Evaluating Organic Acids in Canola-Soybean crop rotation
Kevin Shale, Montra Crop Science
To determine if organic acid products (MX-3, VX-8) have any effect on crop productivity in Canola-Soybeans crop rotation. This was the second year of evaluation and these products were applied to soybean crop.
This was the second year of testing and Organic acids (MX-3 & VX-8) did not have any effect on Canola yield during 2019. Results are similar this year again and soybean yield did not see any increase from the use of organic acids. Both organic acids were applied along with 75 & 100% rates of herbicides (glyphosate in this case) and were compared with control plots. Control soybeans plots got 100% rate of the herbicide. Soybean yield was similar irrespective of whether 75% or 100% of glyphosate rate were applied on the plots.
Humic products improves the field efficacy across ranges of field conditions for improving crop yield and soil health (Olk et al.2018). Humic compounds such as fulvic acid and humic acid are formed by chemical and microbial degradation of plant and animal material and are a principal component of soil organic matter (Canellas et al. 2015). In general, the application of fulvic and humic acid fertilizer amendments have been shown to enhance root growth, increase nutrient uptake, alleviate stress, and increase yield in various crops (Canellas et al. 2015). However, studies conducted in Ontario on dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in 2010 and 2011 using fulvic acid (LX7®, MTS Environmental Inc.) or humic acid (Plant XL®, Alpha-Agri) fertilizers showed no response. Twenty fulvic acid field trials and 15 humic acid field trials indicated that these fertilizers were ineffective, as plant vigour, height, 100-seed weight, and yield were similar to a control treatment (Mahoney et al 2017).
Broadcast pre-plant or post-plant application of leonardite did not affect the emergence, chemical composition, or yield of wheat or canola in Manitoba (Dilk 2002). The efficiency of phosphorus (P) fertilizer was studied with and without humic acid, derived from leonardite. Application of leonardite in a P fertilizer band significantly increased the P concentration of canola tissue in the early stages of development. However, the increase in P concentration did not result in an increase in yield.
In the current study, product MX-3 did have 5% fulvic acid and it was sprayed in furrows after seeding. Additional sprays of this product were applied during early phase of the crop growth. Another granular product, VX-8 was applied with the seed.