AminoA+ Update and Autumn Recommendations 2016
With harvest 2016 coming to a close and also the first year of our commercial sales of AminoA+ we thought we should review the results and also make some recommendations based on this years’ experience.
Yields
OSR and Winter Barley yields were reportedly generally 30% down on 2015 levels this is undoubtedly a results of lack of sunlight in the early summer. (Two customers who also have commercial solar installations reported 27-30% less energy production in the May/June period which exactly seems to mirror this).
Customers who used AminoA+ consistently through the season reported good results and quality with Malting Barley making the standard and bushel weight,even grown on sharp sand.
Winter Wheat results were very good with yields generally in the 10-11.5 t/ha area and growers who used the product purely to increase proteins in Milling Wheat were satisfied with proteins in the 14% region. Growers now intend to use the product in their growing programme for the next season.
Other Crops We also have had very good results in many different crops from Vines to Quinoa and there will be a lot more product out on farms next season.
A leading Strawberry grower reported an increase in Brix of 8% which is consistent with work we have done in other crops and we are awaiting the results of a trial on Gala Apples with FAST at the moment.
Seed Treatment
Our seed treatment work is continuing and our WOSR trial plots finished flowering 10 days before the untreated. We have now started a trial with Elsoms, and have replicated plots sown there, as well as trials in England, Scotland and Wales.
Sugar Beet trial work is continuing in Germany.
WW seed treatment is also looking promising with treated seedlings tillering significantly earlier than untreated and we are planning more trials this Autumn.
Organics
We have developed an organic formula of the seed treatment and are seeking approval from Soil Association and OF & G.
Whilst AminoA+ has always had approval for use by O F & G, Soil Association had not approved any hydrolysed proteins in the past. However, we have had approval from Soil Association to use AminoA+ on a trial basis this year so please ask!
Liquid Formulation
We are also working on a liquid formulation and hope to have this commercially available for the Spring.
In the East Anglia area, we are able to offer the liquid formulation as an ‘on farm’ service this Autumn. Please ask for details.
Autumn Recommendations
Top and Stone Fruit
Apply 1.5 – 2.5 kg/ha AminoA+ post-harvest every 7-14 days through fertigation, or as a foliar, whilst the leaf canopy is intact, to build up the tree for the following season.
Cereals
Autumn Applications should be made at a rate of 1.5 kg/ha from GS 19 onwards. (Important to stimulate embryonic ear development and set up yield potential.)
Timings coincide with BYDV insecticide applications.
Target: Winter Barley, Second Wheats and fields with variable soil types that are likely to suffer from stress in the growing season. Do not treat fields that have recently been treated with large quantities of animal manures unless the crop is suffering from other stresses such as frost damage, chemical damage or waterlogging.
Spring Applications as soon as growth starts. T-1 timing with a further application of 1.5 kg/ha. Make further applications in response to crop stress.
Final Applications: Winter Wheat (Feed) apply 1.5 kg/ha between boots swollen- mid flowering and in Milling Varieties at least 2.5 kg/ha to also increase protein.
Alternative strategy is to put 0.5 kg ha AminoA+ in every tank mix (assuming water application rate of 100 litres/ha to give a 0.5% solution. In the case of stress events (waterlogging, frost etc) apply 2.5 kg/ha.
As a general principle AminoA+ is compatible with fungicides and insecticides but always perform a bucket test first. Whilst generally compatible with PGR’s use minimum dose rates as excessive straw shortening can occur in dwarf varieties.
Winter Oilseed Rape
Autumn Applications: Crops are now generally well established but we would recommend a small dose of 0.5 kg/ha if there are crops still being treated for CSFB attack.
1.5 kg/ha should be applied before flower initiation which generally occurs from end November until February (late sown crops).
Timings will typically coincide with Light Leaf Spot applications in November.
Spring Applications: 1.5 kg/ha should be applied as soon as growth starts and then further applications made in response to crop stress.
In the absence of stress apply 1.5 kg/ha at petal fall to extend greening and pod fill.
In the case of stress events (waterlogging, frost, etc) apply 2.5 kg/ha.
Tank mixes:
AminoA+ physically compatible with:
Kerb / Astrokerb 1.7 lit./ha, Proline 0.63 lit./ha, Refinzar 1.0 lit./ha, Prosaro 1.0 lit./ha, Folicur 1.0 lit/ha,
Hallmark Zeon 75 ml./ha
Mixtures with Crawler can cause extreme foaming!!
Ideally applications of AminoA+ should be made to a dry leaf but if applied to a wet crop or if there is rainfall shortly after application it will be taken up through the root.
AminoA+ is totally water soluble but should always be applied through an induction hopper, premixed or washed through a screen never add directly into the spray tank.
Always add to the tank mix last ideally when the tank is about 80% full to limit foaming. If excessive foaming occurs it may be necessary to use an anti-foaming agent.
Please note that physical compatibilities may not be approved tank-mixes. The tests do not check for any adverse crop phytotoxicity or for the biological efficacy of the individual components when applied in a tank-mix.
AminoA Ltd. gives no warranty and accepts no liability in respect of physical compatibilities; therefore, use is at grower’s own risk.
General Precautions
For any tank-mix it is important that the appropriate manufacturer’s recommendations should be consulted and followed, and care taken to ensure that applications are made within the recommendations for each product.
All mixes should be sprayed immediately and agitated throughout until the spray tank is empty.
The user should ensure that all products to be tank-mixed with AminoA are approved for use on the crops which are to be sprayed. Always check individual product labels for any possible restrictions before making a tank-mix recommendation.
Delivery
AminoA+ is packed in 15kg. bags and orders will be couriered out onto farm on the next working day provided orders are received before 1 pm.
We are now also able to offer a courier service throughout the EU (48 hour).
Technical advice in the UK and Ireland call
Richard Phillips : + 44 (0) 7837724860
Orders and accounts
Email : judithnyo@aol.com