With fertiliser prices remaining high, making better use of nutrients to reduce farm costs could be important next season, and trials have shown biostimulants provide a sustainable way to increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE).
Orion Future Technologies trials with KWS showed that silicon-based biostimulant Sirius helped increase the uptake of calcium, copper and iron in winter wheat.
“We applied two foliar sprays and compared to a control. The result was enhanced quality and resilience in all five wheat varieties. We have seen similar results with oilseed rape and noticed that, in particular, potassium uptake was in some cases doubled following the application of Sirius,” says Orion agronomist Mike Stoker.
Through plant analysis, he ascertained that cell wall development and cell division are improved when biostimulants are applied. This helps strengthen the plant and make it more resilient.
“A stronger plant will help drive NUE because the plant is better equipped to utilise the nutrients from fertilisers. As this process unfolds over weeks and months, growers will see the plants thriving and be encouraged not to rely on so much fertiliser to see the desired yield. In essence, using biostimulants is helping the plant do more of the work, rather than forcing the situation,” he adds.
He stresses that biostimulants are not a fertiliser replacement. The role of biostimulants is to help the plant make better use of the nutrients provided by fertilisers, which has the knock-on benefit of reducing the amount of fertiliser used. He points to biostimulants helping to improve root development, nutrient uptake and provide plants with a greater tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought, heat and salinity.
“If a plant can grow deeper seeking roots, it is better placed to withstand drought conditions. Furthermore, if plants are able to assimilate more nutrients and convert those nutrients into proteins, enzymes, chlorophyll, and other essential compounds, it will be stronger and will need fewer inputs, which will save growers time and money while also producing a healthier crop.”
