In this week’s edition of Growing Possibilities, we’re looking at an important question many growers ask once the drills are parked: Is there anything I can still do to help this crop reach its full potential?
While seeding may be complete, crop nutrition doesn’t stop once the seed is in the ground. In fact, as crops continue to grow and develop, they require a steady supply of nutrients to support root development, energy transfer, flowering, and ultimately yield. One of the most important nutrients in that process is phosphorus (P).
Phosphorus plays a critical role in plant growth. Deficiencies can lead to slower growth, delayed maturity, and reduced yield potential (1). Yet despite its importance, phosphorus presents a unique challenge because much of the phosphorus already present in the soil is unavailable to plants.
More than 80% of Saskatchewan fields would benefit from additional phosphorus, largely because much of the nutrient becomes tied up in the soil and unavailable for plant uptake (2). Even phosphorus fertilizer applied at seeding can become fixed in the soil over time, limiting how much of it is actually available to the crop (3). This is where phosphorus-solubilizing biologicals can play an important role.
Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria are microorganisms that help convert soil-bound phosphorus into forms that plants can access. Research has shown these beneficial bacteria can improve phosphorus availability through the production of organic acids and other biological processes that release tied-up phosphorus from the soil (4). In simple terms, they help crops access phosphorus that is already present but otherwise unavailable. For growers, this means the opportunity to improve nutrient availability even after planting.
XiteBio’s biological phosphorus-solubilizers can be applied in-season. XiteBio® Yield+ contains a patented strain of Bacillus firmus that aggressively colonizes plant roots and works to solubilize soil-bound phosphorus throughout the growing season. This can help support continued crop growth and nutrient uptake when the crop still has significant yield potential ahead of it.
One of the biggest advantages of in-season phosphorus-solubilizers is convenience. XiteBio® Yield+ can be easily added into a tank mix alongside many herbicide and pesticide applications, allowing growers to make an additional pass more productive without significantly changing their application plans. As sprayers head back into the field for weed control and crop protection, it creates another opportunity to support nutrient availability and overall crop performance.
Timing also matters. The 0–6 leaf stage remains a critical window for crop development as plants rapidly build root systems and establish yield potential. Ensuring phosphorus availability during these early growth stages can help support strong plant development and nutrient uptake when demand is increasing. While crops continue utilizing phosphorus throughout the season, helping improve phosphorus availability during this early vegetative window can provide an important foundation for later growth.
Many growers think their fertility decisions are finalized once seeding is complete. However, crops continue taking up nutrients throughout the season. While an early phosphorus supply remains important for establishing strong crops, maintaining phosphorus availability later in the season can also contribute to overall crop performance, particularly when soil phosphorus availability becomes limited (5).
Beyond phosphorus solubilization, beneficial bacteria can also support root growth and overall plant vigor. A stronger root system allows plants to explore a greater volume of soil, accessing additional nutrients and moisture during critical growth stages (6).
As we move further into the growing season, growers often focus on factors they can no longer control. Weather, commodity prices, and market conditions may be out of our hands. However, improving nutrient availability within the crop is still an opportunity that remains available.
If you’re looking to give your crop an additional boost this season, it’s worth considering whether there is still untapped phosphorus sitting in your soil. Biological phosphorus-solubilizers such as XiteBio® Yield+ are designed to help unlock that potential and support healthier plants throughout the growing season.
Because when it comes to phosphorus, what’s already in your field may be more valuable than you think.
References
- https://www.alberta.ca/phosphorus-management-in-crops
- https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/crops-and-irrigation/soils-fertility-and-nutrients/phosphorus-fertilization-in-crop-production
- https://www.cropnutrition.com/nutrient-management/phosphorus/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10745930/
- https://fertilizercanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/4R-P-fertilizer-mgmt-Chapter-8-P-Timing-final.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34438221/