What is the target rate for ACCOMPLISH MAX in-furrow? Is the rate higher on root crops like potatoes than on row crops like corn and soybeans?
ACCOMPLISH MAX is applied at 1 quart per acre in-furrow or 2x2 on row crops, and 2 quarts in-furrow at planting. The higher rate (2 quarts/acre) is recommended for root crops like potatoes.
Is there a benefit to spraying ACCOMPLISH MAX over the top of the plant?
ACCOMPLISH MAX is formulated to work in the soil to improve nutrient availability and uptake. It should be soil-applied (in-furrow or 2x2). ACCOMPLISH MAX is not recommended for foliar application as we have not observed growth or plant health responses from this type of application. TERRAMAR is designed for foliar applications to minimize weather-related stresses and stimulate the plant to increase nutrient uptake.
Does ACCOMPLISH MAX work in both low and high pH soils?
Yes. Soils at different pH values will have different nutrient bonds in the soil, but ACCOMPLISH MAX works the same way, regardless of pH, to release the bound nutrients. For example, in high pH soils, phosphate is bound mainly by calcium, while in low pH soils, you might be dealing with iron bound to, or tied up with, aluminum. The ACCOMPLISH MAX nutrient release technology targets that tie-up mechanism to break the bonds and make the nutrients available to the crop.
Is there a benefit to applying ACCOMPLISH MAX in crop center pivot/drip irrigation?
ACCOMPLISH MAX is a biochemical fertilizer catalyst that will increase nutrient availability and plant uptake of nutrients when applied with liquid starter fertilizers, including when applied through drip systems or center pivot irrigation. However, the recommended application is in furrow or 2x2 with liquid starter fertilizers. TERRAMAR is a better option in drip or pivot irrigation applications.
If I’m planning to use 3-10-10 liquid in spring strip-till plus 6-24-6 in-furrow at planting on corn, where should the ACCOMPLISH MAX be used?
ACCOMPLISH MAX is flexible and can out go with either application. We have seen positive data with the Accomplish technology in both strip-till applications and starter applications. We always recommend doing testing—in this case, making both applications separately and also testing them together—within your system to see what gives you the most benefit on your farm.
How much ACCOMPLISH MAX equivalent is in TITAN XC?
ACCOMPLISH MAX and TITAN XC employ the same core nutrient release biochemistry, but they are designed to be used in different applications. ACCOMPLISH MAX is applied to the soil. It is meant to treat the acre. TITAN XC is highly concentrated and applied to the fertilizer prill. It is meant to treat the fertilizer ton. ACCOMPLISH MAX is also different than TITAN XC in that it contains a kelp technology to increase crop tolerance to abiotic stress.
What is the difference between ACCOMPLISH MAX and PROLOGUE? When mixing PROLOGUE and ACCOMPLISH MAX in 2x2, what rates would be adequate to get the benefits of both?
ACCOMPLISH MAX contains concentrated nutrient release biochemistry combined with stress mitigating kelp technology and can be used in many different starter and pop-up applications. PROLOGUE is 6.3% zinc plus nutrient solubilizing technology focused on phosphorus, which makes PROLOGUE a great fit for polyphosphates (e.g., 10-34-0, 11-37-0, 6-24-6).
PROLOGUE is recommended for use with polyphosphate starters to provide zinc and improve the efficiency of applied (and locked up) soil phosphorus. It is applied at 1-2 quarts per acre.
ACCOMPLISH MAX can be added to starters that contain a zinc source (e.g., Riser, Black Label Zn) at 1 quart per acre. ACCOMPLISH MAX in this type of program can be used to increase root development (i.e., root hairs/feeder roots) and convert phosphorus into an inorganic, plant available form, while also providing benefits related to abiotic stress tolerance.
What is EXTRACT PBA? And could you explain what ATS is?
EXTRACT (6-0-0-13S) combines the biochemistry in ACCOMPLISH with ammonium thiosulfate, or ATS. These products work together to speed nutrient cycling and optimize nutrient release—returning nutrients to the soil profile for uptake by the next crop. The ACCOMPLISH biochemistry jump starts the process of nutrient release and residue breakdown to optimize nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium availability for the next crop. This biochemistry works independently of microorganisms in the soil system, meaning that nutrient release and residue decomposition can continue to occur during colder temperatures. The ATS provides nitrogen (which helps balance high C:N ratios) and sulfur, while also lowering pH on the residue’s surface. This increases soil microbial activity and further expedites nutrient return to the soil profile.
What is the benefit of using EXTRACT on prevent plant acres going to corn in terms of the effect on fallow ground syndrome? What would be a good elevator speech on prevent plant acres?
In fallow soils, sometimes the system will need to be “restarted,” meaning you need to help the microbial population get off to a healthy start and also make sure you can release nutrients in that system for the crop you are planting. One reason fallow soils are not as healthy is due to a decrease in beneficial microbial populations that help with phosphorus and other nutrient availability. Thus, there is a reduced amount of phosphorus available in fallow soils. In fallow systems, EXTRACT technology can be used to try to boost phosphorus availability to get the system going again, which can help get the crop off to a good start.
