During the past several years, plant growth regulator products have been developed to help corn get off to a good start. Applied as a seed treatment or as a liquid formulation with starter fertilizer in the seed furrow, they aim to help establish a uniform stand whether conditions during germination and emergence turn too cold or too wet, or too hot or too dry.

“Farmers who want to boost their seed investment should consider a new plant growth regulator available from WinField United in 2019, our Ascend Pro product,” says Ray Pigati, Winfield marketing manager for plant growth regulator products. It is formulated with three proven EPA-registered plant hormones.

In addition, an enhanced one-of-a-kind formulation, which includes an amino acid derivative, optimizes PGR activity to improve early-season results, regardless of environmental conditions, he says.

“Ascend Pro helps get corn off to a great start, and the benefits of at-planting application are evident season-long,” Pigati says. “The new formulation delivers uniform germination and emergence, a stronger root system, and wider leaves and stems to harness more energy for growth and development. We saw a very consistent, positive yield response 76% of the time when Ascend Pro was compared to the untreated control applied at planting in 2018. Rigorous testing for four years at more than 150 locations proves this product works no matter what the geography or environment.”

Reliable yield protection
Early-season emergence and stand count sets the trajectory for yield. Maintaining crop health helps improve the yield potential of a seed’s genetics in the face of environmental challenges.

“One of a farmer’s biggest input costs is the seed purchase,” says Kyle Gustafson, a WinField agronomist. “Protecting that investment is critical. Ascend Pro delivers with its optimized formulation that boosts early-season plant health. We’ve seen the positive effect on plant growth and development in extensive on-farm field trials. Yield data backs up those visual observations, so we know this PGR product improves a plant’s physiological functions.”

Field tests provide insight
Conditions are always unpredictable at planting and vary across geographies. As part of the WinField United product development process, Ascend Pro has been tested in both controlled and in on-farm environments, says Marcus Jones, senior research manager for Winfield’s plant protection portfolio. The company says these vigorous testing protocols help target exactly where Ascend Pro offers the greatest potential return on investment for farmers.

“The farmer is top of mind when we’re developing a new product,” Jones says. “Rigorous testing and data collection capability gives us the confidence to position new products, so they deliver the reliable results farmers expect, even when we don’t know exactly what challenges the crops will face in a given season. Based on our tests, Ascend Pro is a versatile plant growth regulator that fits on nearly all acres to support early plant health for greater yield potential.”

To learn more about in-furrow application of Ascend Pro at planting, visit winfieldunited.com or consult a local agronomist.

Source: WinField United, which is responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and its subsidiaries aren’t responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.