Know Your Nutrients: Why prime your seeds?

At seeding time, there are several factors that can limit nutrient availability in the soil, such as soil temperature, moisture level and soil quality.

One thing you can do to get your crop off to a strong start is to use a Primer. Primed seeds are not dependent on nutrient density in the seed or soil nutrients, so regardless of nutrient availability, they can germinate and emerge quickly, with strong, developed root systems.

There are seven OMEX Primers, each carefully formulated to coat every seed with an ideal blend of essential macro- and micronutrients – enough nutrition to carry the plant to the 3-5 leaf stage when it can access banded fertilizer, and help the crop overcome a range of challenging soil and weather conditions.

Cold soil: In the spring, producers are anxious to get a jump on the season, but cold temperatures can greatly limit nutrient availability. For instance, until soil temperatures reach at least 12 degrees Celsius, phosphorus, potassium and zinc are unavailable to the seed. Primer Zn contains these essential elements to encourage quick emergence and establishment of cereals and oilseeds in cold conditions, preventing maturity delays later in the season.

Wet soil: In addition to contributing to poor nutrient availability, wet soils can also leave seeds more susceptible to pathogens and soil-borne diseases. Primer can help trigger plants’ natural defenses to ward off diseases. Primer Mn, for example, is formulated with a high concentration of manganese and can be used in conjunction with fungicide seed treatments to protect the germinating seed and young seedling.

Dry or sandy/light textured soils/peat soils: Under these conditions, primers are also highly effective for enhancing root development, allowing plants to better tap into sparse nutrients. Highly effective in dry or sandy/light textured soils or peat soils, Primer Cu places copper close to the root tip to promote stronger roots and stems in your cereal crop.

Late start: Seeding late in the season can also pose its own set of challenges. If you are forced to seed late, Primer can help a crop swiftly get up to speed; moving it through its cycle faster and preventing delays later in the season. Not only is it possible to catch up to crops planted earlier, it’s possible to surpass them, as producers have discovered. Click here to read about Canola Primer in action.

OMEX’s research and development is focused on maximizing yield potential with products that enhance and complement a well-balanced soil-applied fertilizer program. Talk to your retailer or OMEX sales representative about how Primers fit into your crop’s nutrition plan.

In our next post – we’re talking about a “pHix” for your hard water woes.