Grainswest - Winter 2023

Winter 2023 grainswest.com 33 “Every time I’ve tried anything, it has not worked. I’ve been skeptical, but I like trying things because I like to know for myself.” — Devin Hartzler plots across Western Canada. Most trials included wheat and canola. “Nitrogen was not the yield-limiting factor in 2021,” said Ratzlaff, of the year’s drought conditions. “But we still saw really promising yield results when you look at the whole program.” Corteva’s 2022 program was even larger. The data is still coming in, but Ratzlaff is optimistic about yield results given plots were grown under better conditions. Syngenta plans to launch a similar biofertility product in Canada in 2023. Envita is a nitrogen-fixing bacteria product that contains Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus , a food- grade bacteria. Bacteria begin fixing nitrogen from the air within seven to 14 days after application, which can be done in-furrow or as a foliar treatment, said Brady Code, Syngenta Canada technical lead. As with Utrisha N, the process is intended to provide the plant with an additional source of nitrogen as needed throughout the season. Envita is registered for use on a broad range of row crops including corn, canola, cereals and soybeans. Field-scale trials have been conducted across Canada over the last two years. The trials saw positive, neutral and negative results, which helped in the development of best management practices for farmers who apply Envita, according to Code. In some cases, no noticeable differences were observed, especially where nitrogen from manure was readily available in the soil. “But in the field that … did not have a history of hog manure, Envita showed a significant response within the crop,” said Code. The field saw a five- to six-bushel yield response, he added. The eventual intent is farmers will be able to use Envita to help meet the nitrogen requirements of their crops and with experience adjust their fertilizer program accordingly. “But we’re not at that stage right now,” said Code. There is not yet a way to confirm the bacteria has indeed colonized the plant, but Syngenta is working with researchers to devise a method. INDEPENDENT FIELD TRIALS Over the last two summers, independent agronomists have conducted field trials in Alberta that compared yield and quality data in treated and untreated fields of CPSR, CWRS and durum wheat. For the most part, their results were underwhelming. For instance, Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension specialist for the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) and Alberta Barley, conducted trials on four farms this past summer. Three compared results of Utrisha N and Envita, while one trial looked at Utrisha N only. Product was foliar applied at herbicide timing at the five- to six-leaf stage when the wheat had two to three tillers. In each case, the farmer worked directly with a professional agronomist to ensure product was properly mixed and applied. Boychyn said they avoided tank mixing with herbicides in case it had a detrimental effect on the biostimulant being tested. All trials were replicated and randomized at least four times. Product cost per acre was $12.50 for Envita, and $12.95 for Utrisha N. Actual cost of application will depend on whether or not farmers include the product in the same pass as their regular herbicide application. To make a return on investment, a farmer would need a one to 1.5 bu/ac yield bump. Across the board, though, Boychyn said no significant differences in yield or quality were observed. “It’s unfortunate we saw the results we did,” said Boychyn. “I think there is a desire from farmers to find solutions like this. We just need to make sure it actually works and provides value to the farmer.” Field trial participants included Devin Hartzler, a Carstairs area farmer and AWC region 2 director. Utrisha N was trialled on his farm. “Every time I’ve tried anything, it has not worked,” said Hartzler. “I’ve been skeptical, but I like trying things because I like to know for myself.” Although the trial results showed no measurable difference in yield, Hartzler said he’s still somewhat hopeful and added he’s curious to hear the results of field trials conducted by agronomist Craig Shand. Shand, owner of Chinook Agronomics, conducted trials with clients in Central Alberta, none of which were randomized or replicated. In 2021, one of Shand's customers devoted 80 acres of a quarter-section of CWRS to Utrisha N and left the remainder of the field untreated.