Top Crop Manager offers its annual Seed Treatment and Inoculant Guide, a resource to help growers and industry with a quick reference tool. The guide includes user friendly and con-cise tables that are comprehensive and valuable to our readers. Keep in mind that this is an amalgamation of charts and label information, compiled from provincial ministries as well as private sector sources. Growers should always check provincial guides and product labels to avoid errors.

The Seed Treatment charts show cereals, forages, oilseed crops and pulses, with a variety of diseases and pests that are covered by various products and formulations. Product ratings come from provincial guides and have been reviewed by the participating chemical companies.

The Inoculants charts offer the products, whether they are a nitrogen or a phosphate inoculant, their particular bacterial strains, their corresponding crops and formulations, as well as information on application and seeding timelines.

Each year, new products are introduced as others are withdrawn from the market. Due to publication lead-time conflicting with confirmation of registration for new products, there is the possibility that we have been unable to include all of them.

Top Crop Manager would like to thank Novozymes BioAg for sponsoring this year’s guide. Through their support we are able to publish this information guide to assist our readers.

February 2012www.topcropmanager.com

Rethink Tomorrow

Our vision at Novozymes BioAg is simple: to help farmers produce more with less. We utilize microbial-based technologies to help produce more, and better, food, feed, fuel, and fibre while minimizing the environmental footprint of production agriculture.

Our recent purchase of EMD Crop BioSci-ence will allow us to bring even more benefits to farmers close to home and around the world. By providing ongoing research in biofertil-ity, biocontrol, and bioyield enhancers, we are helping farmers feed the world. We believe our innovative products will significantly change the way farmers produce food. These new prod-ucts will control insects, control weeds, stimu-late growth, and make applied nutrients more efficient – all using tools supplied by nature.

As the world’s population grows, Novo-zymes BioAg is meeting demands for sustain-able solutions in agriculture, maintaining a bright future for farming and farmers alike.

This Seed Treatment and Inoculant Guide is one way to help meet our vision, by providing a sound, unbiased reference tool to help farm-ers select the optimum products for their farm. On behalf of the Novozymes BioAg team, I wish you all the best in the coming growing season.

Trevor Thiessen President

Novozymes BioAg

SEED TREATMENT & INOCULANT GUIDE 2012

TOP

CROPMANAGER

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 1 1/31/12 10:44 AM

Product line-up

JumpStart® enhances phosphate fertility JumpStart is a phosphate inoculant that helps make more soil and fertilizer phosphate available to the plant for healthier crops and higher net returns. Results from 452 independent large-plot research trials show that JumpStart gives an average of 6% higher yield and $16.79 more profit per acre across all crops.

Nothing out-yields TagTeam®. Guaranteed! TagTeam combines the best in N-fixing strains with Penicillium bilaii, a phosphate inoculant. In 263 independent, farmer-conducted, large-plot research trials over 19 years, TagTeam delivered an average yield increase of 7% on pea, lentil, chickpea, and soybean crops, compared to single-action (nitrogen-fixing only) inoculants.

Optimize® delivers breakthrough performanceOptimize for pea and soybean is formulated with a quality nitrogen inoculant and Novozymes’ patented LCO Promoter Technology®. Optimize helps your crop achieve its full genetic potential by maximizing plant health and crop performance. In small-plot research trials, Optimize out-yielded the uninoculated check by 5.5 bushels per acre in pea and 7 bushels per acre in soybean.

PulseSignal II™ provides advanced nitrogen fixationPulseSignal II is a unique pea and lentil product containing naturally occurring plant signal molecules called flavonoids that enhance and hasten the recognition step between the plant and the rhizobia, leading to earlier nodulation and nitrogen fixation.

Cell-Tech® high performing single-action inoculantCell-Tech is a superior single-action (nitrogen-only) inoculant that delivers a high net return with unparalleled service and support from the lab to the field. Where a single-action rhizobia inoculant is all that is needed, Cell-Tech is a wise choice with liquid, peat, and granular formulations to suit most cropping situations.

© 2

012

No

vozy

mes

. 20

11-3

1892

-01

Novozymes BioAg is focused on customer care and has more people in the field supporting customers than any other inoculant company. With solid agronomic training and a very strong commitment to service, our sales team is prepared to help farmers and retailers maximize their investments in fertility management products. Please call our toll-free number at 1-888-744-5662 for more information.

www.bioag.novozymes.com | 1-888-744-5662

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries we create tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, improving our customers’ business and the use of our planet’s resources. Read more at www.novozymes.com.

®TagTeam, MultiAction, JumpStart, Optimize, Cell-Tech, and LCO Promoter Technology are registered trademarks and ™ PulseSignal II is a trademark of Novozymes A/S. 01.12 11071

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 2 1/31/12 10:44 AM

Seed TreaTmenT TableS 2012

CerealS CropS diSeaSeS inSeCTS

products Common name

Che

mic

al g

roup

(R

ota

te g

roup

s to

ma

nag

e re

sista

nce)

(Che

ck

lab

el f

or d

eta

ils)

Whe

at

barle

y

oat

rye

Cor

n

Tritic

ale

Seed

and

See

dlin

g ro

ts/b

light

s

pyth

ium

See

d ro

t and

dam

ping

off

Com

mon

root

rot/

Cro

wn

rot *

*

loos

e sm

ut (

whe

at, b

arle

y, o

at)

Com

mon

bun

t (w

heat

)

Cov

ered

sm

ut (

barle

y, o

at)

Fals

e lo

ose

smut

(ba

rley)

