Valuable Agronomic Insights in Crop Production & Practice
Agriculture in the twenty-first century will involve not only advanced crop protection, but also significant improvements in three basic components of agronomy:
irrigation
fertilization
crop genetics
These primary factors must be balanced to optimize returns to the grower and minimize long-term impact to the environment. For example, the irrigation practices in the Southwest must consider the current drought conditions and salinization of our agricultural soils. Drip irrigation, soil penetrants, drought tolerant genetics, anti-transpirants, and other emerging technologies are urgently needed if Western agriculture is to remain sustainable. Similarly, fertilizers and concentrated plant nutrients must be developed and applied in a way that complies with regulatory requirements, but still has maximum benefit to the crop.
Through a variety of agronomic instrumentation. In agronomic field trials, Ag Metrics Group scientists make discrete measurements of:
plant growth rates
nutritional status
turgor
chemical composition
disease and insect tolerance
chlorophyll and other pigment concentrations
The genetics of a crop variety determine many of these agronomic characteristics. Through development and testing of advanced genetics, drought tolerance, pest resistance, nutrition, earliness, ease of harvest, and post-harvest management are optimized. These types of data define the agronomic trial management program at Ag Metrics to evaluate plant health and identify best agricultural practices in this constantly changing environment.
Biostimulant Trials
Ag Metrics Group performs tests on biostimulants in several ways. Trials can be run to test claims such as:
Improving resistance to abiotic stress, e.g., drought, nutrient, salinity, etc.
Increased seed germination
Improved root growth
Increased vegetative growth
Increased plant/crop size/yield
Improved crop quality
Improved flower or fruit retention
Photosynthetic activity
Post-harvest crop quality
Trials can be run in hydroponic, greenhouse, or field conditions.
Application methods can be tested (seed treatment, foliar spray, soil application, chemigation, etc.)
Biopesticide Studies
Conditions and Locations
Field testing at field stations and commercial fields
Growth walk-in chambers
Indoor: Greenhouse, protected plots [plastic and net]