John Kempf explains how BioCoat Gold seed treatment can reduce nitrogen needs by 30-40 lb per acre in about 80% of operations, though results depend on soil carbon and a critical two-week activation window after germination. High-electrolyte starter fertilizers placed near the seed can kill the beneficial biofilm.
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We've observed high-yielding corn crops where the crop contained upwards of 60 pounds of nitrogen that we were unable to account for from applications of any type— manure, compost, cover crops, etc.— that seemed to be coming from the BioCoat Gold. Um, 35 to 40 is very common. It depends on soils having adequate carbon, adequate organic matter for that BioCoGold to really become active. It depends on there being not lots of electrolytes right on the seed or very close to the seed. It needs a couple of weeks to really activate. So those are all important variables and important pieces that it's— it's— I'm hesitant to quantify and say that you can put BioCoGold on and you can depend on it for 30 to 40 units of nitrogen. Now that will be true for 80% of the operations, but for 20% it won't be because of other extenuating circumstances. Um, something that is important that I realized I missed mentioning is, uh, there is a critical 2-week window. BioCoat Gold colonization of the rhizosphere, um, or not just BioCoat Gold, but the colonization of the plant root system and that emerging radical right at germination, there is a 2-week window right after germination, that is critical for disease resistance later on in the plant's life, and that is critical for the highest yield and the best nutrition delivery through the season. That first 2-week window is so important, and the easiest way to shut down colonization in that 2-week window is to put on a starter that has high concentrations of electrolytes. So if you put on a soluble phosphorus starter or a starter that contains a good dose of nitrogen right in close proximity to the seed, that's a good way of shutting down biofilm.
