USA wheat multi-year trials

In-field use and demonstrations in Australia’s cropping regions had identified positive yield responses when applying BioAg’s fermented liquid cultures on a range of crops.

Agricenter International was engaged to perform a range of trials for BioAg, to evaluate the impacts of applying BioAg’s liquid biostimulants over a range of crop and fertiliser regimes. In 2019 and 2020 wheat trials were included.

This report details the outcomes of trials performed on wheat. Each year, a full biostimulant treatment was applied to a fertiliser application representing Grower Standard Practice (GSP).

Trial aim

To evaluate the impact on wheat yields when applying BioAg liquid biostimulants to fertiliser regimes representing GSP.

Method

The analysis was done using small plot replicated trials. The first treatment was always Grower Standard Practice (GSP) with additional treatments incorporating BioAg biostimulants at and post-planting.

Results

Yield results for treatments are provided below in tonnes per hectare:

Yield results per treatment per year

GSP (T1) v GSP with Soil & Seed (T2)

This treatment provided a 17% and 15% yield increase in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The increases are above the LSD (Least Significant Difference) in both years.

GSP (T1) v GSP + Full Program (T3)

This treatment provided a 38% and 35% yield increase in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The increases are above the LSD (Least Significant Difference) in both years. The additional yield achieved with the full program was supported by good growing seasons where the vegetative biostimulant and the fruiting biostimulant were applied in periods of good to excellent soil moisture.

Yield Improvement over GSP Soil Biostimulant and Soil and Foliar Biostimulants

Conclusion

The use of either a soil biostimulant, or a full program of soil and foliar biostimulants, delivered yield increases over grower standard practice (GSP).

These increases were not only statistically significant (being greater than the Least Significant Difference at a P = 0.05) but also provided a significant economical return.

While a full program delivered the greatest yield benefit, it was supported by good to excellent soil moisture levels, this is not always the case in Australian conditions and should be considered prior to use.