After a small-scale distribution last year, 2023 is the year Agro-100 is launching Oligo Prime in a big way, a biostimulant technology built into almost its entire range of foliar fertilizers.
“It strengthens the plant’s natural defences against abiotic stress, improves nutrient uptake and helps reach full yield potential,” explains Pierre Migner, Director of Product Development and Agronomic Training at Agro-100, who has been researching biostimulants for more than 10 years.
Oligo Prime includes four technologies (metabolic signals, C-plex, fulvic acid and chitosan) that interact to stimulate the plant’s natural defence mechanisms.
“First, it improves nutrient efficiency. We make sure nutrients are transported to where the plant needs them. Then, it reduces the effects of abiotic stresses on plants, such as a sudden change in weather, drought, flooding or a herbicide application.”
Pierre Migner gives the example of a herbicide application, which causes significant stress in the plant.
“If we can reduce the impact of this negative stress, we come out ahead at the end of the season. Our research has shown that while it is on the plant, a herbicide can reduce its photosynthesis rate by 50%. During that time, the stomata close and prevent CO₂ from entering the plant. By applying Oligo Prime, we brought that reduction down to 16 to 22%. That’s a significant gain,” says the agronomist, adding that Oligo Prime also reduces the concentration of oxidizing matter when a plant is hit by a hailstorm or a strong gust of wind.
Source: La Terre de chez nous, March 2023 (in French).
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