Life Scientific is launching its first plant growth regulator (PGR), Sudo Mor, this spring, as companies continue to overcome the challenges presented to UK growers presented by Covid-19 and Brexit.
Sudo Mor contains 250g/l trinexapac ethyl and is a PGR registered for use on all varieties of winter and spring wheat, barley, oats, rye, triticale and ryegrass seed crops. Manufactured by off-patent manufacturers Life Scientific, Sudo Mor is a reverse-engineered formulation of its reference product Moddus.
“PGR’s will be an essential part of the spray programme this spring; we had a kind autumn, crops went in well and so far, the winter has been kind, so crops are coming into the spring growth period looking lush, forward and full of potential,“ said Ruth Stanley, the UK country manager for Life Scientific.
She added: “The best way to achieve a stable high yielding crop potential, in the lusher forward crops is to establish a good base. Like good building design, foundations are key to a stable structure, so early PGR’s and a continued programme of PGR’s will give the best chance to maintain a standing crop through the season.”
“Remember a higher yielding crop will produce heavier ears. Heavy ears put weight on the stem so the higher the yield potential the greater the risk. Estimates are for every extra tonne over 9t/ha, lodging resistance Is reduced by 0.5 points,” Ms Stanley said.
So how does Sudo Mor work?
Plants need to be actively growing to metabolise Sudo Mor; as a contact acting PGR, Sudo Mor, inhibits the production of gibberellic acid and shortens the internodes, reducing lodging on cereals and grasses, and has a wide application window, from growth stage 30-39 (in winter cereals).
When used at GS30, Sudo Mor helps root development and increase root plate diameter. This prevents lodging and increases the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
Early use will also hold back and thicken the main stem, encouraging side tillers and even up the crop. By temporarily reducing the rate of stem extension with a PGR, such as Sudo Mor, it means more of the plant resources can be diverted to thickening the stems and promoting root growth.
Sudo Mor is commercially available through distribution partners, ProCam and Hutchinsons.