Feeding the world depends on feeding the soil and the plants. Scientists focusing on the holistic integrated needs of plants and soils to feed the plants are rediscovering the balance of essential but specific levels of micronutrients. More is not always better as excess nutrients can kill plants just as deficiencies can hinder production. The complexity is magnified by interactions of the naturally occurring soil properties impacting nutrient availability, the plants uptake ability, levels of water and temperature, plus the root health, genetic diversity and plant type. Despite the many factors impacting plant nutrition, the fertilization knowledge from research is expanding in attempts to unlock the genetic potential of crops.
Vanadium: Micronutrient or soil contaminant?
An example of expanded knowledge is the role of vanadium—is it a beneficial micronutrient or a toxic soil contaminant? In the early development of vanadium (V), it was considered a beneficial micronutrient for cotton. In the late 1970s and 80s, research showed that vanadium was beneficial to some plants, and low rates on some plants increased flowering, growth and yield. Crops on which this was observed included tomato, pepper and cotton. Low rates on cotton could increase yield without increasing the crop’s water requirement, and it increased grade. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a multinational company set out to develop vanadium on cotton. After implementing extensive small plot field trials throughout the Mississippi Delta with intensive measurement of growth, fruiting, yield and quality, very few beneficial results were observed in the numerous trials installed. The project was dropped and further testing cancelled after much wasted financial and human resources.
Between 2007 and 2023, U.S. Geological Survey, (USGS) conducted extensive soil sampling throughout the U.S., for numerous minerals including vanadium for which distribution was not well defined. Review of the published results of this survey reveals that soils in the Mississippi river valley contain levels of vanadium at which a positive response to added vanadium would not be expected. Thus, the failed project in the Mississippi cotton fields that was conducted before sufficient understanding or knowledge was substantiated.
Balance Risk of Fast Track Development with the Unknown
The vanadium example is also one that shows the importance of balancing fast track development with risk of the unknown. When a new concept, product or step-change improvement is clearly identified, it is natural to want to move as quickly as possible to the ultimate objective of product sales. That was the case of developing vanadium for cotton improvement. The steps in the development process are tempting to skip especially when the risk is unknown. Jumping ahead for a few months or years may sometimes pay off, but all too often, it costs a few years. Going back to the proof of concept to fully understand the critical knowledge needed to make performance consistent and predictable is costly in time and resources. The commercialization of a product without a clear understanding of the conditions in which optimum performance will be consistent, can be expensive to overcome or can be a wound that never heals.
Much information has been generated in recent years to define significant interactions, positive and negative, between vanadium and other plant nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and iron. Most soils in the US are either sufficient in vanadium and need no additional or contain excess vanadium for which research is focused on defining mitigation options.
In chemistry, the smaller effects of micronutrients and in biology the contribution of microbials are now measurable. Understanding how and when to feed the plant is evolving into a holistic soil and plant management system. As scientific experimentation gains in precision, the role of micronutrients and the overall biology of the rhizosphere improves fertility practices toward more sustainability. Read more about micronutrients and their role in plant productivity here.
Prescriptive Response
Through our Prescriptive Response™ planning process, AgriThority® offers a well-defined strategic development plan that identifies the steps required and the risk of skipping critical milestones in the process. We can develop your product from concept to commercially viable product and then support your position with scientific data for successful launch and adoption.
Our work begins with strategic assessments of the business proposition, market needs that may be met with your new technology and its pathway through registration but aims at farmer acceptance as the ultimate goal. From routine fertilizer, pesticide and biostimulant products to innovative unique product concepts requiring totally new templates for critical steps, we can deliver credible results in an optimum time frame. We work to thoroughly understand your product, your market and resource requirements before we implement. This provides the greatest opportunity for success with the least possible risk.
When your Research is ready for Development, turn to AgriThority® for strategic and scientific business, market, and product development, as well as regulatory expertise. As an independent global resource, we focus on exploring potential, expanding market access, and evolving production for greater food security and sustainability. Forward-thinking agriculture experts with deep experience are the core of AgriThority®.
