Zinc Boosting Solution Helps Increase Wheat Yields

Cary, NC (August 19, 2015)

Wheat production management that provides your wheat crop with additional zinc is proven to increase wheat yield and can contribute to better net income from wheat production.

Traditionally it has been difficult to find a way that is practical and affordable to provide the zinc that wheat needs. Fortunately for wheat farmers seeking that extra increment of yield potential, Verdesian Life Sciences has developed an efficient and economical way to meet the wheat crop’s need for zinc. Verdesian now offers Tuxedo™ Cereals micronutrient seed treatment.

The majority of U.S. winter wheat growing areas have soils that test below 0.75 parts per million (ppm) of available zinc content. University testing and research by private companies show that wheat crops in these widespread soil conditions respond with an economically significant yield response to practices that make more zinc available.

The role of zinc in wheat production A field may have been tested, managed and treated to meet the wheat crop’s macronutrient needs (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and water) but micronutrient deficiency can prevent the crop from reaching its full yield potential. Zinc is a micronutrient for wheat but its potential effect on a wheat crop is not small. “It is well known wheat that has adequate zinc displays stronger emergence, faster stand establishment, healthier root growth, greater plant vigor and increased yield potential,” said Ryan Bond, Ph.D., vice president of marketing and product development for Verdesian Life Sciences.

Wheat requires zinc in small but critical concentrations for several key actions, including: seedling vigor, photosynthesis, plant and seed grain membrane functions, protein synthesis, sugar formation, phytohormone synthesis (for example, auxin), and defense against disease and stress factors including improved drought resistance.

Additional available zinc improves early season performance, which can set wheat up for increased yields. Even when a plant’s macronutrients of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and water are met, zinc deficiency is likely to prevent plants from reaching their full potential.

Tuxedo Cereals micronutrient seed treatment In the case of wheat and zinc, the need and potential benefit is easy to measure. The increased yield potential by meeting a crop’s micronutrient needs must be practical within common farming practices and cost-effective. Due to production practices and cost challenges being significant, micronutrients are sometimes skipped or overlooked in crop management.

New Tuxedo Cereals seed treatment from Verdesian allows wheat growers to meet the wheat crop’s zinc requirement with a simple addition to the wheat planting process. Treating wheat seed to improve crop performance is already recommended and common. By including Tuxedo Cereals in your seed treatment, you can deliver the zinc your wheat is missing.

In-field performance The technology used in Tuxedo Cereals creates an as-needed micronutrient source for the plant – protecting zinc from outside interference and keeping it available to the crop longer. The exclusive polymer technology protects zinc from chemically bonding with other compounds and minerals commonly present in the soil. “You may have heard about the problem of soil binding with other micronutrient delivery techniques,” Bond said. “This is not the case with the technology in Tuxedo — and it allows for a lower, more economical application rate than other methods.” Soil-applied zinc offers more consistent yield response than foliar applications, Bond said. “In-the-soil, seed-applied zinc, like Tuxedo, is a better option,” Bond added. Tuxedo Cereals seed treatment is designed to provide the right amount of zinc where and when the wheat crop needs it.

Return on seed treatment investment The testing of the Tuxedo Cereals product includes more than 50 trials across U.S. wheat growing regions. The results of these trials have shown a four to one return on investment. Recent testing results include winter wheat trials that recorded an 8.8 bushel per acre yield advantage.

For more information on Tuxedo Cereals micronutrient seed treatment or to find a dealer near you, contact your Verdesian Life Sciences technical sales representative by visiting vlsci.com or call 800.350.4789.