Seed

-bor

ne S

epto

ria

early

sea

son

leaf

dis

ease

s

Wire

wor

ms

Seed

Cor

n m

aggo

t

Agrox B-2/Agrox CD diazinon + captan M X • •

Agrox FL captan M X •

Armour/Armour RTU triticonazole 3 X X X 1 • • • • •

Charter RTU triticonazole 3 X X X 1 • • • • •

Cruiser 5FS/Cruiser 350 FS t thiamethoxam 4 X X X X X •*** •

Cruiser Maxx Cerealsthiamethoxam + difenoconazole + metalaxyl-M

4, 3, 4 X X 1 • • • • • • •***

DB Red L maneb M X X X X 1 • 4 • •

Dividend XL RTA difenoconazole + metalaxyl-M 3, 4 X X X X X X 1 • • 5 4 • • •

Gemini triticonazole + thiram 3, M X X X 1 2 2 • • • •

Maxim products mefenoxam, fludioxonil  12 X X X X X X 1

Rancona Apex ipconazole 3 X X X X X 1 • • • • •

Raxil MD tebuconazole + metalaxyl 3,4 X X X 1 • • • • • • 8 7

Raxil T tebuconazole + thiram 3, M X X X 1 • • • • • • 8 7

Raxil WW tebuconazole + metalaxyl + imidacloprid 3, 4, 4 X X X 1 • • • • • • 8 7 •

Thiram 75WP thiram M X 1 •

Vitaflo 280 carbathiin + thiram 7, M X X X X X X 1 • • • • • • 87, 9

* For export markets only. ** Suppression only. *** Rye and triticale only have registration for use of Cruiser 350FS for control of wireworms. Important: Top Crop Manager’s Seed Treatment and Inoculants Guide tables are a guide only. It is highly recommended that growers refer to local provincial guides and labels.

t Available to commercial seed treaters only.

1 Includes seed rots and blights caused by Fusarium species,

2 Except oats.3 Includes powdery mildew,

leaf stripe, net blotch and scald.

4 Includes rye5 Except barley, 6 Includes black cutworms,

corn flea beetle and white grubs.

7 Barley leaf stripe only. 8 Wheat only. 9 Barley net blotch only.

Product line-up

JumpStart® enhances phosphate fertility JumpStart is a phosphate inoculant that helps make more soil and fertilizer phosphate available to the plant for healthier crops and higher net returns. Results from 452 independent large-plot research trials show that JumpStart gives an average of 6% higher yield and $16.79 more profit per acre across all crops.

Nothing out-yields TagTeam®. Guaranteed! TagTeam combines the best in N-fixing strains with Penicillium bilaii, a phosphate inoculant. In 263 independent, farmer-conducted, large-plot research trials over 19 years, TagTeam delivered an average yield increase of 7% on pea, lentil, chickpea, and soybean crops, compared to single-action (nitrogen-fixing only) inoculants.

Optimize® delivers breakthrough performanceOptimize for pea and soybean is formulated with a quality nitrogen inoculant and Novozymes’ patented LCO Promoter Technology®. Optimize helps your crop achieve its full genetic potential by maximizing plant health and crop performance. In small-plot research trials, Optimize out-yielded the uninoculated check by 5.5 bushels per acre in pea and 7 bushels per acre in soybean.

PulseSignal II™ provides advanced nitrogen fixationPulseSignal II is a unique pea and lentil product containing naturally occurring plant signal molecules called flavonoids that enhance and hasten the recognition step between the plant and the rhizobia, leading to earlier nodulation and nitrogen fixation.

Cell-Tech® high performing single-action inoculantCell-Tech is a superior single-action (nitrogen-only) inoculant that delivers a high net return with unparalleled service and support from the lab to the field. Where a single-action rhizobia inoculant is all that is needed, Cell-Tech is a wise choice with liquid, peat, and granular formulations to suit most cropping situations.

© 2

012

No

vozy

mes

. 20

11-3

1892

-01

Novozymes BioAg is focused on customer care and has more people in the field supporting customers than any other inoculant company. With solid agronomic training and a very strong commitment to service, our sales team is prepared to help farmers and retailers maximize their investments in fertility management products. Please call our toll-free number at 1-888-744-5662 for more information.

www.bioag.novozymes.com | 1-888-744-5662

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries we create tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, improving our customers’ business and the use of our planet’s resources. Read more at www.novozymes.com.

®TagTeam, MultiAction, JumpStart, Optimize, Cell-Tech, and LCO Promoter Technology are registered trademarks and ™ PulseSignal II is a trademark of Novozymes A/S. 01.12 11071

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 3 1/31/12 10:44 AM

Seed TreaTmenT TableS 2012

1 Only for low-tannin lentils.

2 May include seed rots and blights caused by Rhizoctonia, Fusarium and/or Botrytisspecies.

3 Includes early season Phytophthoraroot rot.

4 Except peas. 5 Except chickpeas and

lentils.

t Available to commercial seed treaters only. * Registered for Cruiser 5FS only. Important: Top Crop Manager’s Seed Treatment and Inoculants Guide tables are a guide only. It is highly recommended that growers refer to local provincial guides and labels.

pUlSeS CropS diSeaSeS inSeCTS noTeS

products Common name

Che

mic

al g

roup

(Ro

tate

gro

ups

to m

ana

ge re

sista

nce)

