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Research shows biologicial crop inputs improve nutrient efficiency

A research agronomist says biological products are helping increase yields by increasing the crop’s ability to use fertilizer.

Kip Jacobs from Mosaic Biosciences tells Brownfield so far, most of the big jumps in yield have come from new hybrids developed with traits for things like drought resistance, but nutrient use efficiency is changing how producers increase yields. “We’re starting to show folks, okay, we can get you an average of 3-to-1 ROI (return on investment) on your product but then also for corn, we can get an extra nine pounds of fertilizer into your corn crop, and that’s before your combine ever goes through the field.”

Jacobs says using biologicals can help boost yields by getting more usable nutrients to the plants. “Fifty to sixty, upwards of seventy percent of that invested fertilizer dollar is lost. We really want growers to understand that we’ve got this monumental problem with nutrient use efficiency and we’re trying to target it right at the source with soil microorganisms.”

Jacobs says biologicals are also being used to extend the life of alfalfa stands and help get more bales and tons per acre.