The perfect storm of continued volatile input costs, and challenging drilling conditions, have put even greater pressure on grower margins. However, alternative biological options, in combination with reduced chemical inputs, can offer cost-savings, yield and sustainability benefits.
With the likely scarcity of certified spring cereal seeds following the storm interruptions at winter drilling, getting cereal crops off to a good start will be paramount.
Biological seed treatments can encourage speedy crop establishment and root biomass in the current adverse weather conditions, while also reducing overall input costs and achieving a significant return on investment.
AminoA STAART seed treatment has been demonstrated to improve yields, in cereals and legumes, by maximising early crop vigour and emergence.
Caption: AminoA STAART has been demonstrated to improve yields
Fully approved for use in organic systems by OF&G, the seed treatment contains a complex of 18 L-isomer amino-acids and natural phytohormones, essential for early growth and development, while increasing the plants resistance to abiotic and biotic stress.
“AminoA STAART encourages vigorous root development and growth, while improving the efficiency of other agrochemicals and fertilisers,” explains Richard Phillips, AminoA managing director.
“It combines a broad spectrum of amino acids, natural phytohormones, fulvic and humic acids, supported by a balanced nutrition pack,” he adds.
“Combined, this helps stimulate continuous root development which increases the plants’ ability to uptake nutrients, ultimately increasing yields and improving profits.”
Caption: AminoA STAART increases thickness of stem walls
Trials
In fully replicated trials with PGRO, 2021, with Spring Bean, variety Lynx, a five litre tonne seed treatment alone produced an 890 kg tonne yield increase.
Caption: PGRO bean trials
Fully replicated trials in Spring Barley, variety Laureate, saw a three litre tonne seed treatment produced a yield increase over 500 kg/ha, to produce an impressive yield of more than 10 t/ha on a site where there was no response to fungicides.
Caption: Scottish Agronomy trials – spring barley
Elsewhere, responses of up to 9 t/ha were seen in Sugar Beet from placing STAART in the pellet.
The additional benefit of the seed treatment is its robustness, working in both favourable and adverse conditions, having been independently trialled across various crops including spring barley, winter wheat and spring beans.
“Whether the growing conditions are good or bad, using STAART gives an excellent return on investment,” says Mr Phillips.
Cost benefits when interacting with fungicides
AminoA FLO, the UK manufacturer’s original bio-stimulant and nutrient source, revealed further performance and cost benefits when interacting with fungicides, with Velcourt trials in 2023 supporting evidence produced in NIAB winter wheat trials over the previous four seasons.
Waterlogged crops will benefit from a 2-litre ha application as soon as possible to promote rooting.
AminoA has also introduced a new hybrid bio-stimulant product that reduces the total nitrogen application needed on crops by 25% or more. By supplying the plant with amine nitrogen, amino-acids and micronutrients, AminoA BLAAZT is an extremely efficient means of sustaining efficient plant growth.
Reduce environmental footprints
When faced with growing pressure from industry and Government to reduce environmental footprints, AminoA’s biological solutions combine proven and independently tested performance alongside crucial environmental benefits.
“Bio-stimulants are now becoming mainstream inputs, regulated worldwide, and suitable for use in all crops,” says Mr Phillips.
“It is about how biological products can help reduce the speed of disease development, as well as boost yields and quality. It is about understanding all elements of the growing process, from soil health to disease resistance to the interaction between biological solutions and agrochemicals.
“Properly formulated bio-stimulants can reduce grower costs and improve profits, as well as reducing the environmental impact of agrochemicals. Moreover, they can provide yield, performance and quality benefits, while helping reduce carbon footprints and overall input spend on expensive agrochemicals,” he concludes.
Video links
Realising the potential of amino acids to stimulate plant growth
Introduction
STAART (carrots)
STAART (sweetcorn)
STAART (parsnips)
STAART (peas)
With the likely scarcity of certified spring cereal seeds following the storm interruptions at winter drilling, getting cereal crops off to a good start will be paramount.
Biological seed treatments can encourage speedy crop establishment and root biomass in the current adverse weather conditions, while also reducing overall input costs and achieving a significant return on investment.
AminoA STAART seed treatment has been demonstrated to improve yields, in cereals and legumes, by maximising early crop vigour and emergence.
Caption: AminoA STAART has been demonstrated to improve yields
Fully approved for use in organic systems by OF&G, the seed treatment contains a complex of 18 L-isomer amino-acids and natural phytohormones, essential for early growth and development, while increasing the plants resistance to abiotic and biotic stress.
“AminoA STAART encourages vigorous root development and growth, while improving the efficiency of other agrochemicals and fertilisers,” explains Richard Phillips, AminoA managing director.
“It combines a broad spectrum of amino acids, natural phytohormones, fulvic and humic acids, supported by a balanced nutrition pack,” he adds.
“Combined, this helps stimulate continuous root development which increases the plants’ ability to uptake nutrients, ultimately increasing yields and improving profits.”
Caption: AminoA STAART increases thickness of stem walls
Trials
In fully replicated trials with PGRO, 2021, with Spring Bean, variety Lynx, a five litre tonne seed treatment alone produced an 890 kg tonne yield increase.
Caption: PGRO bean trials
Fully replicated trials in Spring Barley, variety Laureate, saw a three litre tonne seed treatment produced a yield increase over 500 kg/ha, to produce an impressive yield of more than 10 t/ha on a site where there was no response to fungicides.
Caption: Scottish Agronomy trials – spring barley
Elsewhere, responses of up to 9 t/ha were seen in Sugar Beet from placing STAART in the pellet.
The additional benefit of the seed treatment is its robustness, working in both favourable and adverse conditions, having been independently trialled across various crops including spring barley, winter wheat and spring beans.
“Whether the growing conditions are good or bad, using STAART gives an excellent return on investment,” says Mr Phillips.
Cost benefits when interacting with fungicides
AminoA FLO, the UK manufacturer’s original bio-stimulant and nutrient source, revealed further performance and cost benefits when interacting with fungicides, with Velcourt trials in 2023 supporting evidence produced in NIAB winter wheat trials over the previous four seasons.
Waterlogged crops will benefit from a 2-litre ha application as soon as possible to promote rooting.
AminoA has also introduced a new hybrid bio-stimulant product that reduces the total nitrogen application needed on crops by 25% or more. By supplying the plant with amine nitrogen, amino-acids and micronutrients, AminoA BLAAZT is an extremely efficient means of sustaining efficient plant growth.
Reduce environmental footprints
When faced with growing pressure from industry and Government to reduce environmental footprints, AminoA’s biological solutions combine proven and independently tested performance alongside crucial environmental benefits.
“Bio-stimulants are now becoming mainstream inputs, regulated worldwide, and suitable for use in all crops,” says Mr Phillips.
“It is about how biological products can help reduce the speed of disease development, as well as boost yields and quality. It is about understanding all elements of the growing process, from soil health to disease resistance to the interaction between biological solutions and agrochemicals.
“Properly formulated bio-stimulants can reduce grower costs and improve profits, as well as reducing the environmental impact of agrochemicals. Moreover, they can provide yield, performance and quality benefits, while helping reduce carbon footprints and overall input spend on expensive agrochemicals,” he concludes.
Video links
Realising the potential of amino acids to stimulate plant growth
Introduction
STAART (carrots)
STAART (sweetcorn)
STAART (parsnips)
STAART (peas)