WITH
continued pressure on plant protection products, establishing crops this coming
season will be as challenging as ever. Growers are encouraged to remember the
relevance of rooting and root health to gain rapid establishment and avoid pest
pressure. Don Pendergrast explains more.
Don
Pendergrast - Product Development & Technical
Manager for UK & Ireland
“The
role of plant nutrition is well known in early crop development, but now,
interest is growing in how best to harness this potential through improved
rooting. Plants source nutrients via the root system and leaves, and one method
of improving rooting is biostimulants - products that can improve the health,
depth and size of roots.
Biostimulants
work by improving the plant’s metabolism, facilitating nutrient and water
absorption through the root system, and by boosting quality attributes such as
fruit setting, grain quality and limiting flower drop. Plant health and vigor
improves a plant’s ability to tolerate stress conditions, so allowing yield to
reach its potential.
But
Biostimulants certainly aren’t a replacement for traditional plant protection
or nutrition products, instead they should be used as a complimentary addition
to encourage overall health and vitality. Because we know so much more now
about how crop nutrition works, we understand that stimulating a plant’s immune
system and metabolism is key, and how this can be influenced in a positive
manner, such as by using biostimulants.
The
biostimulants and biosolutions market makes a considerable contribution to the
sustainable agriculture agenda and we are proud to be developing our portfolio
to include more of these products, such as active ingredient GA142.
GA142 was
developed by Arysta LifeScience for use in biostimulants. It works by unlocking
nutrients in the soil which may otherwise be unavailable to the plant, whilst
stimulating the enzymes that enhance plant root growth. One of our GA142
products is Rooter. Trials have shown that Rooter increases root weight by up
to 40% in a range of crops, allowing better access to nutrition which is vital
in breaking yield barriers.
This is a
valuable tool available to growers this autumn, an example application being
for improving oilseed rape crops resilience against drought stress and flea
beetle damage. It works because improved rooting can help crops to survive dry
weather and access the moisture needed to grow away from cabbage stem flea
beetle attacks. By applying Rooter, growers can help to alleviate both
environmental and pest stresses and break the illusive yield barrier.”
Rooter will be
among the products showcased by Arysta LifeScience at CropTec on
November
29&30. For more information, visit www.arystalifescience.co.uk
Tickets to the CropTec show are free providing you book your tickets in advance: Book here
