A new plant growth stimulant combining phosphite with zinc, manganese and other important nutrients is now available as a seed treatment for 2012 autumn drilling. Manufactured by micronutrient specialist Fielder (UK) Ltd, Kickstart is compatible with all fungicide and insecticide seed treatments and is suitable for cereals, oilseed rape and most other crops.
Alongside generous levels of phosphite, zinc and manganese, Kickstart also provides phosphate, nitrogen, potassium and amino acids, all of which have an important role.
“This is a seed treatment that provides a complete nutrient package for the emergence and establishment phases,” Fielder UK’s Barrie Hawkin said. “It could avoid the need for certain other applications.
“Kickstart is formulated to move stand-alone manganese seed treatments to the next level with the phosphite and zinc encouraging better nutrient translocation within the germinating seed. We’ve seen a threefold increase in root biomass initiated by the phosphite/zinc complex, giving the germinating seed greater capacity to extract water and nutrient from the soil to speed emergence and establishment.
“Trials we are carrying out this year show an improvement in the evenness of crop establishment and a dramatic increase in root growth. Kickstart has clearly demonstrated an ability to help crops overcome early manganese deficiency.
“We have also seen improved winter hardiness and greater drought tolerance as a result of the better start that crops have as a result of the enhanced nutrient availability at a critical stage. I would expect the results we have seen to date to translate into increased yields.”
Fielder has 20 years experience in foliar phosphite and phosphate nutrition, working in mainstream crops as well as beet, edible brassicas, carrots, onions, lettuce and herbs. The company has spent three years researching phosphite-based seed treatments, with Kickstart applicable as a plant growth stimulant to anything grown from seed. Kickstart is supplied in 20-litre drums sufficient to treat eight tonnes of cereal or maize seed or six tonnes of oilseed rape or pulse seed.
https://fieldernutrition.com/