(C

heck

lab

el f

or d

eta

ils)

bean

s

Chi

ckpe

as

l ent

il

pea

Soyb

ean

Seed

and

See

dlin

g ro

ts/b

light

s

p yth

ium

See

d ro

t and

dam

ping

off

Seed

-bor

ne a

scho

chyt

a (c

hick

pea,

lent

il, p

ea)

Seed

-bor

ne a

nthr

acno

se (

bean

s)

Seed

-bor

ne p

hom

opsi

s (s

oybe

an)

pea

leaf

Wee

vil (

pea

only

)

r oot

mag

gots

Seed

cor

n m

aggo

t

Wire

wor

ms

Soyb

ean

aphi

d

pota

to le

afho

pper

(dr

y be

ans

only

)

Agrox B-2/Agrox CD diazinon + captan M X X X • • •

Agrox FL captan M X X X •

Apron Maxx RTA fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M 4, 12 X X X X X 2 • • • 3

Belmont 3.8 FS metalaxyl 4 X X X1 X X 3

Crown carbathiin + thiabendazole 7,1 X X 2 4

Cruiser 5FS/Cruiser 350FS t thiamethoxam 4 X X X •* • • • •

Cruiser Maxx Beans thiamethoxam + metalaxyl-M + fludioxonil 4, 4, 12 X X • • • 3 • • • •

DCT diazinon + captan + thiophanate methyl M, 1 X • • • Also registered for

sweet corn

Maxim Liquid PSP/Maxim PSP/ Maxim MZPSP

fludioxonil/fludioxonil + mancozeb 12/M3, 12 X X X X X 2 •

Thiram 75WP thiram M X X X 2 •

Trilex AL trifloxystrobin + metalaxyl 4, 11 X X X X X 2 • 6 •

Vitaflo 280 carbathiin + thiram 7, M X X X X 2 • 5 • •

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 4 1/31/12 10:44 AM

To maximize pulse crop yields, a balanced approach to nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P) nutrition is critical. Phosphate nutrition has a significant positive impact on nitrogen fixation. Good P nutrition, achieved through a combination of inoculation and P fertiliza tion, results in more nodules being formed and more active N-fixation. That’s where TagTeam comes in.

TagTeam combines the best in rhizobia strains with the naturally occurring soil organism Penicillium bilaii (P. bilaii). This organism and the rhizobia in TagTeam work together to provide balanced N and P nutrition to the pulse crop. At Limerick, Saskatchewan, Ron Smith and his brother Wayne of Smith Seeds have been using TagTeam for years.

“We use TagTeam because we are looking for a little more help on phosphate nutrition,” says Ron Smith. “It helps release some phosphate from the soil so the plant has more to access.”

The Smiths grow pea, lentil, and chickpea in rotation with spring wheat, durum, and canola. They use TagTeam granular and seed-place 50 pounds of 11-51-0 when seeding pulses.

At Mossbank, Saskatchewan, Clint Shkuratoff has used TagTeam in a granular formulation for about five years. He grows lentil, chickpea, durum,

and canola in rotation. The convenience and exemplary product service from local Novozymes sales representative Ian Schafer is what first got Shkuratoff using TagTeam. The performance of TagTeam has kept him a loyal user.

“We have never done side-by-side comparisons, but we have always seen good yields with TagTeam, and the lentils do stand up well,” says Shkuratoff. He also applies 50 pounds of 11-51-0 fertilizer with the seed on his pulse crops.

The Smiths haven’t done side-by-sides either, but Ron feels that they get more nodulation with TagTeam, and that the granular formulation provides better performance than liquid formulations. The conven ience of the granule application is also a big seller for the Smiths, who found the mini-bulk bag especially easy to use.

Shkuratoff says the TagTeam granules are easy to work with, the bags are light to handle, and he can do a lot of acres with one fill of his granular tank. “The bags are easy and fast to load up the tank with, and they save a lot of time at seeding.”

Higher yieldsWhile neither Shkuratoff nor Smith has done side- by-side comparisons, many other farmers have. In western Canada, 263 independent large-plot

research trials were conducted between 1991 and 2010 comparing TagTeam to single-action (nitrogen-only) inoculants. In those trials, TagTeam increased yields by an average of 7% compared to nitrogen-only single-action inoculants.

Nothing out-yields TagTeam. Guaranteed!

Go to www.useTagTeam.ca for further information on the TagTeam ROI guarantee.

The TagTeam ROI guarantee.

TagTeam pea and lentil inoculants offer the best yields and the best value on the market. At Novozymes BioAg we measure value as the most dollars in the farmer’s pocket at the end of the season and not the cheapest product. Our best yields, best value statement may seem bold, but we are standing behind it with our ROI (return on investment) guarantee. If TagTeam does not deliver the best value to you, we will refund the cost difference between TagTeam and the single-action (nitrogen-only) inoculant it was compared against.

MultiAction®

Legume Fertility

www.useTagTeam.ca | 1-888-744-5662

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries we create tomorrow’s industrial bio-solutions, improving our customers’ business and the use of our planet’s resources. Read more at www.novozymes.com.

Nitrogen and phosphate, the ultimate inoculant.

TagTeam is the only MultiAction® nitrogen and PHOSPHATE inoculant.

1 Net return is calculated after the cost of inoculants is removed, using current commodity prices of $15.00/bu for lentil, $8.00/bu for pea, $12.00/bu for soybean, and $21.50/bu for chickpea.

The data in the graph above reflect the actual work completed and include data from all trials conducted. The yield differences quoted are an average of all those trials. A complete list of all TagTeam trials can be found at www.useTagTeam.ca.

