The new product’s science-backed mode of action activates the soil to increase the availability of nutrients in a sustainable way
Image: Sound Agriculture introduces new product to unlock nutrients in soil. Photo: Courtesy of skeeze/Pixabay
California-based agriculture startup Sound Agriculture is set to launch Source, a product which is claimed to help growers maximise yield by activating nutrients that already exist in the field.
To be available in the market next year, Source is claimed to use science to mimic natural plant-to-microbe signals that begin atmospheric nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilisation nutrient cycling functions.
As per Sound Agriculture, this can unlock the vital nutrients, enabling them to be used by the plants.
Such an in-season boost to nutrition could maximise yield while improving the plant health, said agriculture startup.
Sound Agriculture stated that Source was designed based on an understanding of how plants and environment interact.
It was designed for ease of use and could be adapted with current management practices. It is foliar spray, compatible with most tank mixtures and brings to additional cost because of the application.
Source is claimed to offer reliable and predictable performance because of its well-understood mode of action, supported by research and development.
Sound Agriculture chief commercial officer Diego Angelo said: “Growers are facing new challenges that traditional tools were not designed to address. Unpredictable weather and nutrient loss are significant issues that require smart tools.
“Source makes it easy for growers to respond to in-season nutrient deficiencies and increase yield in a more environmentally sound way.”
Source was already trialled across 23 states in the US this year
The firm claims that Source was used in 130 trials across 23 states this year. Initial results show that the product has a strong performance.
In previous seasons, the product demonstrated an increase in yield by an average of 9.6 bushels per acre, achieving positive yield increases 88% of the time.
Sound Agriculture co-founder and CEO Eric Davidson said: “Our life science approach to discovery has led to a deep understanding of the complex relationship between plants and the environment.
“These insights coupled with our advanced technology led to the development of Source, a product that was designed to help plants overcome adverse conditions in a way that is better for the earth.”