Inoculants ensure your plants have sufficient nodulation, making sure you have a successful soybean/pulse crop. But when you want to use a seed-applied product (like seed treatment or fertilizer) on those same plants, how do you know it will work with the inoculant instead of against it?
The Testing Process #
Our inoculant partner, Rizobacter, is always working to improve the performance of their inoculants — one way they do that is with compatibility testing. Their robust testing process ensures their products perform in the field with seed-applied products.
“Rizobacter’s research consistently shows that high numbers of rhizobia per seed do not always result in effective nodulation, but that size, number, and position of nodules on roots are what matters,” said BrettYoung Corn, Soybeans, and Biologicals Product Manager Vikas Chand.
The process includes on-seed rhizobia counts and grow outs of treated seeds to ensure those rhizobia not only survive but also form sufficient nodules to support your crop.
In Rizobacter’s compatibility testing process, seeds are treated and inoculated, then held at temperatures that represent real world conditions. This measures the on-seed life of the inoculant in combination with the seed-applied products.
These seeds are then planted in sterile soil media to ensure only the rhizobia on the seed are present for the test. The plants then grow and form nodules before being removed from the soil to measure the number, size, and position of the nodules on each plant to assess the impact of the treatment.
“This robust testing process allows us to support some of the longest on-seed life ratings on the market,” said Chand. “And to stand behind our products with confidence.”
More Help #
Many of BrettYoung’s inoculants come equipped with Osmo Protector technology, which strengthens the cell walls of the rhizobia, resulting in tougher, high performance bacteria with longer on-seed survival. Rhizobia with Osmo Protector Technology are also better equipped to withstand the tough Prairie conditions like hot, dry soils and to survive exposure to seed treatments. In other words, these inoculants have excellent compatibility.
Our soybean inoculants also come equipped with Bio Inducer technology, which accelerates and improves nodulation. This not only maximizes nitrogen fixation but improves yield potential for your crop.
“Rizobacter’s compatibility testing process is industry leading,” said Chand. “When combined with Osmo Protector Technology and Bio Inducer Technology, we know your crops will thrive.”
To learn more about BrettYoung and Rizobacter inoculants click here.
