Trials suggest applying a new post-emergence biostimulant in maize can help to improve root, shoot and leaf development.

Pro+ Fulvivex comprises concentrated humic and fulvic acids, as well micro- and macro-nutrients, with benefits including stimulating cell division as well as improving nutrient uptake and chlorophyll production.

Trials undertaken last year by ProCam demonstrated the product’s ability to push crops ahead of weeds, as well as helping the plants to overcome stress, says agronomist, Guy Peters.

Guy, who is based in the South West, adds that despite advances in maize genetics, growing a tropical crop in the UK’s temperate climate incurs continued challenges. “Last year’s drought highlighted just how easy it is for Mother Nature to put forage stocks in short supply.

“Therefore it makes sense to take every step to ensure maize crops establish quickly and can grow way from weed or environmental pressures with as few hindrances as possible.”

Maximising sunshine

For maize, this means getting to the tasselling stage quickly to maximise the number of sunny days left in the season for the crop to set and fill cobs, highlights Guy.

“Equally, Pro+ Fulvivex mixes well with a wide range of post-emergence herbicides without causing any undue crop effect. This means it can be applied while the maize crop is still quite small but before weeds have grown large enough for them to be difficult to control, without a separate sprayer pass,” he says.

According to Guy, while the biostimulant is an additional product to put through the sprayer, it’s a cost-effective way to ensure crops get ahead. “If we have another dry summer this year, it’ll once again prove invaluable in helping crops to produce larger roots so that they can cope with drought conditions, and make the most of sunny weather to produce energy dense, starch-filled cobs.”

Mode of action

Looking at how it works in more detail, Corteva’s Ryan Came-Johnson says it stimulates specific hormonal pathways to enhance biological activity within crops including cereals, oilseed rape, sugar beet and maize.

“It also improves photosynthesis efficiency by activating enzymatic processes and increasing chlorophyll production, thereby enabling plants to utilise nutrients more effectively and making them more tolerant of stress.

“The end result in maize is a healthier, more vigorous crop which goes on to produce a greater fresh weight and higher dry matter yield. In fact, other trials have shown that the inclusion of Pro+ Fulvivex can increase dry matter yield by 0.8-1.6t/ha, with larger cobs resulting in an increase in overall starch production,” he concludes.

Pro+ Fulvivex is approved for application on maize at BBCH GS12-16 (2-6 leaves) and at a rate of 150g/ha in 150-300 l/ha of water.