Seeds are often planted into hostile environments. Soil can be cold, wet or dry, which can hurt germination and seedling vigor.
Abivium, a new CHS seed lubricant product containing biostimulants and micronutrients, improves planting efficiency, bolsters plant health and protects seedlings from harsh conditions.
Steve Carlsen, director of proprietary products with CHS, says interest in biostimulants to boost crop yields is strong, noting feedback from growers to CHS agronomists and a 2023 Stratus Ag Research survey indicating that more than 70% of farmers already consider biostimulants a valuable part of their operation or are open to trying them.
Biostimulants spur photosynthesis and carbohydrate production, strengthen cell walls and membranes of seedlings and protect young plants from oxygen stress. Micronutrients support season-long plant development.
Bolster crop development
To satisfy customer demand for an effective, easy-to-use and affordable biostimulant, CHS researchers spent two years testing multiple product concepts. Abivium is the result of that stringent process.
“Abivium checks all the boxes,” Carlsen says. “Mitigating bad days during early crop development is where this product really shines.”
Abivium contains talc and graphite to improve seed flow and planting accuracy by reducing seed bridging and static electricity. It also includes biostimulants – metabolites and antioxidants – and essential micronutrients, including calcium, sulfur, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.
McKenzie Smith, a regional product lead with CHS, says Abivium offers extra reassurance regarding return on investments in equipment and inputs. “Abivium another tool to help reach your agronomic and economic goals.”
Testing at the CHS Crop Science Research and Development Center and in field trials showed Abivium spurs root development. “There were significantly more forks and tips in the roots of young plants treated with Abivium compared to untreated plants,” says Carlsen. “Anything you can do to increase access to nutrients and moisture will help deliver better results.”
Economical and easy to use
Application rate and cost vary by crop. Corn generally requires 1 pound of Abivium per 10 acres at a cost of $3 per acre. Since it doesn’t contain living organisms, Abivium has excellent stability during storage.
Abivium is available in 5-pound jugs and 25-pound pails. It can be applied directly to more than a dozen different types of seed, including corn, soybeans and wheat. It’s certified for organic use.
“When compared to other biostimulants and micronutrients, Abivium is an easy, economical way to begin using biostumulants,” says Carlsen. “Simply sprinkle it over seed in planter boxes, the central fill bin or seed tender. It can’t get much easier.”
Learn more about Abivium.
