7 to 3.5t/ha.

While analyses of root or shoot biomass were not taken, measurements of boron in plant tissues confirmed better nutrient uptake potential of the Maxicrop Triple treated plants.

Levels in plant tissue in the spring ranged from 8-20% higher. “Treated crops were better able to scavenge more boron from the soil and effectively use it to fuel growth,” says Mr Garner.

“We have seen the benefits of a spring application of Maxicrop Triple in the past but this trial shows that the product can help improve early emergence and then maintain growth over a contrasting season.

“Fundamental research has shown that specific carbohydrates in our seaweed extracts serve as a source of food for beneficial and benign soil bacteria, resulting in a large increase in microbe numbers,” he points out.

“These microbes help improve nutrient turn-over leading to a significantly larger root mass and the increased bacterial population can also both physically exclude and compete with potential plant pathogenic soil fungi.

“In addition, soil and foliar application of Maxicrop Triple has been shown in University Research to result in greater maintenance of chlorophyll, leading to greener plants.

“This is, in part, due to a complex family of different betaines in the seaweed extract, which help reduce natural damage to the photosynthetic process.

“The practical benefits of these principle effects within the plant are to minimise some of the stresses imposed on the crop during key periods of growth and hence to keep the crop on course for high yields.

“Our advice to growers this year is to utilise Maxicrop Triple at 2-3l/ha both in the autumn and then in the spring, tank mixed with standard fungicides to counteract the varied stresses that curtail crop potential at these stages.

“While crops now have sufficient moisture to encourage early growth, many, particularly in the north, are drilled late and these will need all the help they can get to make up for the delay.”

For further information contact technical.uk@valagro.com

Download the PDF factsheet here

Maxicrop Natural Fertiliser is a 5:2:5 NPK liquid with added seaweed and plant extracts. The product is suitable for use either as a foliar feed or it can be applied to the roots or soil, as a drench. It is designed to supplement plant nutrition during the growing season  and can be safely used on a wide range of crops and plant types. Maxicrop Natural  Fertiliser is approved by the Soil Association for use in organic production systems.  In addition to providing a balanced level of nutrition, Maxicrop Natural Fertiliser also has the added benefit of containing seaweed extract, which has various beneficial effects, including:

• Stimulating beneficial soil microbes
• Boosting root growth, development and health
• Enhancing chlorophyll production and retention
• Boosting the plant’s natural health mechanisms
• Helping the plant to withstand and recover from stress such as heat, cold, drought, wind damage, pest and disease attack, etc.

The net effect of using Maxicrop Natural Fertiliser is to produce a strong, healthy plant which can meet the growth stresses encountered during  the growing season, resulting in top yields and quality for the grower.

• Foliar sprayer: apply @ 4-6 litres per ha in 200-600 litres of water/ha.  Apply when enough leaf cover is available, at 10-14 day intervals or as  required. For use in knapsack sprayers, apply 125 mls in 10 litres of water.  Apply at 10-14 day intervals or as required.
• Soil drench: apply 4.5 mls of product in 1 litre of water and apply to the root zone at 10-14 day intervals or as required. Once diluted, use within  3 days and flush fertigation lines after use.
• Product compatibility: To minimize the risk of potential compatibility  issues, Maxicrop Natural Fertiliser should not be tank mixed with trace  element products (e.g. Zn, Mn, Fe, Mg) . Due to the wide range of different  spray products available, it is impossible to test all combinations and  Maxicrop cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage. If in doubt,  Maxicrop recommend carrying out a bucket test to check compatibility.

Maxicrop Natural Fertiliser is available in boxes of 2 x 10 litre bottles.

Click here to download our PDF factsheet.