The starter package from his supplierretailer
includes a growth stimulant to ensure
fast and uniform germination. It relies on
orthophosphorous for rapid uptake and
includes bacteria and fungi to jumpstart the
interaction of micronutrients with plant root
hairs. EDTA, applied as a chelate, ensures the
micronutrients are released farther into the
season. ( Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid,
widely abbreviated as EDTA)
Not for every producer
While supplier agronomist Matt Harbur is
enthusiastic about the benefits of the program
they offer, he cautions it is not for every
producer. He agrees with Vyn that anything
less than a well-managed system is not going
to accrue full benefits.
"Yield depends on overall management skills,"
says Harbur. "If you aren't taking care of the
basics, why invest in micros? If the basics
are in place, why not be proactive to ensure
environmental conditions don't dial back
yields?"
"The idea is to improve nutrient availability,
enhance the plant immune system and
stimulate root growth and root hairs, which in
soybeans are critical to improving nodulation,
" says Harbur. "We also include phosphite and
monopotassium phosphate. They work like
a vaccine to stimulate the plant to produce
disease-fighting proteins. Once produced, they
are stored and available for a robust defense
38
FARMERS GAZETTE
November 2015
against disease or other pests. We also use low
salt formulations to reduce burning with the
foliar applications."
Schulze sees a benefit from each step in the
program, especially the final soybean foliar
application. "I feel the second trip over the
soybeans keeps late-setting pods from aborting
and gives me more seeds per pod," he says.
Schulze knows the liquid starter has an impact,
thanks to an 'accidental' side-by-side event
last year. "I forgot to activate the liquid starter
valve at the beginning of one pass," he recalls.
"When I came into sidedress, the maize was
three inches shorter than surrounding maize
that received the starter." A 3 inch difference
means significantly more leaf area available
for photosynthesis with implications clear to
harvest and Schulze's bottom line. "The PCT
program paid off before we had high maize
and soya bean prices and I'm confident it will
pay off now," says Schulze.
New Commissioner of Lands
P
resident Lungu has also appointed
Wilfred Kopa Muma from the judiciary as
the new Commissioner of Lands.
The previous Commissioner of Lands, Barnaby
Mulenga, was promoted to Permanent
Secretary in the of Ministry of Lands, Natural
Resources and Environmental Protection under
Minister Christabel Ngimbu.