CropNumber of trials

Yield increase with TagTeam Net return1 per acre with

TagTeamBu/ac Percentage

Total trials 263 2.1 7% $23.16

Chickpea 12 2.2 7% $32.99

Lentil 36 1.5 7% $19.03

Pea 177 2.8 8% $18.77

Soybean 38 2.0 5% $21.84

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

TagTeam®

provides balanced nutrition Convenience and performance drive TagTeam use

© 2

012

No

vozy

mes

. 20

11-3

1774

-01

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 5 1/31/12 10:44 AM

oilSeedS CropS diSeaSeS inSeCTS noTeS

products Common name

Che

mic

al g

roup

(Ro

tate

gro

ups

to m

ana

ge re

sista

nce)

(C

heck

lab

el f

or d

eta

ils)

Can

ola

mus

tard

Flax

Sunf

low

er

Saffl

ower

Seed

and

See

dlin

g ro

ts/b

light

s

pyth

ium

See

d ro

t and

dam

ping

off

Seed

-bor

ne b

lack

leg

(can

ola)

Seed

-bor

ne a

ltern

aria

Flea

bee

tles

Acceleron tthiamethoxam + difeno-conazole + metalaxyl-M + fludioxonil + bacillus subtillus

4, 3, 4, 12 X • • • • •

Biological component is a naturally occuring soil bacterium that contrib-utes to better control of the seedling disease complex in canola

Apron FL/Allegiance FL metalaxyl 4 X X 1

Helix Xtra tthiamethoxam + difeno-conazole + metalaxyl-M + fludioxonil

4, 3, 4, 12 X X • • • • •

Maxim Liquid PSP/Maxim PSP/ Maxim MZPSP

fludioxonil/fludioxonil + mancozeb 12/M3, 12 X X X X X •

Prosper FL/FX t clothianidin + carbathiin + trifloxystrobin + metalaxyl 4, 7, 11, 4 X X • • • • •

Thiram 75WP thiram M X X • •

Vitaflo 280 carbathiin + thiram 7, M X •

t Available to commercial seed treaters only. 1 Includes seed rots and blights caused by Fusarium species.

Seed TreaTmenT TableS 2012

ForaGeS CropS diSeaSeS

products Common name

Che

mic

al g

roup

(Ro

tate

gro

ups

to m

ana

ge re

sis-

tanc

e)

(C

heck

lab

el f

or d

eta

ils)

legu

mes

(al

falfa

, bird

’s-f

oot

trefo

il, c

love

r, ve

tch

and

sain

foin

)

Gra

sses

Her

bs a

nd S

pice

s

Seed

and

See

dlin

g ro

ts/

blig

hts

pyth

ium

See

d ro

t and

d

ampi

ng o

ff

Belmont 3.8 FS metalaxyl 4 X X •

Maxim Liquid PSP/Maxim PSP/ Maxim MZPSP

fludioxonil/fludioxonil + mancozeb 12/M3, 12 X X X** •

Thiram 75WP thiram M X* X • •

* For alfalfa only . ** Includes anise, borage, caraway, coriander, dill and others.

Important: Top Crop Manager’s Seed Treatment and Inoculants Guide tables are a guide only. It is highly recommended that growers refer to local provincial guides and labels.

Important: Top Crop Manager’s Seed Treatment and Inoculants Guide tables are a guide only. It is highly recommended that growers refer to local provincial guides and labels.

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 6 1/31/12 10:44 AM

oilSeedS CropS diSeaSeS inSeCTS noTeS

products Common name

Che

mic

al g

roup

(Ro

tate

gro

ups

to m

ana

ge re

sista

nce)

(C

heck

lab

el f

or d

eta

ils)

Can

ola

mus

tard

Flax

Sunf

low

er

Saffl

ower

Seed

and

See

dlin

g ro

ts/b

light

s

pyth

ium

See

d ro

t and

dam

ping

off

Seed

-bor

ne b

lack

leg

(can

ola)

Seed

-bor

ne a

ltern

aria

Flea

bee

tles

Acceleron tthiamethoxam + difeno-conazole + metalaxyl-M + fludioxonil + bacillus subtillus

4, 3, 4, 12 X • • • • •

Biological component is a naturally occuring soil bacterium that contrib-utes to better control of the seedling disease complex in canola

Apron FL/Allegiance FL metalaxyl 4 X X 1

Helix Xtra tthiamethoxam + difeno-conazole + metalaxyl-M + fludioxonil

4, 3, 4, 12 X X • • • • •

Maxim Liquid PSP/Maxim PSP/ Maxim MZPSP

fludioxonil/fludioxonil + mancozeb 12/M3, 12 X X X X X •

Prosper FL/FX t clothianidin + carbathiin + trifloxystrobin + metalaxyl 4, 7, 11, 4 X X • • • • •

Thiram 75WP thiram M X X • •

Vitaflo 280 carbathiin + thiram 7, M X •

t Available to commercial seed treaters only. 1 Includes seed rots and blights caused by Fusarium species.

Assessing pulse crop nodulAtion

W ith successful inoculation, pulse crops can fix as much as 50 to 80 percent of their total ni-trogen (N) requirement. Often, that means 60 pounds per acre or more of N fixed from the

air. But despite the importance of N fixation, few actually as-sess the success of inoculation after seeding.

“From what I have seen in the field and in talking to farmers and agronomists, most do not check for nodulation unless it is after the fact, when they see they have a problem,” says Kevin Zaychuk, Business Development Manager with 20/20 Seed Labs at Nisku, Alberta.

