25 Feb Improving Wheat Crop Resilience: Bio-Hum Soil Drench Trial Results
Biolink 4 Plants & Animals recently commissioned independent agricultural researcher SLR Agriculture (WA) to conduct a field trial to investigate the performance of wheat crops with Biolink™ Bio-Hum Soil Drench. The trial followed an earlier investigation where scorching was observed shortly after sowing, leading to the decision to focus on Bio-Hum Soil Drench in this investigation.
Biolink™ Bio-Hum Soil Drench wheat crop trial details:
The trial took place 8.5 km north-west of York, in an area known for high rainfall and Avon Valley loam soils. With a late seeding window, the crop avoided the initial dry conditions and benefitted from warm, wet weather throughout its growing period. However, a dry September and hot temperatures limited the potential for significant yield differences between treatments.
In this trial, different levels of UAN (urea ammonium nitrate) fertiliser were applied—100%, 75%, and 50% of the grower’s standard practice—both with and without Bio-Hum Soil Drench. Treatments were applied in-furrow at seeding, with additional foliar applications at early and late tillering.
The focus of the trial was:
- Plant Emergence: To determine crop safety and assess early growth.
- NDVI and Crop Biomass: To compare crop vigour and assess overall plant health.
- Root Biomass: To evaluate the impact of Bio-Hum Soil Drench on root development and soil health.
Key Findings:
- Improved Crop Safety & Vigour: At the highest UAN rate (100%), Bio-Hum Soil Drench improved crop safety, as observed in early plant emergence. NDVI and biomass assessments showed slight improvements in crop vigour with Bio-Hum at the highest UAN rate, suggesting a positive impact on overall crop health.
- Root Development & Soil Health: Bio-Hum-treated crops exhibited larger and healthier root systems, indicating improved soil health and more vigorous root development.
- Green Leaf Area Retention: In the dry conditions of September and October, Bio-Hum-treated crops retained green leaf area longer than those without Bio-Hum, which likely helped manage moisture retention and stress during the dry period.
- Yield Results: Despite promising crop health and root development results, the dry finish to the season hindered any significant differences in final grain yield between the treatments.
What does the Bio-Hum Soil Drench trial mean for farmers?
- The trial demonstrated that Bio-Hum Soil Drench has the potential to enhance soil health, improve crop safety, and support better root development, even under dry conditions.
- While there were no substantial differences in yield due to the dry season, the improved root size and crop resilience observed with Bio-Hum treatment are promising indicators of its ability to support farming in challenging environments.
“These findings suggest that Biolink™ Bio-Hum Soil Drench can be a valuable tool for farmers aiming to improve crop performance and soil health, especially in dry conditions,” says Kevin (Biolink 4 Plants & Animals co-owner).
Stay tuned for further trials exploring Bio-Hum’s impact on yield and its potential to improve farming outcomes in different environmental conditions.
For more details on the trial and how it can help increase yield on your farm, contact Kevin Beecroft.