The soybean or “soya” bean is a type of legume native to eastern Asia. Soybeans contain anti-oxidants and phytonutrients that have been linked with various health benefits. Nutritionally, soybeans are mainly composed of protein, but they also contain good amounts of carbs and fat.¹
Soybeans are among the best sources of plant-based protein, which ranges from 36% to 56% of their dry weight. A good source of fat, soybeans are also used in the production of soybean oil. This produce is also low in carbs, fairly high in fiber, and a good source of several vitamins and minerals.¹
Soybeans are a globally important crop, providing oil and protein to modern diets. Global production of soybeans is forecast to be 324 million tonnes in 2016, a 5% increase from the 2014 world total.³ The United States, Brazil, and Argentina are the world’s largest soybean producers (representing 80% of the production table)⁴.
Case Study 1
In 2014, 4 – 30 inch rows of Hybrid Curry 1289 soybeans were tested in Aurora, Nebraska through Real Farm Research with the BioFlora® products Fulvex® and GOgreen®. The purpose of this trial was to determine if the treated rows would yield more than the control row.
Fulvex is our enhanced fulvic acid product derived from humates from selected mined sites throughout the United States. It acts as a chelating supplement that transports trace minerals directly to cell metabolic sites.
GOgreen is a matrix of freshwater green and yellow-green algae species that are grown and cultivated in our state-of-the-art facilties with a patented, organic process. The polysaccharides, proteins, and enzymes found in this algal solution combine with one another to help growers realize improved crop production.
Each row was divided into four ranges:
Range 1 received UTC
Range 2 received 1 quart / acre of Fulvex
Range 3 received 1 quart / acre of GOgreen
Range 4 received 1 quart / acre of Fulvex & GOgreen
BioFlora treated row (left) range four, GOgreen and Fulvex against Control row (right) range one, UTC.Our Results
This trial shows that when combined, the products Fulvex and GOgreen consistently outperformed the other product variations. This combination (range 4) brought an average increase of +2.685 bu/acre to the grower over the control (range 1).
Overall, standalone applications of GOgreen, UTC, and Fulvex followed respectively.
Positive results from this trial lead BioFlora to conduct more research on soybeans utilizing these two products.
To see more results, view Table 1 To learn more, read Case Study 2 and 3.Case Study 2
In 2015, BioFlora launched a more extensive study with Real Farm Research, to better understand how our organic product line could affect soybean yield and quality. This trial included GOgreen and Fulvex, as well as two other well-known BioFlora products, BioFlora Seaweed Creme® and Humega®.
We have already discussed GOgreen and Fulvex, now…
BioFlora Seaweed Creme begins with hand- harvested, sun-dried, Ascophyllum nodosum. This seaweed is homogenized, processed at ambient temperatures, and then enhanced with our patented ionic minerals. This procedure secures all of the natural, beneficial qualities of seaweed (amino acids, vitamins, auxins, gibberellins, folic and folinic acids) in order to stimulate increased flowering, setting, and cell density for better quality produce.
Control soybean plant (left) UTC application, BioFlora treated soybean plant (right) Fulvex application.Humega is a biologically advanced humic acid, which facilitates soil tilth and boosts microbial activity. We utilize a proprietary extraction process that is unique to our business, which aids our approach in maximizing the quality of humic acid we are able to procure.
Our Results
Complimenting the results from Case Study 1, Fulvex and GOgreen at 1 quart applications were most effective. When combined with additional products (i.e. fungicide or Roundup), Fulvex treated soybeans improved in both bushel and profit, between +10 and +8 bushels per acre. This highlights Fulvex’s chelation and transporting properties.
BioFlora Seaweed Creme at 2 quarts per acre also performed well when applied as a foliar.
To see more results, view Table 2. To learn more, read Case Study 3.Case Study 3
The following year (2016), BioFlora launched a third trial with Real Farm Research.
From our experience in Case Studies 1 and 2 we were able to narrow our focus to determine the best application rates of our products and our products in combination with others (fungicides, Roundup and other BioFlora offerings).
This methodology led to the highest series of bushel per acre gains, and the most profit back to the grower out of the three trials that were conducted with Real Farm Research over the past several years.
Our Results
We knew that Fulvex worked best when paired with either Roundup, GOgreen, a fungicide or on its own with a 1 quart application.
Results from this trial showed that these four strategies each yielded +10 bushels per acre back to the grower, with profit varying from $47.64/acre to $84.53/acre (based on product cost).
As with previous trials, GOgreen at 1 quart per acre as a standalone product also yielded impressive results (+9 bushels per acre). To see more results, view Table 3.
Table 1 Bushels per Acre
The combination of Fulvex and GOgreen, (range 4) performed the best, with an average increase of +2.685 bu/acre to the grower over the control (range 1).
Overall, standalone applications of GOgreen, UTC, and Fulvex followed respectively.
Table 2 Bushels per Acre + Profit per Acre
Complimenting the results from Case Study 1, Fulvex and GOgreen at 1 quart applications were most effective.
When combined with additional products (i.e. fungicide or Roundup), Fulvex treated soybeans improved in both bushel and profit, between +10 and +8 bushels per acre.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
The BioFlora product GO Isolates® was also used as a paired product in this trial. GO Isolates is an organic acid fortified with two strains of microorganisms in the Bacillus species, which helps inhibit the damage caused by many soil-borne plant pathogens.
Table 3 Bushels per Acre + Profit per Acre
Results from this trial showed that Fulvex, used in combination with other products and as a standalone yielded the highest.
With +10 bushels per acre back to the grower, with profits varying from $47.64/acre to $84.53/acre (based on product cost).
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
The research and development arm of BioFlora, the Integrated Life Science Research Center (ILSRC) is researching a powder version of GOgreen, noted in this trial as GOgreen (dry) to determine its viability in field trials.
About BioFlora
BioFlora was founded in 1972 with a goal to conceptualize, develop, manufacture, market, and deliver a proprietary product line to the agricultural community. Through our innovative products and programs, we provide solutions to our customers in both domestic and international markets. Today,we have over 30 unique proprietary products that benefit growers, retailers and consumers alike. Our organic and sustainable agricultural programs maximize the efficacy and efficiency of traditional agricultural inputs, while being mindful of their environmental impact.
References
1 Authority Nutrition. https://authoritynutrition.com/foods/soybeans/
2 Harvest to Table. http://www.harvesttotable.com/2009/05/how_to_grow_soybean/
3 Global Soybean Production. http://www.globalsoybeanproduction.com/default.asp
4 FAOSTAT. http://faostat3.fao.org/browse/Q/QC/E
