AgriEnergy Resources general manager Dean Craine recently reported 2018 field trials with the firm’s new Stay Green foliar product, designed to keep corn growing rather than succumbing to early die-down.
January 2, 2019 — Replicated trials on several farms in 2018 confirmed what AgriEnergy’s initial 2017 tests showed: Stay Green applied at early to late dent stage keeps nutrients flowing and prolongs healthy kernel fill. Yield gains of around 10 to 32 bu. look highly probable. Replicated tests in 2017, under less stressful conditions than in 2018, averaged 56 bushels.
Stay Green yield benefits are consistent with other aids for keeping corn alive through early to late dent, when the potential for a final 50 bu. or more per acre is packed with deeper kernels and higher test weight. The increase in nutritional vitality also shows up in late stalk health, building stronger stalks and standability. The picture just below shows that treated corn on the left remained mostly upright in late October, following a night of 60-mph winds, while untreated corn several feet away had major stalk breakage.
Dean explained one reason why maintaining green leaves and open vascular systems is critical for finishing strong: To raise 308-bu. corn, the month from corn’s early dent to mature black later demands uptake of 115 lbs. per acre of nitrogen. This period’s N requirement is second only to 144 lbs. required during the two weeks from early tassel to full silking. If late nitrogen isn’t available, or if leaves and stalks are dying from diseases, the critical late yield isn’t added.
Stay Green is a proprietary blend of nutrients and biological support manufactured by AgriEnergy Resources at Princeton, IL. Renewable Farming LLC plans to have Stay Green available in 2019 if it’s registered for sale.
Dean showed AgriEnergy dealers the following slides at their fall/winter dealer meetings, explaining evidence found in field trials with Stay Green. The caption under each photo summarizes each trial.