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 as then released for field trial status.
Objective
The focus of this study was to observe if OM Soil Activator could improve cotton yield under field condition.
Materials & Methods
Experimental plots for cotton were established at the Agricenter International research facility in Memphis, Tenn. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with six replications. The cotton was planted on May 26 in a field that did not have any humic products prior to this study. The crop was harvested on November 14.
The grower standard (GS) fertilizer program, including the source and application timings, are outlined in Table. 1. OM Soil Activator was applied at planting and again 41 days later during the growing season (Table 1). At planting, OM Soil Activator tank-mixed with 10-34-0 fertilizer was
applied in-furrow. OM Soil Activator was then broadcast sprayed on the plants and the soil surface.
Table 1. Grower Standard and Huma® Treatment Fertilizer
Programs
Results
The difference between the two treatments was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). The addition of OM Soil Activator to GS increased lint yield over the GS alone (Figure 1). Adding OM Soil Activator to GS caused the lint yield to increase by 179.7 lb/acre over the GS program alone.
Figure 1. Cotton Yield Response to Soil Treatment
Conclusions
This field study confirmed results from previous trials that including OM Soil Activator in crop production can increase yield. The yield bump of 20% and the ROI of 141% resulted in over $50 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.
