THE NOVEL APPROACH OF FARMING.

THE NOVEL APPROACH OF FARMING.

Evaluation of performance of ferti-activator Sanbio PLANTA on the productivity, quality and economic aspects of silage maize variety ´Figaro´ in Germany

Drossdorf, Germany (September 01, 2014) – The cultivation of Maize in Germany is undertaken primarily to produce feed for cows, pigs and poultry (maize for silage including green-maize, grain maize, corn cob mix, maize coarse meal with husks). As well as being used for producing sugar, grain is also used by the food industry to produce maize-meal-products, snacks, cornflakes etc., and in pharmaceutical processes. As a renewable raw material, maize starch is used in the manufacture of paper and cardboard. In Germany the area cultivated with maize amounted to 2.52 million ha in 2017.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of ferti-activator Sanbio PLANTA on productivity, quality and economic aspects of silage maize variety ´Figaro´.

1.  Materials and methods

Table 1. Basic data

Season 2014
Location Drosddorf
 
   
Organization Agrargenossenschaft Drossdorf, est. 1990, total area 1200 ha
Crop Solage maize
Variety Figaro, seed maker KWS
Trial field 1 block system
Plot size 5 ha each
Land score Control: 34-60 Experiment: 28-51
Soil quality Control: sL6D to L5Lö Experiment: partly / mixed: lS6D, sL6D, L5V, L6Lö
Fertilizer Control: 120kg/ha Diamon P, 40 kg NPK, 30 m²/ha digestate from anaerobic digester, intertillage mustard Experiment: 120kg/ha Diamon P, 0.4t dung, 40 kg NPK
Crop rotation Control: 2013 Winter wheat Experiment: 2013 Corn
Rainfall Spring 91mm (64% of long-term average) Summer 269mm ((128% of long-term average)
Test product Sanbio PLANTA, manufactured by SANBOS GmbH, Germany
Dosage 1.5 kg/ha, 300 l water/ha
No. of applications 1
Date of planting 20/04/2014
Date of application 15/05/2014, BBCH13
Date of harvest 24/10/2014
Scoring Growth of plant, roots, biomass, cobs, weight, moisture, yield

Table 2. Product presentation of Sanbio PLANTA

Product name Composition Description Application
Sanbio PLANTA Activated blend of natural seaweed, nutrients, trace elements, selectively and adapted highly effective natural bacterial cultures and mycorrhiza fungi, activated by SANBIO  Biocatalytical Stimulation Technology Fertilizer and biological activator (certified in France, Germany, EC, USA)Stimulation of plant growth and immunityBetter protection against fungal diseases and biotic and abiotic stressBetter control of factors favorable to plant growthBetter germination and growth of vegetation and development of roots and shootsColonization of roots by beneficial microorganismsBetter mobilization and assimilation of nutrientsEarly flowering and maturationIncreased production and improved quality Dosage: 1.5 kg / ha in 200-500 l of water   No. of application: 1-2   Mode of application: Soil application   Stage of application: 3-5 leaf stage  

2.   Results

2.1  Growth of plants, roots and cobs

Table 3. Productive performance on growth of plants, roots and cobs

Treatment   Control SANBIO PLANTA Sanbio PLANTA vs. CONTROL
Average height of plant mm 3200 2540 -26%
Diameter of stalk at point of grafting mm 20 24 +20%
Diameter of 3rd stalk mm 24 31 +29%
Diameter of root ball mm 350 300 -14%
Depth of root ball mm 80 120 +50%
Maximal length of roots mm 90 240 +67%
Volume of root ball cm³ 7693 8478 +10%
Weight of biomass (all plant material) gr 2120 2130 +0.5%
Total weight of 6 cobs gr 1040 1320 +26%
Weight of cobs gr 220, 80, 260, 190, 180, 110 250, 260, 230, 260, 190, 120  
Deviation   110 140  
Average weight of 6 cobs gr 173,33 218,33 +26%
Length of cobs mm 27, 27, 29, 22, 21, 19 34, 33, 35, 32, 27, 27  
Deviation mm 10 8  
Average length of 6 cobs mm 24,17 31,33 +27%
Diameter of cobs mm 48, 37, 50, 46, 45, 39 55, 57, 46, 50, 55, 46  
Deviation   13 11  
Average diameter of 6 cobs mm 44,17 51,50 +17%

Figure 1. Effects of Sanbio PLANTA on the development of plant, stalk and roots

The plants on the plot treated with Sanbio PLANTA have a more compact growth. The plants, which are 21.8% shorter, have a higher stability and are less sensitive to wind.

The roots of the treated plants show significantly higher growth, in particular root volume and root depth. The 50% longer roots allow the plant better access to water and nutrients and also anchor the plant better in the soil.

Figure 2. Effects of Sanbio PLANTA on weight and measure of cobs

The cobs harvested on the plot treated with Sanbio PLANTA have a higher weight (+25.9%), length (+29.6%) and diameter (16.6%).

2.2 Yield

Table 4. Productive performance on weight, moisture and yield

Parameter   Control Sanbio PLANTA Sanbio PLANTA vs. CONTROL
Weight wet t/ha 48.515 49.354  
Moisture % 39.7 35.4  
Weight dry at 14% moisture **) t/ha 31.994 35.360 +3.365 t/ha
Yield       +10.5%

**) Calculation: Weight dry = Weight wet x [100 – (Moisture% – 14%) x 1.325 ] / 100

Figure 3. Yield calculated as dry weight at 14% moisture (t/ha) compared to untreated lot

The yield calculated to dry weight at 14% moisture was increased by 3.366 t/ha, resp. +10.5%, compared to untreated control lot.

2.3  Pictures

Picture 1. Control field (untreated)

Picture 2. Experimental field (treated with Sanbio PLANTA)

Picture 3. Plant height, Control (left) and PLANTA treated (right)

Picture 4. Root size and cobs, Control (left) and PLANTA treated (right)

3.  Conclusion

To summarize, the present study shows significantly positive effects of ferti-activator Sanbio PLANTA on productive performance of silage maize.

The positive effects at glance:

  • Higher harvest of +10.5%
  • Larger cobs (weight, diameter and length)
  • Stronger plants
  • Larger roots
  • Sustainable improvement of soil fertility.