On prevent plant acres from the prior year, should we be adding 2 gallons of UAN 28% with EXTRACT to help with waking up bacteria in soil?
In the case of prevent plant acres, it will not hurt to add extra nitrogen with EXTRACT. Adding extra nitrogen can be very helpful when EXTRACT is applied to manured fields or fields with a lot of crop residue.
Can EXTRACT be mixed in with a post herbicide spray application over the top? Can you apply EXTRACT with PRE emerge herbicide up to V11 in corn?
EXTRACT should not be applied post emergence to corn. Post emergent sprays with EXTRACT have the potential to burn a grass crop like corn due to the ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) in the product. However, EXTRACT can be included with post plant pre-emerge herbicide sprays on corn.
What would be the benefit of applying EXTRACT in crop center pivot/drip irrigation?
EXTRACT can be blended with UAN 28% or 32% and injected through center pivot systems or drip irrigation systems to increase the efficiency of the applied nitrogen.
Is it critical to have EXTRACT incorporated into the soil? If so, how soon after application?
Incorporation is not a must. A lot of no-till growers use EXTRACT without incorporation. However, incorporation does work well for growers going out with heavy loads of litter and similar applications. For those who do not incorporate EXTRACT into the soil some moisture (even heavy dews) will help with optimal product performance.
Will EXTRACT increase phosphorus availability to the point that it causes zinc deficiency?
Since EXTRACT is a broad spectrum nutrient catalyst, it increases both macro and micronutrient levels and availability in the soil, supporting an overall increase in soil nutrition. There is no data, to date, showing EXTRACT causing zinc deficiency when increasing phosphorus availability. On the contrary, data from a study in fallow soils shows that EXTRACT can simultaneously increase both phosphorus and zinc levels in the soil.
What’s the best rate of EXTRACT for maximum yield and economic return?
We have typically found that the 1 gallon/acre rate is the optimal rate for maximum yield and economic return.
What is the best application rate and timing for EXTRACT?
The recommended rate is 1 gal/acre broadcast and 2 qts/acre banded in strip till or RZB.
I have heard of organic matter mineralization, but what is nutrient mineralization by EXTRACT?
Nutrient mineralization with EXTRACT refers to mineralization of nutrients in crop residues, manures and poultry litters. Plants do not use organic sources of nitrogen or phosphorus. Rather, organic sources of nitrogen and phosphorus (i.e., residues, manures, litters) must be mineralized into plant-available, inorganic sources of nitrogen (ammonium [NH4+] and nitrate [NO3]) and phosphorus (HPO4 and H2PO4). The biochemistry in EXTRACT mineralizes organic nutrients, helping to transform them into these plant-available, inorganic forms.
Will EXTRACT work on the nutrients tied up in the soil and any applied fertilizers?
Yes, EXTRACT applied broadcast will influence the soil chemistry and increase mineralization of tied up nutrients as well as nutrients in applied fertilizers.
Do you have any data on EXTRACT and cover crops?
Can I use EXTRACT at V10 during Y-drop application with UAN 28% and ATS?
In our data on file, V7 is the latest stage the ACCOMPLISH technology found in EXTRACT was applied in a corn program. In this trial, it was applied with UAN 32% and resulted in a yield increase of 1.5 tons/acre of corn silage compared to no ACCOMPLISH treatment. Based on the large body of data we have collected from more than a decade of field trials, we recommend that EXTRACT be applied no later than V6 to have the most impact in corn.
How does TITAN XC work with potassium?
TITAN XC works with applied potassium the same way it works with any of the dry nutrients we are applying. TITAN XC helps to increase the availability and uptake of potash, whether applied to straight potash or to blends. It works by enhancing the breakdown, uptake and availability of treated potash, just as with any TITAN XC-treated dry fertilizer.
Are there any scenarios where TITAN XC works better than others? In the piano graph of TITAN XC trials, most trials are positive but there are a few negative ones.
We like to share the piano graph because no product can claim to work 100% of the time. This can be due to different factors, such as weather, pests or other factors that might mask the potential effects of the product. However, we typically see a positive product response across a variety of crops, soil types and geographies.
How does TITAN XC work with MES10 or MESZ?
TITAN XC can be applied to either of these homogenous prill fertilizers to enhance their performance. In particular, trials have shown an increased uptake of macro and micronutrients accompanied by increase in root hair/feeder tip roots, which are the port of entry of moisture and nutrients into the plant system.
MESZ was developed to increase the nutrient use efficiency of applied phosphorus. Would regular MAP or DAP have a better result with TITAN XC?
Data shows that TITAN XC can perform at a statistically significant level regardless of the source of phosphorus (DAP, MAP or MESZ).
How does TITAN XC break down dry fertilizers? Couldn’t they just be dissolved in the soil solution?
