Background

In an earlier in-house research project, it was observed that OM Soil Activator (formerly known as Fertilgold® Soil) caused plants to grow better and improve soil characteristics. The product was then released for field trial status.

Objective

The focus of this study was to observe if Huma® OM Soil Activator, an OMRI-Listed product for organic farming, can improve corn yield under field condition.

Materials & Methods

Experimental corn plots were established at the Agricenter International research facility in Memphis, Tenn. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with six replications. The corn was planted on June 29 in a field that did not have any humic products before this study. The crop was harvested on October 19.

The grower standard (GS) fertilizer program, including the source and application timings, are outlined in Table 1. Huma® OM Soil Activator was applied at planting and again four weeks later during the growing season (Table 1). At planting, OM Soil Activator was tank-mixed with 10-34-0 fertilizer and then applied in-furrow. OM Soil Activator was then broadcast sprayed on the plants and the soil surface during a second round of application.

Table 1. Grower Standard and Huma® Treatment Fertilizer Programs

Table 1. Grower Standard and Huma® Treatment Fertilizer
Programs

Results

The difference between the two treatments was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05), indicating the addition of OM Soil Activator increased corn yield over the GS (Figure 1). Adding OM Soil Activator to GS caused the corn yield to increase by 25.8 bu/acre over the GS program alone.

Figure 1. Corn Yield Response to Soil Treatment

Figure 1. Corn Yield Response to Soil Treatment

Conclusions

This field study confirmed results that including Huma® OM Soil Activator in crop production can increase yield. The 19% yield bump and the ROI of 240% resulted in over $88 per acre net income gain.

Product

Huma® OM Soil Activator, OMRI-Listed for organic crops, improves soil structure and enhances the beneficial soil microbial community. This product balances the carbon-oxygen ratio, creating carbon rich soil with an active rhizosphere. Huma® OM Soil Activator increases availability of nutrients blocked by mineralization in soils and indirectly helps to diminish the stress of saline soils and pH extremes.