Trials across Australian crops over several seasons have consistently proved the economic and environmental advantages of adding specific enzymes for more efficient use of fertiliser and soil nutrients.
A third year of field trials in wheat, barley and canola across Australian broadacre cropping regions in 2022 told a similar story, confirming that applying a small amount of enzymes can boost Australian winter-crop establishment and yield.
Elemental Enzymes Australia director Guy Perriman said the patented stabilised enzymes played an important role in converting unavailable nutrients (such as phosphate, plus nutrients in carbon residues and soil organic matter) into nutrients available to plants.
“Enzymes are produced naturally in the soil by microbes and plant roots. By applying additional enzymes, growers can accelerate and enhance these important processes.
“In moist conditions, enzyme reactions commence on application, continuing for days to weeks. Applying enzymes with fertiliser at planting allows seed to germinate into a nutrient-rich zone for better emergence and establishment. If farmers are dry sowing, the enzymes will remain idle until rain occurs.
“Elemental Enzymes’ products fit easily into existing farming practice during the fallow and at sowing, improving profit margins per ha each year plus longer-term soil health.”
Already commercially successful in the US, several enzyme products have been tested extensively in Australia, with the first releases, Lumen and Res+ now available to distributors and growers for the 2023 season.
Mr Perriman said Lumen is a stabilised liquid-concentrate blend of two important enzymes, lipase and mannanase, which trigger soil organic matter to release bio-available nutrients and water to the plant and stimulate native microbial activity.
“The lipase converts lipids in soil organic matter, allowing release of bio-available NPK nutrients to the plant and stimulating native soil microbial activity. Mannanase breaks down exudates around root tips, making it easier for them to absorb extra nutrient.
“Distributing these naturally-occurring enzymes in higher concentrations and more evenly along the plant row improves use of applied nutrients and those present in soil organic matter.”
Mr Perriman said replicated field trials on phosphate-responsive soils proved the ability of Lumen to improve fertiliser-use efficiency, and to increase yield from existing crop nutrition practices.
“In many cases, applying only 80% of the standard rate of MAP plus Lumen has produced wheat yields, plant-counts, biomass and grain quality equivalent to the 100% MAP rate in soils where phosphorus fertilisers are recommended.”
Using Lumen has allowed growers to potentially stretch their expensive phosphorus fertiliser supplies across more hectares without sacrificing yield.
Mr Perriman said trials in 2020, 2021 and 2022 in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and NSW proved the ability of Lumen at 16 mL/ha to improve fertiliser-use efficiency and higher grain yields.
Trials were typically run with MAP or NPK fertiliser blends. As well as getting more out of the applied fertiliser before it was tied up, there was improved utilisation of N, P and K, with the enzymes making these nutrients more available to the plant.
“Growers can confidently optimise results from their fertiliser dollar this season by supplying the right amount of soil enzyme, right where and when it’s needed.
“Supplies of Lumen are available across Australia for the 2023 autumn-planting season, ordered through growers’ usual rural supply outlets via the Agreva Sustainable Agriculture website.
Elemental Enzymes developed Res+ to accelerate crop-residue degradation, for quick return of nutrients to the soil and enhanced microbial activity, soil health and planting conditions for the following crop. Res+ contains many key factors that speed up microbial attack of residues and release of nutrients.
Mr Perriman said applying Res+ provides a uniform, high concentration of stubble-degrading enzyme; a humectant that locks in soil moisture on and within the stubble; plus key supporting nutrients – right across the paddock, leading to faster, more consistent degradation of residues by microbes.
“The enzymes start working immediately, continuing for several weeks, providing a nutrient-rich and friable area for improved crop establishment and growth.”
He said Res+ may be sprayed onto stubble after harvest or through the fallow period up to sowing time. It can also be added to pre-planting knockdown and pre-emergent herbicides.”
Multiple trials across Australia have confirmed the unique ability of Res+ to speed up breakdown of crop stubble, quicker release of nutrients, plus improved workability and soil structure for the following planting. Applied post-harvest or ahead of planting at 1.2 L/ha, Res+ has led to higher yields and higher income from subsequent crops.
Res+ has been tested across many crop residues including cereals, pulse crops and sorghum, with excellent results in subsequent cereal and canola crops.
A long-term study in wheat crops at Katanning resulted in year-on-year improved yields, with Res+ adding an extra 1 t/ha of wheat over a 3-year period, compared with existing standard nitrogen and phosphorus programs.
Mr Perriman said this exciting new field of biological products could revolutionise agriculture, by supporting plants’ ability to survive and thrive from the best to the harshest of conditions, and by boosting yield from existing farm practices, resources and inputs.