Zaychuk helped modify a nodulation and nitrogen fixation field assessment guide, based on a B.C. Ministry of Agriculture publication. The guide provides information on how to assess the effectiveness of inoculation, and rates nodulation success by scoring three factors; plant and growth vigour, nodule colour/number, and nodule position. (See sidebar).

Dale Risula, provincial pulse specialist with the Saskatch-ewan Ministry of Agriculture says that checking for successful nodulation is not difficult to do and provides a few tips on as-sessing nodulations.

“Assessing too early is a common mistake. After seeding, the process of nodulation takes some time for the Rhizobia bacteria to infect the root and the nodule to develop,” says Risula.

Approximately two weeks after crop emergence, nodule for-

Dig it.

Pho

to C

ou

Rtes

y sa

ska

tCh

ewa

n M

inis

tRy

of

ag

RiC

ult

uRe

CRo

P PR

ote

Ctio

n l

abo

Rto

Ry.

Pho

to b

y bR

uC

e ba

RkeR

.

pUlSeS

by Bruce Barker

Top: Healthy, functioning nodules are a bright pink to beef-red colour.

boTTom: Carefully dig up nodules to assess inoculation success.

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 7 1/31/12 10:44 AM

mation may begin, but usually takes three to four weeks. As the plant grows, the number of nodules will increase, as does the rate of N fixation. Optimum nodule development and maximum N fixa-tion is achieved at the mid-flowering stage when plants require the most N for growth. Assessing for inoculation success is best done during early flowering

After flowering, the number of nodules and the amount of fix-ation declines as the plant progresses to maturity. Assessing for nodules after flowering does not give a true picture of inoculation success.

After herbicide application, wait a few days before assessing nodules. Herbicide application may impact nitrogen fixation, so give the nodules a few days to recover before assessing nodule health.

When assessing nodulation, Risula cautions against pulling plants out of the ground. Rather they should be carefully dug up as the nodules are delicately attached to the roots and can be easily

pulled off. Wash or brush the soil from the roots and look for nodules. The location of the nodules will depend on the formulation and

placement of inoculant. Soil applied granular or liquid inoculant will result in nodules forming on the primary and secondary roots in the treated layer of soil. Seed-applied inoculants will produce nod-ules mostly on the primary root near the crown.

To further assess the success of inoculation, carefully slice open the nodules. Healthy, active nodules are pink to beef-red in colour. This colour is caused by leghaemoglobin, an iron-containing pig-ment that must be present for active fixation. If the inside of the nodule is brown, white or green, the nodule is not effectively fixing N. Generally, the greater nodule number, size, and weight will mean the best N fixation.

“The more robust the nodules are, the more effective and produc-tive they are,” explains Risula.

How to ConduCt a nodulation assessment timing

This guide is provided by 20/20 Seed Labs and is found on their website under their

Technical Bulletins section.

Nodulation assessments should be done during early flowering. Nodule formation begins approximately 14 days after crop emer-gence, but under certain conditions formation may take three to four weeks. Nodule numbers and nitrogen fixation rates generally are at a maximum during early to mid-flowering. After flowering, nodule efficiency is reduced and they begin to shut down. 

Procedure1. Walk an X pattern through the field and

sample plants from areas with different growing conditions, i.e. high and low ground. Sample 5 to 10 plants in 2 to 3 rep-resentative field areas; do not sample plants from field edges.

2. Carefully excavate the soil at the sample site – do not pull plants out of soil as nodules are delicately attached to roots and can be easily lost. A minimum of two plants per sample area is essential. If plants are sparsely distributed or obviously variable in appear-ance, individual plants may be sampled, but the overall sample number should be increased to compensate.

3. Carefully examine plant roots to assess the nodules. Depending on the soil type and condition, this may require gently agitating the roots in water.

4. Assess the overall nodulation by using the assessment criteria outlined below. 

assessment Criteria 1. Examine Plant and Growth Vigour Poor nitrogen fixation can cause nitrogen

deficiency symptoms such as yellowing leaves at the base of the plant prior to flowering, and poor plant development. Examine the above-ground portion of each sampled plant and assign a score based on the following:• Plants green and vigorous    5• Plants green and relatively small    3• Plants slightly chlorotic (less green)    2• Plants very chlorotic    1

2. Examine Nodule Colour and Number Nodule colour and the number of clusters

can determine nitrogen fixation efficien-cy. Count the number of clusters on each plant then carefully slice open the nodules. A strong pink colour indicates the presence of leghemoglobin, an oxygen carrier, which is necessary for active nitrogen fixation.  Brown, white or green nodules are considered ineffective.• Greater than five clusters of pink

pigmented nodules    5• Three to five clusters of predominantly

pink nodules    3• Less than three clusters of nodules,

or whitish/greenish nodules    1• No nodules, or white/green nodules    0

3. Examine Nodule Position Inoculated seeds tend to form nodules

primarily in the crown region, while lateral nodulation is common when granular inoculants are used, or when native rhizobia

species exist in the soil. The crown region is the area of soil surrounding the seed and varies according to the crop. For example, the crown region for peas can be visualized as a cylinder extending approximately 8 cm to 10 cm deep from the soil surface, with an 8 cm diameter.• Crown and lateral nodulation    3• Generally crown nodulation    2• Generally lateral nodulation    1 

Calculate your Total ScoreAdd up your assessments for a total nodulation score per plant and use the following score sheet to determine your crop’s nitrogen fixing potential.

