Employing microbial inoculants to enhance crop productivity isn't a new practice.
For decades, we've utilised this technique, particularly when sowing legumes. Surprisingly, however, when it comes to planting other grain crops like wheat and barley, the use of beneficial soil microbes has been largely overlooked.
Bacstim® Seed, Omnia Specialities’ five-strain Bacillus product, was designed for coating seeds before planting, and is suitable for all grain crop production systems. Featuring spore forming capabilities, the microbes can survive on the seed for over 12 months post coating. Moreover, they are compatible with fungicides and other nutrient products used during the seed coating process.
This distinct property allows for ease of application onto seed without much effort or cost implication.
Other benefits of Bacstim® Seed include:
- Enhanced Seedling Vigor: promoting robust seedling growth by enhancing root development and nutrient uptake.
- Nutrient Availability: as it can solubilise nutrients in the soil, making them more readily available to plants.
- Stress Tolerance: Bacillus are known to induce systemic resistance in plants, helping them withstand various environmental stressors. This is particularly important for broadacre crops, being exposed to diverse conditions.
- Yield Enhancement: taking into account the above benefits, farmers often see improved crop yields and overall crop quality.
- Soil Health: over time, the use of these beneficial bacteria can contribute to enhanced microbial activity and soil health.
Trial Results
Over four years, independent wheat trials in South East Queensland were run using Bacstim® Seed. Two of the years’ experienced below average rainfall and two were ideal. Bacstim® Seed outperformed every time, demonstrating the effects these microbes have during tough and ideal seasons.
Over this four-year period, the average yield increase was over 700kg/ha with a return on investment of $65 per dollar spent, making Bacstim® Seed an obvious addition to any broadacre cropping program.
The benefits of Bacstim® Seed are also reaped when co-inoculation with Rhizobium in legume crops, including improvements in nodulation. Trials in Mingenew, WA performed by independent consultants, have measured a 36 percent increase in nodulation on Lupins when applied to the seed together with the inoculant. Thus illustrating increased microbial activity when applied in conjunction with Bacstim® Seed.
Control vs Bacstim Seed nodulation
As Australia looks towards the future of grain crop production, Bacstim® Seed emerges when needed the most, promoting sustainability, productivity, and the overall health of agricultural landscapes. With Bacstim® Seed, Australian farmers gain a powerful ally in their quest for more vigorous and bountiful grain crops, effectively bridging the gap between current practices and the untapped potential of soil microbes.
This article was written by Omnia for Seasons magazine.
Please note: this article contains information of a general nature, and does not take into account your personal objectives, situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided, and seek advice on whether it is fit for your circumstances.