TITAN XC is a fertilizer catalyst that increase efficiency and uptake of dry phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. It is applied directly to the fertilizer prill and the biochemistry in the product accelerates prill breakdown and availability of nutrients from the prill. You can see how quickly it works in this short video: https://blog.agricen.com/blog/video-dry-fertilizer-breakdown-with-titan-xc.
How does TITAN XC help in high pH soils?
With TITAN XC, you are trying to enhance the breakdown, uptake and availability of the dry prills that have been applied. It doesn’t matter what the soil pH is, the TITAN XC is designed to influence the dry fertilizer. In high pH soils, TITAN XC will disassociate calcium and magnesium ions from phosphorus ions and increase the availability of phosphorus.
Should P levels decrease over time when using TITAN XC?
Data shows phosphorus levels in the soil increase when TITAN XC is applied to dry fertilizer.
Do you have data on TITAN XC on potash for soybeans?
In a soybean trial at Loveland research farm in Owensboro, KY, TITAN XC on potash added 2.6 bu/a over potash alone. TITAN XC is also very efficacious on potassium-based fertilizers in soybeans.
Will using TITAN XC at 1 pt/ton and Circa Zn at 1 gal/ton make fertilizer too wet for airflows or spinner trucks?
Circa Zn has a drying agent that is similar to latex paint, so it dries very quickly (and stays dry). Adding 1 pint of TITAN XC to this blend will not cause the fertilizer to be too wet if allowed to dry.
General Questions
Why are these technologies particularly well suited for early in the season?
Agricen suggests early season application to kick start the nutrient cycling process in the soil. Early season typically means colder soils and low microbial activity. That is why growers apply corn starters in early spring at planting; soils are cold, and microbes are not yet processing soil phosphorus and other nutrients into plant-available forms. The biochemistry in these products can help mitigate the limitations caused by cold soils and low microbial activity.
Have you measured the impact of these products on microbial populations and soil health?
We have observed an increase in carbon dioxide—which is a sign of increased microbial activity—emitted from the soil after application of these products. We have also observed improvements in soil tilth with use of this technology, in addition to the benefits related to nutrient availability and uptake.
What is the difference between the biochemistry in these products and products on the market that are live microbes in the jug?
The goal of applying living organisms to the soil is to produce biochemistry that can kick off nutrient cycling. Agricen’s approach is to instead produce and collect the biochemistry produced by microorganisms at our manufacturing facility. This biochemistry can then be seamlessly added into conventional or organic production systems. The benefits of a biochemical (versus live biological) product include better product stability on the shelf, easier product handling in the fertilizer shed, and better product functioning on fertilizer and in the soil. Our products have a two-year shelf life, need no refrigeration, and can be tank mixed with salt-based chemistries and fertilizers. In contrast, products that employ live microorganisms tend to have a shorter shelf life, cannot be mixed with salt-based fertilizers, cannot be mixed with herbicides, and may require refrigeration. Head to head trials comparing Agricen’s biochemistry to biostimulant/biological products employing living organisms show that the biochemistry performs more consistently.
What is the ROI of these technologies?
We often see an ROI of 2-3:1 or even as much as 5-6:1 in the case of TITAN XC.
Will you explain the bolt-on treater for fertilizer tenders?
Bolt on treaters are utilized when fertilizer is delivered from a port facility (by-passing a branch where TITAN XC is typically applied) directly to the farm. There are systems that are set up to go into fertilizer sheds to connect with your blenders, but if you are interested in putting units on the fertilizer tenders, AgXcel has units designed for this. AgXcel has also helped branches design an applicator system for a spreader used to apply EXTRACT to turkey litter right as it hits the spinners.
Would the addition of sugar affect any of the products?
Most people using sugar are trying to get microbes in soil to be a little more active. If that’s something you are doing, it should not cause any issue with the biocatalyst technologies.
Since the microbes are grown together in a consortium, is there a variation in the composition of the end-product?
We have very rigorous quality assurance/quality control systems in place to give us the most consistent output possible, which is also seen in the in-house testing of the end-product as well as the results from on-farm use we see with these technologies year after year.
Are there differences or compatibility issues with microbial inoculants such as N-fixing bacteria or mycorrhizae?
If you are using those products, which are often living microorganisms, a lot of times there are restrictions on what those products can go out with, and it’s important to remember that a lot of the microbial products are sensitive to fertilizer salts and some of the hard chemistries. The biocatalyst technologies are microbial metabolites, and not driven by any live biology within the product. Therefore, they are robust and compatible with different applications. We have not seen any issues with different tank mixes.
Do you have any technical data for crops other than corn, soy, cotton? Do you have data from regions outside of the U.S.A.?
Yes, we have data on a variety of crops from diverse regions, including within the USA, as well as Canada, Australia, and South America (especially Argentina and Brazil). Data on horticulture/specialty crops includes fruit and vegetables (e.g., strawberries, cantaloupe, carrots, potatoes, celery, lettuce, brassica crops, vine crops), sugar cane, coffee, macadamias, almonds and more.