Total Score = 11 to 13•Nodulation Assessment:

Effective Nodulation•Nitrogen Fixing Potential: Good. No further

Steps required 

Total Score = 7 to 10•Nodulation Assessment:

Less effective nodulation•Nitrogen Fixing Potential: Reduced. Check

inoculation method for errors; could also be a result of less than optimal growing conditions.

Total Score = 1 to 6•Nodulation Assessment: Unsatisfactory•Nitrogen Fixing Potential: Poor. Re-evaluate

inoculants used, inoculation method and growing conditions.

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 8 1/31/12 10:44 AM

TOP

CROPMANAGER

bio-enHanCerS 2012

products Class active ingredient

registered Crops

mode of action Formulation

planting window

(after treatment)

appli-cation timing

Compatibility (issues with other seed treatments)

additional comments

BioBoost LiquidPlant growth-

promoting rhizobacterium

Delftia acidovorans

canola

Plant growth enhancement through all of some of the following:

• sulphur oxidation • enhanced root • aggressive root

colonizer

liquid culture n/a 0- to 6-leaf tank mix with glyphosate

Applied as a post-emergent spray. Use on Genuity Roundup

Ready canola if tank mixing with glyphosate

Reasons foR inoCulant failuRe

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture information provides the following

reasons why inoculation may fail:

• Using the wrong species of Rhizobium for the crop seeded, or using inadequate rates of inoculant.  Calibrate seeding equipment using inoculated seed as it may have slower flow rates than seed that has not been inoculated.

• Delays between inoculation and seeding.  The bacteria die rapidly when exposed to temperature extremes and drying conditions.  Ideally, inoculate only enough seed that can be planted within six hours. Under cool, dark storage conditions, bacteria can survive on seed for about one to two days, depending on the inoculant formulation.  Any further delay will require retreating.  Check product labels for manufacturer’s instructions - some liquid products must be reapplied if the treated seed is held longer than six hours.

• Improper inoculant storage conditions.  High temperatures or exposure to sunlight can kill the bacteria.  This can occur in a short period of time, such as during transport or inside a warm vehicle.  Inoculants should always be kept cool and out of direct sunlight.

• Environmental conditions (cool soil, waterlogged soil, drought stress or salt stress) that slow crop development and reduce the ability of the plant to supply energy and nutrients for nodule formation and fixation.  Plant stress may result in

delayed nodule formation and cause the fixation process to stop.

• Low available phosphate levels can slow seedling development and reduce the ability of the plant to fix nitrogen. 

• Dry soil during the first two weeks after seeding can lead to desiccation (drying out) of the inoculant and death of the Rhizobium.

• Native Rhizobium bacteria can cause colonization of the roots; however, the native Rhizobium may be inefficient nitrogen fixers.  In some cases, nodules form, but do not have the pink or red interior and are not effective.

• Shallow seeding into soil that dries out periodically after seeding may lead to the desiccation of the Rhizobium.

• High levels of available soil nitrogen (more than 55 kg/ha or 50 lb./acre) cause the crop to preferentially use nitrogen from the soil.

• Failure to use a sticker with a peat powder inoculant may limit the number of bacteria on the seed coat and thus reduce nodulation.

• Blending granular inoculant with fertilizer in the seeder tank.  Live bacteria counts of granular inoculant blended with 11-51-0 fertilizer were reduced by 93 per cent after three hours.

• Bridging of granular inoculants in the seeder tank can lead to uneven application (Figure 4).  Follow manufacturer’s label directions to avoid bridging.

top crop Manager is grateful to the numerous seed treatment and

inoculant specialists for their assistance and

helpful suggestions contained in the

top crop Manager seed treatment and

inoculant guide. We strongly advise growers to check

provincial guides and product labels for full

details and as a cross reference.

Important: Top Crop Manager’s Seed Treatment and Inoculants Guide tables are a guide only. It is highly recommended that growers refer to local provincial guides and labels.

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 9 1/31/12 10:44 AM

inoCUlanTS 2012products Class active ingredient registered crops Formulation planting window additional comments

Cell-Tech Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

pea liquid up to 24 hours on seed

Cell-Tech Nitrogen inoculant Rhizobium leguminosarum lentil, pea peat apply up to two days before seedingSee product label or contact rep for com-patibility and planting window options

Cell-Tech Nitrogen inoculant Bradyrhizobium japonicum soybean liquid apply within four days of seedingSee product label or contact rep for com-patibility and planting window options

Cell-Tech Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

lentil, pea peat granular season long (in-furrow application) Now available in 1000 lb (454 kg) bulk tote

Cell-Tech Nitrogen inoculant Bradyrhizobium japonicum soybean peat granular season long (in-furrow application) Now available in 1000 lb (454 kg) bulk tote

Dormal Nitrogen inoculant Sinorhizobium melioloti alfalfa, sweet cloverseed company-applied

non-treated seed, apply within seven months

For compatibility of Becker Underwood inoculants with specific seed treatments, visit www.nodulatorxl.com

FNA Boost-N Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

lentil, pea granular apply in-furrow at seeding timeAvailable in 800 lb mini-bulk and 40 lb bags

FNA Boost-N Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

lentil, pea liquidapply to seed and plant within four hours or apply in-furrow and plant within 24 hours of dilution

FNA Boost-N Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

lentil, pea peat-basedseed as soon as possible after treatment, preferably within four hours

JumpStart Phosphate inoculant Penicillium bilaii canola pre-treated > 30 daysSee bioag.novozymes.com or contact rep for compatibility and planting window options

