HiStick^® Sterile Peat Inoculants

• What is an inoculant?
• How does an inoculant work?
• What Rhizobium counts do I need?
• When should I use an inoculant?
• Do I need an inoculant on old soybean ground?
• What are the differences between sterile & nonsterile?
• What does a sticker do?
• What does a safener do?
• Why is HiStick the best choice?
• What if I already have Rhizobium in the soil?
• How does HiStick work?
• Do I need special equipment to apply it?
• How much mixing is needed?
• Can I use it in an air planter?
• Can I use HiStick with bulk seed?
• Will it slow down planting?
• Will it interfere with my planter monitor?
• Will HiStick build up in the planter box?
• What’s the economic return?
• What rate should I use?
• Is HiStick safe to use?
• Can I stop using nitrogen fertilizer?
• Will extreme temperatures affect HiStick?
• How should I store HiStick?
• Will freezing damage it?
• Does soil pH affect HiStick performance?
• Does soil type affect HiStick performance?
• In a nutshell, why should I use HiStick?
• How do I get more information about HiStick?

HiStick^® N/T Products

 

What is an inoculant?
An inoculant is a product that effectively introduces Rhizobium bacteria on a seed at planting. Effective inoculation with rhizobia results in the formation of root nodules that fix nitrogen for the plant. There are two common inoculant application methods-- seed applied (peat based and liquids), and soil applied (granules and in-furrow liquid)

How does an inoculant work?
Rhizobium inoculants act as symbiotic biofertilizers. The introduced rhizobia form nodules on the roots of a specific legume host. These nodules convert (or "fix") atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into essential plant building blocks (e.g. amino acids, proteins etc).

What Rhizobium counts do I need for an economic return?
Authorities now widely recommend that in order to achieve a maximum yield benefit in large seeded legumes such as soybeans, from 100,000 to 1 million viable /effective Rhizobium cells must be applied per seed at the time of planting. This quality standard is enforced in countries requiring registration. This requirement can only be achieved through the use of sterile inoculants.

When should I use an inoculant?
Rhizobium inoculants can provide an economic return to the farmer in all planting situations. Benefits from using Rhizobium inoculants are particularly effective marked on virgin / acidic / light and heavy soils. Land that has been flooded prior to planting will also greatly benefit from inoculation.

Do I still need an inoculant on my old rotated soybean land?
Yes. Since 1992, Becker Underwood has commissioned many trials with Soybean Extension specialists in the US soybean growing belt. From 1995 to 1997, HiStick returned a mean yield benefit of 2.64 bu/acre on old rotated land. Assuming seasonal soybean and HiStick prices, this returned a healthy $16.40 net benefit / acre to the farmer.

What are the differences between a sterile and a non-sterile product?
Sterile inoculants (peat and liquids) have higher concentrations of pure viable rhizobia. Contaminants are unavoidably high in non-sterile products. Thus, rhizobial numbers are quickly depleted during storage. For this reason, sterile inoculants can be stored for longer periods, and deliver higher numbers of pure (not contaminated) viable Rhizobium cells to the bean crop.

What does a sticker do?
A sticker can significantly increase the adhesion of inoculant to the seed surface. Without a sticker, the product will fail to adhere to the seed, and accumulate in the bottom of the planter box. The most convenient sticker is one that is integral or actually a part of the product, allowing a quick, clean and easy inoculation.

What does a safener do?
A safener is added to an inoculant to help protect the rhizobial cells against desiccation and pesticide exposure. Rhizobia will quickly die on the seed surface if left unprotected (even when a liquid inoculant dries on the seed, these essentially naked cells will quickly die). Additionally, the safener helps protect the Rhizobium cells from pesticides.

Why is HiStick the best product choice?
HiStick is a sterile peat based Rhizobium product delivering the highest number of rhizobia per seed. The product is formulated with both a safener and sticker, which greatly enhances the viability of the rhizobia over a wide range of conditions.

What is the benefit of using HiStick when I already have Rhizobium in the soil?
Although native rhizobia in the soil can form nodules, these nodules range in their ability to fix nitrogen. Even a red nodule center is not an indication of how efficiently the rhizobia are fixing nitrogen. Some nodules formed by indigenous rhizobia are totally ineffective, and are white, green or prematurely black in color. HiStick delivers high numbers of an effective modern Rhizobium strain. This strain is very efficient in the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen for the host plant.

How does HiStick work?
HiStick is simply applied between seed layers or onto augered seed. The sticker helps attach the product to the seed, so minimal mixing is required. If inoculated seeds are not planted within 24 hours, the seed will need re-inoculation. Once the inoculated seed are planted and start to germinate, the high concentration of inoculant Rhizobium cells on the seed surface are able to quickly form effective nodules on the developing root hairs. Nodules that actively fix nitrogen are dark red in color. Effective nodulation results in maximum nitrogen fixation, which has a direct positive benefit on yield.

