Should you use inoculants and ag-biologicals in-furrow on soybeans? Evidence is piling up that this method can help farmers to take their beans to the next level. In this week’s edition of Growing Possibilities, we explore best practices for applying an inoculant or ag-biological with a liquid in-furrow fertility program. We also look at real-world applications to determine if this method can help growers to achieve higher yields.
Can applying inoculants and ag-biologicals in-furrow help to grow record setting soybeans? Well, when Alex Harrel grew 218 bu/ac soybeans this past summer and broke his own world record he included ag-biologicals and PGR’s delivered in-furrow at time of planting in his fertility program (1). Of course, the details of all the inputs used by record setters like Harrel are a closely guarded secret. And we are not suggesting that farmers across North America are going to grow 200+ bu/ac beans anytime soon by using ag-biologicals in-furrow. High yield records like this are a demonstration of what is possible rather than an aspirational norm. However, there are farmers working to create economically viable high yielding soybean crops using ag-biologicals in-furrow. Yields in the 70-80 bu/ac range have been found to provide good ROI riding the line between input and output (2).
At XiteBio we focus on ROI. We believe that it is important to deliver a product that is both biologically and economically viable. What does this mean? Well, it means that our production and packing methods ensure that you get a high number of live bugs delivered to you in our bag-in-a-box inoculant and ag-biological products. We guarantee a minimum number of colony forming units (CFU) per mL of our products (3). This ensures that when ag-biologicals hit the soil they can promptly activate and go to work accessing nutrients and enhancing the growth of the plant. Using our products in-furrow just ensures that they can get to work that much sooner.
Doug Tigges, US Sales Manager at XiteBio says that when he sells in-furrow ag-biological products to his customers it is all about making incremental improvements. “You know if last year you grew, say, 65-bushel beans, probably your goal is not to grow 65. It’s probably to grow 70, right? So, you have to think about new ways to go to 70. And we’re part of that solution. There’s lots of things that go into being successful growing your soybean crop. But this is one thing you can do that doesn’t cost a lot of money and will always consistently give you a good return on your investment,” says Tigges.
But what do growers have to say about using ag-biologicals in-furrow? “There’s a product called OptiPlus® from XiteBio,” says Chris Tuchscherer Owner of Optimum Ag Solutions in North Dakota “It’s a liquid in-furrow we do it with our soybeans, got quite a few clients who are using it with their soybeans and very happy with the results.” In Southern Manitoba growers are also seeing results. With XiteBio® OptiPlus® “we see better colour, better plant health. We’ve seen better nodulation in the plants that we pulled,” says Jake Ayre or Southern Seed Ltd.
XiteBio® OptiPlus® has two active ag-biologicals that have distinct modes of action. The first active is Bradyrhizobium japonicum with Advanced Growth Promoting Technology (AGPT®). The rhizobium form nodules on the roots of the plant to fix N while the AGPT® formulation nourishes the native soil microflora to ensure the applied product works in synergy with the soil. The second active is our patented Bacillus firmus based ag-biological which solubilizes phosphorus (P), produces plant growth hormones and chelates iron (in high pH soils).
By applying these actives together, in-furrow growers can help to ensure that nutrients reach the plant early. Early growth is important in soybeans as it allows them to quickly close the canopy. This results in higher levels of photosynthesis that help to enhance and lengthen the pod fill stage leading to higher yields at harvest (4). If you are a grower, retailer or custom planter with in-furrow capability give us a call to try XiteBio® OptiPlus® on your operation today. As with all our products, we believe that on average it will lead to increased ROI as well as healthier plants and better yields.
1. https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2024/08/13/alex-harrell-breaks-world-record-218
2. https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/3354-building-a-better-biological-habitat-by-extending-the-life-of-applied-nutrients
3. https://xitebio.ca/xitebio-optiplusdual-inoculant-for-soybeans/
4. https://www.realagriculture.com/2023/04/soybean-school-boosting-yield-with-starter-and-pop-up-fertilizer/