JumpStart Phosphate inoculant Penicillium bilaii multiple crops wettable powder 30 daysSee bioag.novozymes.com or contact rep for compatibility and planting window options

Myke Pro GREndomycorrhizal inoculant

Glomus intraradices grasses, cereal, pulses fine granules in-furrow and side-dress applicationsFor compatibility of Myke Pro with specific seed treatments, visit www.usemykepro.com

Myke Pro PS3Endomycorrhizal inoculant

Glomus intraradices grasses, cereal, pulses wettable powderapply as a slurry, damp or dry inoculation, seed within 12 hours

For compatibility of Myke Pro with specific seed treatments, visit www.usemykepro.com

Nitragin Gold Nitrogen inoculant Sinorhizobium melioloti alfalfa, sweet cloverseed company-applied

up to 18 months on seed Compatible with Apron XL/Allegiance FL

Nodulator Nitrogen inoculant Sinorhizobium melioloti alfalfa, sweet clover self-adhering peat non-treated seed: four to six hoursFor compatibility of Becker Underwood inoculants with specific seed treatments, visit www.nodulatorxl.com

Nodulator Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum bv.trifoli

alsike, red and white clover self-adhering peat non-treated seed: four to six hoursFor compatibility of Becker Underwood inoculants with specific seed treatments, visit www.nodulatorxl.com

Nodulator Nitrogen inoculant Rhizobium sp. (Cicer) chickpeaslow dust granular solid core

apply in-furrow at seeding

Nodulator Nitrogen inoculant Rhizobium sp. (Cicer) chickpeas self-adhering peat non-treated seed: within one dayFor compatibility of Becker Underwood inoculants with specific seed treatments, visit www.nodulator.com

Nodulator Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar phaseoli)

dry beanlow dust granular solid core

apply in-furrow at seeding

Nodulator Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar phaseoli)

dry bean self-adhering peat non-treated seed within one dayFor compatibility of Becker Underwood inoculants with specific seed treatments, visit www.nodulatorxl.com

Nodulator XL Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

pea and lentillow dust granular solid core

apply in-furrow at seedingAvailable in either 50 lb bags or 800 lb mini-bulk bags

Nodulator XL Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

pea and lentil liquidnon-treated seed in six hours; if not seeded within six hours, seed must be re-inoculated

Important: Top Crop Manager’s Seed Treatment and Inoculants Guide tables are a guide only. It is highly recommended that growers refer to local provincial guides and labels.

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 10 1/31/12 10:44 AM

Plants and bacteria talking to each other? Sounds like science fiction, but that is exactly what scientists have discovered. Like a wink, legume plant roots say hello to nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and with a nod back, the bacteria lets the legume plant root know it is in the area and ready to go to work.

“Legume plants and rhizobia bacteria need to communicate with each other before they can establish their symbiotic relationship. The LCO (lipo-chitooligosaccharide) molecule is unique as it drives communication between the rhizobia bacteria and the legume plant,” says Jeff Bennett, agronomist with Novozymes BioAg in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Optimize combines a rhizobia inoculant with Novozymes’ patented LCO Promoter Technology. It is available in a granular formulation for pea and liquid for soybean.

The nod factorBennett explains that for nodule formation to occur, the legume roots and bacteria must strike up a conversation. The legume roots initiate the conversation by sending a signal out to the rhizobia bacteria. The root does this by sending out naturally occurring plant signal molecules called flavonoids, essentially asking if any rhizobia are in the neighbourhood. When the rhizobia receive the message, the rhizobia communicate back through the LCO molecule saying ‘yes, let’s get together.’

“There are many bacteria in the soil and not all bacteria are beneficial. This LCO signal back to the plant root lets the plant root know who the bacteria is and that it is safe to let the bacteria into the root,” explains Bennett. “It is called the ‘nod factor’, and nodulation doesn’t happen without it.”

There are barriers to this natural process such as temperature, moisture stress, and high levels of nitrogen in the soil. Bennett explains that combining LCO Promoter Technology with the rhizobia bacteria

in Optimize helps to shortcut the natural process and speed root infection and nodulation.

“It is like shouting in a stadium. There are a lot of bacteria in the rhizosphere, and the rhizobia have to shout loud to be heard over the other ones. Using LCO Promoter Technology is like using a megaphone to drown out the noise in the rhizosphere. The root can hear the beneficial rhizobia much easier,” says Bennett.

Once the plant receives the nod, natural growth processes such as root and shoot development are stimulated, and gateways are opened to allow rhizobia bacteria to infect the root, resulting in the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules. With Optimize, this process happens sooner, resulting in earlier nodulation and faster root development.

Healthier plants and higher yieldsThirty-eight research trials conducted in North America over seven years have found that Optimize produces maximum plant health and crop performance. With enhanced nodulation and nitrogen-fixation, plants have shown improved root systems that take up nutrients and water better; improved vigour and stand establishment; and faster canopy closure that helps to reduce weed pressure and conserve soil moisture.

In western Canadian trials on pea, Bennett says he has seen those advantages firsthand. Nodules are much healthier and longer lasting on Optimize-inoculated plants. He says the nodules develop sooner and are much brighter pink/red in colour. The roots are noticeably larger and the crop greener.

“There doesn’t seem to be that lag time in the spring when the crop is showing N-deficiencies. The crop is greener because N-fixation starts sooner and the plant has access to early season nitrogen,” explains Bennett.