Do I need special equipment to apply HiStick?
No. HiStick is compatible with all standard farm machinery.

How much mixing is required with HiStick?
HiStick has an integral sticker, which maximizes adhesion of rhizobia to the seed surface with minimal mixing. Although mixing is not essential, a quick stir of seed and inoculant or application of inoculant to augered seed will maximize seed coverage, and enhance the inoculation. With bulk handling systems, HiStick can be applied to augured seed.

Can I use HiStick in my air planter?
Yes. HiStick contains an integral sticker that maximizes product adhesion to the seed. It well in both positive pressure or negative pressure (vacuum) planters.

Can I use HiStick with bulk seed?
Yes, it can be applied and mixed quickly and conveniently in bulk systems. Either mechanically or manually mix inoculant into the seed flow while filling, usually into the hopper as it feeds into the auger or conveyor. Using this method, HiStick works very well with brush auger, belt conveyor or pneumatic systems.Also, effective and inexpensive mechanical applicators are available.

Will it slow down my planting?
No. Once the seeds have been inoculated (in planter box or via auguring), planting can be carried out as normal. Application is fast.

Will it interfere with my seed monitor?
No. HiStick contains an integral sticker that minimizes monitor eye fogging. The concentrated, low-volume formulation minimizes the volume of material going through the planter. Similar to other seed treatments, slight decreases in monitored seeding rates may be observed.

Will HiStick accumulate in the bottom of my planter?
If HiStick is quickly mixed with the seed prior to planting very little inoculant will collect at the bottom of the planter box. The concentrated, low-volume formulation minimizes settling out.

Will I get an economic return from using HiStick?
Yes. Although it is often difficult to statistically prove whether or not Rhizobium inoculants are beneficial in terms of an increase in bean yield, over 26 official trials report a mean net cost benefit of +$16.40 / acre. HiStick inoculation can be inexpensive insurance for maximum bean yield.

What rate of HiStick should I use?
For maximum yield potential, HiStick should be used at one of the following rates depending on the soil history and pesticide seed treatment.

Is HiStick safe to use?
HiStick is a natural product. All ingredients are considered non-hazardous to the manufacturer, farmer and the environment.

Can I stop using nitrogen fertilizer with HiStick?
Yes. Dry beans and snap beans have regional variations in recommendations.

Will extreme heat or cold affect HiStick?
Extreme heat can effect all inoculants during storage (see below). It is important that the product is stored correctly until used in the field. Very rarely will soil temperature reach a level that can affect HiStick inoculants.

How should I store HiStick?
Out of direct sunlight in a shady, cool part of the store. Do not allow product to be stored above 86 F. for extended periods of time.

Will freezing damage HiStick?
Unlike a liquid inoculant, freezing will not damage the Rhizobium in the sterile peat based HiStick product. For best performance, though, HiStick should be stored inside over winter (better in a basement than an unheated outbuilding).

Does soil pH affect HiStick performance?
At low soil pH, calcium and molybdenum can become deficient, and aluminium and manganese levels can increase dramatically. All these factors influence rhizobia and/or nodulation. The HiStick inoculant is generally effective over a range of soil pH conditions (5.8-8.0).

Does soil type affect HiStick performance?
HiStick is effective in all soil types. Both heavy and dry light soils tend to have lower levels of natural rhizobia. HiStick inoculation is essential on these soil types.

In a nutshell, why should I use HiStick?
Unlike many powder-based and liquid inoculants, HiStick delivers the highest concentration of a USDA recommended Rhizobium strain that guarantees maximum yields. The product is formulated with a sticker and safener for better product performance. Additionally, the sterile peat based formulation guarantees a long and stable shelf life.

For further information:

Becker Underwood, Inc.
Marty Robinson, Regional Sales Representative
2535 Tanager Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Tel: 319-395-7370, Fax: 319-395-7370
Mobile: 319-360-0011, Email: Marty.Robinson@beckerunderwood.com

Becker Underwood, Inc.
Bob Yaklich, Regional Sales Representative
2604 Stange Road #11
Ames, IA 50010
Tel: 515-232-5907
Mobile: 515-231-2888, Email: Bob.Yaklich@beckerunderwood.com

Becker Underwood, Inc.
Jim Davis, Regional Sales Representative
104-A W. Dozier Street
Marion, SC 29571
Tel: 843-423-2036, Fax: 843-423-2044
Mobile: 843-431-0927, Email: James.Davis@beckerunderwood.com

Becker Underwood, Inc. 
Brad Tucker, Regional Sales Representative 
13282 Dennison Road Milan, MI 48160 
Tel: 734-439-3261, Fax: 734-439-7028 
Mobile: 734-649-7880, Email: Brad.Tucker@beckerunderwood.com

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