Harness the Power of the Sun for Maximum Yields
BW Fusion challenges the status quo of traditional agronomy and fertility practices through innovative technologies and education that promote soil resiliency and increase farmer ROI with data driven crop nutrition programs.
One of the ways we’re able to do this is through revolutionary products like Full Sun. Or, as we like to call it, sunshine in a jug.
Full Sun is every nutrient that's needed to maximize photosynthesis in one place, in the right ratio to achieve those benefits.
These nutrients increase overall leaf width and length, along with making leaves more erect. In corn, we also see a much stronger, more pronounced, very white midrib when using Full Sun.
Full Sun uses these plant structure changes to orient the leaves to capture more solar radiation and produce more sugar. We could apply a pound of sugar here and there, but we could never apply the amount of sugar that a plant will create on its own when performing at its full potential.
Sugar is the currency of the plant. If we create more sugar, we can boost root exudate production, which leads to new root growth and activity and increased biological activity.
SOIL BENEFITS
The root exudate production from more sugar in the plant also increases the water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) pool.
WEOC is the fuel source for our entire soil system. If we increase the WEOC, the biology can provide more back to the plant. Without proper biology in place, most of the nutrients and synthetics that we apply will never bring value. This is because the biology is what makes those nutrients and synthetics available to plants.
Full Sun also elevates CO2 gas release, which improves plant growth, and helps keep H3A nutrients and SLAN levels elevated throughout the growing season.
H3A is a measure of plant available nutrients that we access through Agronomy 365’s comprehensive soil and tissue testing. Higher H3A levels mean higher availability of nutrients within the plant.
SLAN represents how much amino acid nitrogen is present in the biological system. Amino acid nitrogen acts as the “holy grail” when it comes to nitrogen conversions within the soil and within the plant that need to take place for that protein to happen. Amino acid N is the last conversion before proteins are created.
THE PROOF: TRIAL DATA
BIOMASS
In the image above, you can see the application map and biomass imagery for a field treated with Full Sun. Full Sun was applied to the corn at V10 on June 28, 2022. On the August 30 image, just two months later, it’s very clear where Full Sun was applied. This shows us the real, visible plant health benefits from Full Sun applications.
NUTRIENT BALANCE INDEX
Mason Claude, BW Fusion Agronomy Research Lead, conducted a Full Sun trial in central Iowa to validate the impact Full Sun has on crop nutrition. This trial focused on the Nutrient Balance Index (NBI) of the crops.
In our work with Agronomy 365, we have found that NBI—measured through tissue testing—has a strong correlation with yield. The higher the NBI score, the more out of balance the nutrients are. The lower the number, the more in balance that system is.
In this trial, Full Sun was applied at VT. We can see the Full Sun applied area had a lower NBI score by 20 points, as compared to the untreated area. And, in this trial, Full Sun yielded a +15 bushel per acre increase. This trial proves how Full Sun helps balance out nutrient levels in the plant, increasing yields.
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY
One of the biggest yield limiting factors we see late in the season is that biological respiration slows and plants shut down. When plants shut down and nutrients stop moving throughout the plant, grain fill is limited.
So, in that same Iowa trial, we also measured HT3 to compare levels of biological activity and respiration within the soil in treated versus untreated acres.
Full Sun proved to keep biological respiration up as the crop continued through the growing season. By using a product like Full Sun to maintain biological activity and keep nutrients flowing, the plant remains active and continues to reach higher yields.
YIELD ADVANTAGE
The win rate and average yield increases from our Full Sun trials prove just how effective this product is at the end of the season. Full Sun Corn yielded an average +8.8 bushels per acre advantage, and Full Sun Soy saw an average +4.01 bushels per acre advantage.
Once you have Full Sun in your hands, there is an important element to consider.
Water quality is a key factor in applying Full Sun and other biological crop nutrition products. Not all water is created equal, and many waters throughout the Midwest have shown to have high pH levels in our testing.
A water pH from mid-five to low-six is ideal for Full Sun by itself. If you have higher pH water, we have seen success with growers utilizing a pH reducing product with Full Sun. Additionally, monitor your overall pH if you are tank mixing with herbicides, which can also impact pH levels.
If you’re ready to start taking advantage of the power of the sun, get in touch with our agronomists and get Full Sun on your fields this season.
