Inoculant Recommendation Yields Results

"In order to maximize yields, you need to maximize nodulation," says Kent Ulwelling with A&K Feed and Grain in Lime Springs, Iowa. That's why he's a strong proponent of inoculation in general and VAULT® HP in particular. Ulwelling has been checking customers' fields this summer and notes, "There appears to be increased nodulation on the plants where the seed was inoculated this spring. There are more nodules and they're larger and more active."

Unlike many parts of the country, planting conditions in northeast Iowa were fairly normal, yet Ulwelling feels the use of an inoculant is a best-management practice that should be encouraged every year. "The proof is always in the yield," he says. "Even if our customers only improve yield by one bushel per acre, they have almost a 200 percent return on their seed-treatment investment.

"The rhizobia in VAULT HP seem to have more vigor and are more efficient than those in the soil. If we want to increase yields, we have to produce as much nitrogen as efficiently as possible, especially during the critical seed-fill time," he continues.

Ulwelling also feels it's important to recommend an inoculant that has a high days-on-seed rating, and that's one of the benefits of VAULT HP. "I appreciate the higher rhizobia count in VAULT HP, and the viability of the product on the seed is of great value," he says.

The triple BioStacked® VAULT HP system pairs a patented biological performance enhancer and a high-count rhizobia inoculant with INTEGRAL® biological fungicide. Collectively, these components stimulate rhizobial activity; help extend protection from key soil-borne diseases; and enhance root vigor, nodulation and nutrient uptake. That means potential for more root nodules, nodes, blooms and pod-making capability as the plant develops.

Stacking biologicals with multiple modes of action helps provide more consistent and dependable performance improvements across a broad range of environmental and soil conditions.

Ulwelling appreciates the research behind the product. "With today's genetics, you really want to stack every card in your favor and protect your customers' seed investment," he asserts. "VAULT HP is an important component in our seed-treatment offering and it's something that we recommend everyone who plants soybeans should use."