Teprosyn Seed Treatment - Indian Trials Summary
India Centre for Agriculture Research
Following extensive work across India from 1999 - 2001, the final results of the formal trials on Teprosyn have been released by the auspicious India Centre for Agriculture Research. The work was undertaken through the All India Coordinated Research Project on Micro and Secondary Nutrients in Soils and Plants.
A variety of information from the trials programme have been made available from the work over the past few months - all confirming that Teprosyn is a cost effective application technique for micro nutrients, complementing existing methods of counteracting deficiencies.
Trial Summary and Observations
The study was undertaken in six of the principal agricultural states in India, over three years, on maize, rice, sunflower, pulses and groundnut crops, testing with Teprosyn Zinc, Teprosyn Zinc with Phosphorous, Teprosyn Molybdenum and Teprosyn Manganese.
In outline, it noted:
"Results showed that (Teprosyn) seed treatment did not show any adverse effect on germination on either crop. It improved germination and establishment of seedlings of all crops..."
"The (Teprosyn) seed treatment with Zn, with or without P, appreciably increased the seed yield of maize, rice, sunflower, green gram, and soybean. The magnitude of the response ranged from 50 - 500 kg/ha"
(NB - Typical India crop yields are often appreciably lower than yields elsewhere - something Teprosyn is clearly starting to address).
Trial Conclusion
The report concluded:
"Seed coating with micronutrients would show unique advantage of providing a cost effective application technique than soil application. It complements existing methods of counteracting deficiencies and provides an opportunity to enhance fertiliser use efficiency and micronutrient application where traditional methods are not practiced, although the need for treatment exists."
The work validates all the known benefits of the use of Teprosyn - and re-confirms it as a valid, economic and useful input.
Author: Chris Johnson, India
Published: November 2001