Page 23 - AWA Vol.42-No.1 issue

CROP PROTECTION

ProGro BIO Releases New Independent Research
ProGro BIO announced new third-par- fertility and structure, higher biological
ty research demonstrating that Rhi- activity, better moisture retention, and
zol®, the company's flagship microbi- enhanced soil nitrogen content—all
al soil inoculant, delivers impressive critical for nutrient retention and crop
and measurable improvements to productivity. For growers, these im-
soil health and crop nutrition across provements translate into soils that are
real-world field conditions. The find- more productive, more resilient, and
ings, based on more than 1,000 inde- more consistent year after year.
pendently analyzed soil samples, con- Improved Nutrient Uptake by Plants
firm what growers consistently report
when using Rhizol: stronger soils, bet- To determine how improved soil re-
ter nutrient efficiency, and crops that tention of key plant-essential nutri-
make better use of available fertility. ents affects plant nutrition, ProGro BIO
also conducted significant multi-site
Zach Lancaster, Director of Field trient index is a tool used to assess the
Agronomy & Grower Relations at Pro- potential for plant essential elements to plant-tissue sampling, processed in-
Gro BIO, emphasized how these re- move from soils utilized for agricultural dependently by Waypoint Analytical
sults align with on-farm experience: production into surface water. Put sim- in Memphis, Tennessee. The results
"Growers want products that prove ply, if the nutrient index is higher, then of these tests demonstrated a clear
themselves in the field, not just in a lab. there is a higher likelihood that said nu- and consistent pattern: crops grown
What this independent data shows is trient could leach into water and be lost in Rhizol-treated soils displayed higher
exactly what growers who integrate by way of mass flow. Likewise, if the in- tissue concentrations of essential nutri-
Rhizol in their operations are experi- dex is lower, there is a lower likelihood ents compared to untreated controls.
encing. Rhizol helps keep nutrients of the same. Rhizol-enhanced nutrient uptake sup-
where they belong, strengthens soil ports early vigor and stand strength,
function, and supports better in-season Nutrient-index testing also revealed enhanced stress tolerance, and im-
crop performance. It's a practical tool a clear trend. While pre-planting vari- proved yield potential under variable
ability appeared similar across all
that delivers real value across different conditions.
soil types and management systems." plots, post-harvest nutrient mobility
was consistently lower in Rhizol-treat- These outcomes reinforce Rhizol's role
Improved Nutrient Retention ed soils—including key elements such as a dependable, season-long partner
The research was conducted by the as phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and for crop nutrition. With fertilizer costs
North Carolina Department of Agri- nitrogen. Lower nutrient-index values remaining volatile and nutrient regula-
culture & Consumer Services (NCDA indicate that more nutrients remain tions continuing to tighten across many
& CS) Agronomics Division, using soil in the root zone where crops can use regions, Rhizol gives growers a prov-
samples collected from treated and them, less leaching, volatility, and run- en, field-ready way to build healthi-
untreated field sections both before off risk, and greater efficiency from ev- er soils, reduce nutrient loss, and get
planting and after harvest. The nutrient ery unit of applied fertility. more value from every acre throughout
index is a tool used to assess the like- Organic Matter – Soil Nitrogen Im- the season input costs remaining high
lihood that plant-essential elements— provement and market values projected to remain
such as phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, Across this large, diverse dataset, soils compressed, growers need a product
and others— may move from soils and treated with Rhizol also demonstrated a to put side by side applied nutrients to
be lost by way of leeching, volatiliza- meaningful, statistically significant in- achieve maximum benefit.
tion, surface runoff, etc. Higher index crease in Humic Matter (HM%) when
values correspond to a greater proba- compared to untreated soils. This mea- Blake Young, CEO of ProGro BIO,
bility of nutrient loss; lower values in- surable improvement is consistent with highlighted the importance of these
dicate stronger nutrient retention. The Rhizol's documented ability to enhance results for growers navigating rising
nutrient-index analysis which was con- biomass production, stimulate microbi- input costs and tighter environmen-
ducted (and is depicted below) further al humification pathways, and promote tal expectations: "Farmers are being
reinforces these findings. the formation of stable humic fractions. asked to do more with less—protect
The above chart presents soil sample Increases in HM% are widely recog- their soils, reduce nutrient loss, and
data known as nutrient index. The nu- nized as indicators of improved soil still deliver strong yields. Rhizol's re-
markable ability to provide a dual
benefit – stronger agronomics and
improved environmental stewardship
– is increasingly important as growers
balance productivity with compliance
and sustainability objectives. These ex-
citing, independent findings validate
what growers have demonstrated time
and again: when the soil performs bet-
ter, the entire system performs better."
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Vol. 42 No. 1 21