April 19, 1999

 New Soybean Inoculant Increases Yields In Arkansas Soybeans

Significantly higher soybeans yields were documented in 1998 in a test of a new sterile, peat-based inoculant conducted by the University of Arkansas at a site near Bradley.

The 60-acre test compared soybeans treated at planting with HiStickÒ Soybean Inoculant versus untreated soybeans. The inoculated soybeans yielded an average of 52 bushels per acre, while the untreated plot yield 48 bushels per acre. Assuming soybeans valued at $5 per bushel, the net benefit of using HiStick was $17.84 per acre, including the treatment cost ($2.16 per acre).

The gross return per acre on the inoculated field was $260 versus $240 for the untreated field. Both fields had a seeding rate of 60 lbs. per acre, and were border irrigated four times, according to Joe Vestal, Arkansas County Extension Agent for Lafayette County. Vestal noted that "yields on the verification field were about 15 bushels per acre better than surrounding irrigated fields."

MicroBio Ltd., manufacturer of HiStick Soybean Inoculant, guarantees that the product contains two billion live, viable Rhizobium per gram of product for up to two years from the label date on the package. This helps ensure product performance, as well as return on investment.

A peat-based carrier that has been sterilized by gamma radiation contains the live Rhizobium used in HiStick. This is done to avoid contamination of bacteria which can reduce the Rhizobium count.

To help attach the inoculant to the seed, a patented sticker is built into the product. This provides excellent seed coverage for uniform distribution on planted soybean seed.

In addition, a seed treatment safener has been added to HiStick to protect the Rhizobium against common seed treatments (refer to product label for more details).

MicroBio says HiStick works well in all drills and planters, including air seeders.

Two easy-to-apply package sizes are available. The 14-oz. pack treats eight bushels of soybeans, and the 56-oz unit treats 32 bushels.

Recent tests throughout soybean production areas of the U. S. have shown consistent, yield-enhancing results when HiStick was compared with traditional inoculant products and untreated plots. The tests, conducted by University and independent researchers, have been performed in a wide range of growing practices and planting conditions.

HiStick is distributed exclusively in the U. S. by Helena Chemical Company. For more details, contact any Helena location or call Jim Davis at 843-423-2036.

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