“The main objective that Stoller has is crop productivity. We’re interested in enhancing yields,” said Dr. Albert Liptay, the Director of Research and Development with StollerUSA, during an interview with me at the Ag Associates Conference this week. “We’re trying to understand what in the system of productivity will enhance yields.”
Yield enhancements was one of the focuses during the week-long conference for good reason – yield enhancements mean more profits. To improve yield, StollerUSA has been researching a new product called STO-01 which in early tests is seeing substantial results. While Dr. Liptay was enthusiastic to share his results, he also cautioned that the product was still being tested and it would be several more years and many more tests before it would be ready for market.
Dr. Liptay explained that STO-01 not only builds incredible root systems, but also builds strong root tips. “It’s the root tips that a lot of the hormones are synthesized that are sent up to the shoots and develop branching, develop fruits and develop seeds. So it’s this whole plant combination of good roots, good root tips, good type of branching, and good canopy performance that gives us the enhanced yield.”
Plants are regulated by the control systems they have, explained Dr. Liptay, and the control systems are basically the root tips and the shoot tips. “These systems are regulated by molecules that activate gene expression and it’s this gene expression that is important to us and what combination of molecules and minerals best effect the desired type of gene expression for productivity. Therefore, product quality and also pest tolerance.”
He also mentioned the importance of understanding epigenetics and learning how to turn on the set of genes that will get the desired result.
To learn more about the importance of root tips, shoot tips and epigenetics for yield enhancements, listen to my interview with Dr. Liptay below.