LUARS research shows benefit of biologicals

Field research conducted at the Lakehead University Research Station has shown that two novel products could bring yield benefits for wheat and canola growers.

Research station manager Dr. Tarlok Singh Sahota says treating wheat seed with EcoTea at the rate of four grams per kg of seed increased wheat grain yield by 1.22 MT/ha, straw yield by 1.32 MT/ha and biomass yield by 2.49 MT/ha) averaged over three years of study. On the other hand, the trials found no yield benefit from treating barley, canola, or soybeans with EcoTea.

Sahota also suggests farmers “could try a soil application of Holganix 800+ at a rate of 0.625 L/ha before seeding canola.” In his plots, the practice increased canola seed yield by 1.07 MT/ha, straw yield by 2.06 MT/ha, and biomass yield by 3.13 MT/ha. “Surprisingly, wheat, and barley didn’t benefit from the application of Holganix 800+,” he noted in his research report.

Source: Peter Reschke, Ontario Farmer, Tuesday, April 20, 2024, Page B3.