In a previous edition of Facts On Friday, the trial program for the Boost seed treatment was discussed. Boost seed treatment will now be known commercially as “Bion”. Most of these trials are now into early squaring and we are seeing some encouraging preliminary results.

What is Bion?

Bion is a Syngenta product that ’turns on’ the plants natural defences to combat disease. This is called Systemic Induced Resistance (SIR). Plants have defence mechanisms that can be ‘switched on’ when they come under attack from diseases, pests, hail etc. Bion contains acibenzolar-S-methyl and assists with the control of Fusarium Wilt and Black root rot. We are also examining the effect Bion has on Verticillium Wilt and Alternaria leaf spot.

If a variety is susceptible to a disease, then its defences either aren’t turned on at all or are not turned on quickly enough. This particular product has no direct activity against the plant pathogens but works by turning on the plants natural defences causing the plant to put up its ‘shield’ and it gains some protection to a range of diseases early in the season with effects lasting throughout the season.

Following extensive trial work, the treatment of planting seed was found to be the most economical and practical method of application.

Preliminary Results

The results for initial plant stand counts and root scores are quite encouraging. 

Plant stand establishment has been assessed in 22 of the trials so far. In most of those there is virtually no difference.  In two trials plant stand has been increased by over 30%. In two of the trials there has been a noticeable decrease in plant stand. When all the data from the trials has been collected the results will be subjected to statistical analysis to determine significance.

BLACK ROOT ROT (BRR):   Preliminary results from the 15 BRR sites indicate reduced blackening of the tap roots by an average of 16%. In three of those trials there was 30- 36% reduction in blackening of the tap root. This reduction in the root blackening may be accompanied by better seedling growth and over the next few weeks dry matter weights will be monitored to determine if early season growth has been increased.

FUSARIUM AND VERTICILLIUM WILT: Fusarium Wilt is to be assessed at 14 of the trial sites and Verticillium at 3 sites. These assessments will be done later in the season

It should be stressed that these are only preliminary results. All trials will be assessed for yield at the end of the season.