LCO Promoter Technology® enhances performance

Optimize® produces earlier, better nodulation for increased yields

30

35

40

45

50

Optimize®Uninoculated check

51.4A

vera

ge

yiel

d (

bu

/ac)

Optimize® increases soybean yield

Source: Summary of 26 small-plot research trials conducted in Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec since 2004. Results are published on our website.

30

35

40

45

50

Optimize®Uninoculated check

51.4

Ave

rag

e yi

eld

(b

u/a

c)

Optimize® increases pea yield

Source: Summary of 38 research trials conducted in North America since 2004. All trial results are published on our website.

Optimize® promotes healthier, longer-lasting nodules on pea plants.

www.useOptimize.ca | 1-888-744-5662

LCO PromoterTechnology®

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries we create tomorrow’s industrial bio-solutions, improving our customers’ business and the use of our planet’s resources. Read more at www.novozymes.com.

Breakthrough performance for pea and soybean

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

© 2

012

Nov

ozym

es.

2011

-317

73-0

1

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 11 1/31/12 10:44 AM

Nodulator Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

pea and lentil granular -peat-based apply in-furrow at seedingFor compatibility of Becker Underwood inoculants with specific seed treatments, visit www.nodulatorxl.com

Nodulator XL Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

pea and lentilself-adhering sterile peat

non-treated seed: within one dayFor compatibility of Becker Underwood inoculants with specific seed treatments, visit www.nodulatorxl.com

Nodulator Nitrogen inoculant Bradyrhizobium japonicum soybeans granular (spherical) apply in-furrow at seeding

Nodulator N/T Nitrogen inoculant + Nodulating Trigger Biological

Bradyrhizobium japonicum + Bacillus subtilis

soybeansself-adhering sterile peat

non-treated seed: one dayFor compatibility of Becker Underwood inoculants with specific seed treatments, visit www.nodulatornt.com

Nodulator N/T Nitrogen inoculant + Nodulating Trigger Biological

Bradyrhizobium japonicum + Bacillus subtilis

soybeans liquidNon-treated seed with use of Becker Underwood Liquid Extender: 30 days; non-treated seed: 10 days

For compatibility of Becker Underwood inoculants with specific seed treatments, visit www.nodulatornt.com

OptimizePlant signal compound + Nitrogen inoculant

Minimum of 0.7 percent lipo-chito-oligosaccaride in Bradyrhi-zobium japonicum carrier

soybeans liquid up to 30 days on seedContains Novozyme’s LCO Promoter Technology

OptimizePlant signal compound + Nitrogen inoculant

Minimum of 0.7 percent lipo-chito-oligosaccaride in Rhizobium leguminosarum carrier

pea granular season long (in-furrow application)Contains Novozyme’s LCO Promoter Technology

Patrol N/T* Nitrogen inoculantBradyrhizobium japonicum + Bacillus subtilis

soybeans liquidPlant all treated seed as soon as possible, and within a maxiumum of 10 days follow-ing inoculation

Keep treated seed between 1 and 20 degrees Celsius *Registration pending on Patrol N/T -expected registration -February 2011

PulseSignal II Plant signal compound Flavonoid signals in a Rhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae) carrier

lentil, pea liquid up to 24 hours on seedCompatible up to four hours with approved seed treatments

So-Fast Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

lentil, pea liquid seed as soon as possible after treatmentIf not seeded within six to eight hours, seed must be re-inoculated

So-Fast Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

lentil, pea peat granular apply in-furrow

So-Fast Nitrogen inoculantRhizobium leguminosarum (biovar viceae)

lentil, pea sterile peat seed within four to six hours of treatmentIf not seeded within 24 hours, seed must be re-inoculated

So-Fast Nitrogen inoculant Rhizobium sp. (Cicer) chickpeas granular (spherical) apply in-furrow

So-Fast N/T Nitrogen inoculantBradyrhizobium japonicum + Bacillus subtilis

soybeans sterile peat seed as soon as possible after treatmentIf not seeded within 24 hours, seed must be re-inoculated

TagTeamPhosphate + rhizobium inoculant

Penicillium bilaii + Rhizobium leguminosarum

lentil, pea peat and granularpeat seed within 48 hours of treatment, granular applly in furrow

See bioag.novozymes.com or contact rep for compatibility and planting window options

TagTeamPhosphate + rhizobium inoculant

Penicillium bilaii + Rhizobium leguminosarum

pea liquid seed within 48 hoursSee bioag.novozymes.com or contact rep for compatibility and planting window options

TagTeamPhosphate + rhizobium inoculant

Penicillium bilaii + Mesorhizo-bium ciceri

chickpeas peat and granularpeat seed within 48 hours of treatment, granular apply in-furrow

See bioag.novozymes.com or contact rep for compatibility and planting window options

TagTeamPhosphate + rhizobium inoculant

Penicillium bilaii + Bradyrhizobium japonicum

soybeanspeat, granular and liquid

peat seed within 48 hours of treatment, granular apply in-furrow, liquid seed within five days

Can apply up to 15 days with liquid using Extender

TagTeamPhosphate + rhizobium inoculant

Penicillium bilaii + Rhizobium phaseoli

dry bean peat seed within 48 hours of treatmentSee bioag.novozymes.com or contact rep for compatibility and planting window options

Important: Top Crop Manager’s Seed Treatment and Inoculants Guide tables are a guide only. It is highly recommended that growers refer to local provincial guides and labels.

inoCUlanTS 2012products Class active ingredient registered crops Formulation planting window additional comments

Innoculant Guide 2012.indd 12 1/31/12 10:44 AM