As farmers continue planting their crops, early signs indicate a growing shift from canola to wheat in Canada. This trend is driven by tariffs imposed by China and trade uncertainties stemming from the U.S. Additionally, in recent years, U.S. farmers have been producing less wheat, prompting Canadian farmers to fill the gap.
Despite wheat’s agronomic challenges, inoculants can help address key concerns such as improving nutrient use efficiency, enhancing stress tolerance, and suppressing certain pathogens. Beyond immediate market effects, innovations in microbial inoculants have the potential to transform wheat agronomy. Some researchers and companies are investigating plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) specifically for cereals, aiming not only to improve yield but also to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. Tracking these developments could provide insight into the future of crop management as shifting trade policies and market dynamics reshape agriculture. (1)
In times of economic uncertainty, additional investments can be challenging. However, any measure that enhances wheat crop health and yield warrants serious consideration. One significant advantage of PGPRs is their ability to increase crop stress tolerance. PGPRs play a vital role in enhancing water and nutrient absorption while strengthening a plant’s resilience to both abiotic and biotic stress, helping crops thrive in drought and other unfavorable conditions. (2)
Active bacteria trigger several mechanisms that improve photosynthesis, particularly under stress. The presence of PGPR can boost the photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll levels, both of which contribute to higher grain yields. Inoculating wheat also strengthens the oxidative membrane, further supporting the crop’s ability to withstand drought. (3) In addition to improving stress tolerance, PGPRs enhance nutrient uptake by influencing plant hormone levels. This process results in a larger root surface area, which allows for greater nutrient absorption over time. (4)
Applying PGPR is one of the most effective ways to boost profit margins, as the previously mentioned benefits collectively lead to increased yield. Some studies have reported up to a 60% increase in yield with the use of PGPR. (5)
At XiteBio Technologies, our flagship PGPR product, XiteBio Yield+, leverages this technology to enhance crop health and yield. It is suitable for all oilseeds, cereals, and legumes, meaning farmers who recently switched crops can still benefit from its application. XiteBio Yield+ can also be applied during early post-emergence, so there is still time for spray application. Regardless of whether the crop is a cereal, oilseed, or legume, XiteBio Yield+ is the optimal choice for Healthier Plants and Better Yields.
References
- https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/tariffs-canola-seen-supercharging-canadian-farmers-shift-spring-wheat-2025-06-09/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2018.01473/full
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8066330/#:~:text=Wheat%20inoculated%20with%20strain%20Burkholderia,the%20art%20concerning%20these%20mechanisms
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.667150/full
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/plant-growth-promoting-rhizobacteria#:~:text=The%20PGPR%20comprises%20the%20following,1994;%20Glick%2C%201995