Enzymes have proved their worth in Australian winter crops

Trials across Australian crops have proved the economic and environmental advantages of adding specific enzymes for more efficient use of fertiliser applications and soil nutrients to increase yield.

A third year of field trials in wheat, barley and canola across Australian broadacre regions in 2022 confirmed that application of a small amount of enzymes could boost Australian winter-crop establishment and yield.

Elemental Enzymes Australia director Guy Perriman said the invaluable roles the patented stabilised enzymes played included converting unavailable nutrients like phosphate into plant-available forms, and converting carbon residues and soil organic matter into available nutrients. 

“Enzymes are produced naturally in the soil by microbes and plant roots, but applying additional enzymes means growers can accelerate and enhance these important processes. Acting as a catalyst, enzyme reactions commence on application if moisture is present and continue for days, up to weeks. When applied with fertiliser at planting, enzymes start to work immediately and continuously near the seed, with germination into a nutrient-rich zone for better emergence and establishment. 

“If farmers are dry sowing, the enzymes are idle until rains occur.

“The beauty of Elemental Enzymes’ products is their simplicity, fitting into existing farmer practice during the fallow and at sowing time. They meet farmer objectives of improved profit margins per ha each year and longer-term improvements in soil health.”

Already commercially successful in the US, several enzyme products have now been tested extensively in Australia and the first releases, Lumen and Res+ are available to distributors and growers in 2023.

LUMEN

“Lumen is a stabilised liquid-concentrate blend of two important enzymes, lipase and mannanase, that trigger soil organic matter to release bio-available nutrients and water to the plant, and stimulate native microbial activity. 

“The lipase component converts lipids in soil organic matter to allow release of bio-available NPK nutrients for the plant and to stimulate native microbial soil activity. The mannanase breaks down exudates around the outer layers of root tips, making it easier for them to absorb extra nutrient.

Distributing these enzymes in higher concentrations and more evenly along the plant row improves the use of applied nutrients and those already present in soil organic matter.”

Mr Perriman said replicated field trials on phosphate-responsive soils had proven the ability of Lumen to improve fertiliser-use efficiency, and increase yields from existing crop nutrition practices for the farm and area. In many situations, applying only 80% of the standard rate of MAP plus the liquid enzyme Lumen have produced wheat yields, plant-counts, biomass and grain quality equivalent to the 100% MAP rate in soils where phosphorus fertilisers are recommended. 

He said the liquid enzyme Lumen allowed growers to potentially stretch their phosphorus fertilisers across more hectares, without sacrificing yield.

Australian trials

2020, 2021 and 2022 trials in West Australia, South Australia, Victoria and NSW proved the ability of Lumen to improve fertiliser-use efficiency leading to yield gains, by liquid injection at 16mL/ha.

Trials were typically run with MAP or NPK fertiliser blends. As well as getting more out of the applied fertiliser before it was tied up, there was also improved utilisation of N, P and K, with the enzymes making these nutrients more available to the plant

“So growers can confidently make the most of their fertiliser dollar this season by supplying the right amount of soil enzyme, right where and when it’s needed. Supplies of Lumen are now available across Australia for the 2023 autumn-planting season, and can be ordered through growers’ usual rural supply outlets via Agreva Sustainable Agriculture.” 

RES+ 

How does Res+ work?

Res+ was developed by Elemental Enzymes to accelerate crop-residue degradation, allowing quick return of nutrients to the soil and enhancing microbial activity, soil health and planting conditions for the following crop. Mr Perriman said Res+ contained many key factors to speed up microbial attack of residues and release of nutrients from the retained stubble residue. 

“Applying Res+ provides a uniform, high concentration of essential stubble-degrading enzyme, a humectant that locks in soil moisture on and within the stubble, plus key supporting nutrients right across the paddock – leading to faster, more consistent degradation of residues by microbes. The enzymes start work immediately and continue for several weeks, providing a nutrient-rich and friable area for improved crop establishment and growth. 

“Res+ may be sprayed onto stubble after harvest, or through the fallow period, right up until sowing time in typical broadacre water volumes. It can be added to pre-planting knockdown and pre-emergent herbicides.”

Australian trials

Multiple trials across Australia have confirmed the ability of Res+ as a unique product to speed up breakdown of crop stubble, improving workability and for quicker release of nutrients and improved soil structure for the following planting. Applied post-harvest or ahead of planting at 1.2L/ha, Res+ has led to higher yields and higher income from subsequent crops.

Res+ has been tested across many residue types, from cereals, pulse crops and sorghum, with excellent results for subsequent cereal and canola crops. A long-term study in wheat production in Katanning, Western Australia has resulted in year-on-year improved yields with more than 1T/ha of wheat grown over the 3-year period, compared with existing standard nitrogen and phosphorus programs.

Mr Perriman said this exciting new field of biological products could revolutionise agriculture by supporting plants’ ability to survive and thrive from the best to the harshest of conditions, and by boosting yield from existing farm practices, resources and inputs.