3rd Party Trials conducted from 2018 – 2022. Data summary does not include internal trial data.
Testing Sites: 20/20 Seed Labs Inc., Winnipeg, MB, New Era Ag Research, Swan River, MB, SGS labs, Sherwood Park, AB.
Methods: Germination mats. Tests at New Era Ag conducted with both germination mats and in-soil. In-soil tests were conducted to determine emergence rates.
Left: Grower Standard. Right: EcoTea™ Seed Dressing.
Liquid Seed Dressing Data Summary
Germination Summary
Germination Effect: 86% of tests improved germination percentage by 1% - 14% depending on original seed quality. Hard Spring Wheat, Oats and Corn showed strongest responses.
Cold Vigour Summary (Germination below 10° C)
Germination Summary
Seeds Lots Tested: Field Peas, Hard Spring Wheat, Barley, Oats, Corn.
Germination Effect: 75% of tests improved cold vigour percentage by 6% - 9% depending on original seed quality. All crops showed a strong response.
EcoTea™ Seed Dressing on spring wheat. Left photo is non-treated; Right photo is treated with EcoTea™ Seed Dressing.
Dry Seed Dressing Data Summary
Germination Summary
Seed Lots Tested: Hard Spring Wheat, Flax, Soybeans, Oats, Field Peas, Canola, Corn, Hemp, Mix Forage Seed.
Germination Effect: 87% of tests improved germination percentage by 1% - 5% depending on original seed quality. Flax, Soybeans and Hemp showed strongest responses.
Cold Vigour Summary (Germination below 10° C)
Germination Summary
Seeds Lots Tested: Hard Spring Wheat, Flax, Soybeans, Oats, Canola, Field Peas, Corn, Mixed Forage Seed.
Germination Effect: 67% of tests improved cold vigour percentage by 1% - 12% depending on original seed quality. Flax, Hard Spring Wheat, and Mixed Forage Seed showed strongest responses.
Germination and Cold Vigour
Our work looking at germination and cold vigour was focused on the ability of diverse community microbes to form symbiotic relationships with plants, providing direct support to plant growth and development. Some specific species within the community grow their populations by providing different forms of growth promoting substances to the plants in exchange for exudates from plant roots. DNA testing and taxonomy shows EcoTea™ provides a wide range of species within this functional group filling varies niches.
The hypothesis of this work revolved around crop emergence and the impact broad spectrum biology can have at this critical stage. The relationship these species have with the plant roots, improving growth and reducing abiotic stress, should directly impact germination rates and more successful cold vigour.
Our trials have been conducted in association with multiple seed labs across Canada. A variety of crops were tested including peas, oats, soybeans, wheat, canola, and hemp. The results confirmed the ability of a biodiverse community of microbes to make a difference during the early stages of growth.
Over all tests, there was a measurable increase in germination rates, and the ability to withstand unexpected cold conditions versus the untreated checks. One month post planting for in ground plots, replicated data has shown increased plant counts.
Proven benefit: The broad-spectrum biology in EcoTea™ can improve germination and cold vigour results in a critical window where every day counts.
