b'PARTNER CONTENTOne-Step Solution to Early SeasonYield EstablishmentA Strong Soybean Starts at Germination.C rops are most vulnerable right after germination. Whether its a below-ground insect looking for a tasty snack, or nu-trients sneaking away deep in the soil, crops have much to lose in the early season.While soybeans often take second chair to corn when it comes to fertilizer, its important growers dont sleep on this crop. It can take up to six weeks for nodules to be fully formed and functional to fixate nitrogen, according to Penn State Extension.This means the first six weeks of growth rely solely on what nitrogen is available in the soil. Over the course of the season, soybeans will use about 3.5 lbs of nitrogen per busheltheyre a high protein crop, which is what makes them so nitrogen hungry.When nitrogen is in an organic form, such as an amino acid, its easier for the plant to absorb and use the nutrient, according to a study from the University of Sao Paulo Department of Crop Sci-ence and the Centro Universitario de Patos de Minas Department of Agronomy. This is because the plant doesnt need to assimilate the absorbed nitrogen and later incorporate it into amino acids.Because early season growth is so critical to yield potential, getting nutrients to the plant in their optimal form can pay divi-dends. So, how can you help growers offset risk? Give the plant what it needs from the get-go.The Right Start for Soybean The Value of A Strong FoundationIt starts at the seed, and while 2X2 banding can be beneficial,If you build a house on a foundation made of sand, you cant ex-there might be another way to get soybeans off to a good start. pect the home to stand the test of time. If you think about crops, Seed uses proteins, nutrients and amino acids to completeits very much the same as the seed and germination is the foun-germination, says Danny Groves, Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness seeddation from which the crop is built.treatment specialist. While the seed is using those, they need toThe foundation is that early season growth, Groves says. be replenished quickly, which results in faster germination, moreThe healthier and stronger vigor it has in the early season, the uniform emergence and more robust root mass. more likely it is to have a higher yield at the end of the season.Their solution? Growers are already using seed treatments toThe team at Wilbur-Ellis documents an average of 1.5 bu. per fight off other early-season disease and insect threats, why notacre advantage when farmers use STEPUP 2.0. At current com-add nutrition to the mix? STEPUP 2.0 is a nutritional seed treat- modity prices, thats a more-than $20 per acre boost with no steps ment that uses amino acids and can be added to any commercialat the farmgate.soybean treatment pre-mix. For retailers, its a simple process to add STEPUP 2.0 in the Compared to the original, STEPUP 2.0 is a higher concentra- downstream treater. It gives them a yield advantage to sell to tion, lower use-rate product to assist with better flow through thefarmers and an additional revenue opportunity.treater and planter. At one-half ounce per 100 weight, its easy toAt the end of the day, producers need to make money, Groves use and provides strong return on investment for retailers andsays. This is just one more tool they can use to achieve profitabil-growers. ity goals.DECEMBER 2021SEEDWORLD.COM /83'