Improve Soil Health & Crop Yields with Stabilized Protected Enzymes
In order for any plant to optimally grow during its production cycle, it takes the right combination and timing of moisture, weather, pest control, and nutrients. The table below shows most of the essential nutrients needed for any plant (corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat, etc.) to grow from the time the seed is placed in the ground until the combine is ready to harvest. Some of these nutrients (NPK) are needed in large quantities, while others may only need a few parts per million or parts per billion to accomplish an essential function or reaction in making proteins, amino acids or similar building block components. These necessary nutrients are in the soil, with some of them routinely added to ensure adequate quantities are there awaiting the signal from the plant to remove them and take into the plant.
No matter the crop, it depends on getting a majority of its nutrients from the soil. Soil is complex, with a number of chemical, physical and environmental interactions that may hinder the efficiency of nutrients becoming available for plant uptake (refer to The Soil System). A major part of nutrient availability involves the soil microorganism complexes that provide enzymes to assist with nutrient solubility and the opportunity to enter into the root hair. Depending on factors such as soil pH or environmental event(s), nutrient release is difficult and may need some assistance.
Helena offers a very unique soil-applied product, Zypro, to assist in this effort to make nutrients more available for plant uptake. Zypro is very compatible when mixed with fertilizer and typical soil applied pesticides; and it is designed to work in the soil near the root system. Zypro protects stabilized enzymes for 60 days from the harsh soil environment. These protected enzymes work to (1) promote strong root growth, (2) optimize the soil microbial community to improve nutrient update, and (3) improve plant health, growth and yield. Zypro is labelled for use in all crops including vegetable crops, row crops, field crops, tree and vine crops.
Representative yield data show (A) a 7.2 bu/A advantage in corn during a four-year study in 7 Corn Belt states, (B) a 2.0 bu/A soybean yield advantage in a six-site study, and (C) a 63.5 lb/A cotton lint yield advantage in 4 state, 5 site, 2 variety study. Other studies have been conducted in various row crop, vegetable, tree and vine crops showing comparable yield advantages.