ISSUE 35: 2017

Wolf Trax™ DDP® Nutrients Increase Yields in Rwanda Part 1: Maize

Wolf Trax DDP Nutrientsfeature three proprietarytechnologies that ensureeffective delivery of nutrition:

EvenCoatTM

Technology

Fertilizer coating technologyallows for blanket-likedistribution and more points ofinterception for young roots.

PlantActivTM

Formulation

Physically and chemicallydesigned – the Wolf Trax DDPparticle size is optimum forplant uptake.

Wolf Trax Innovative Nutrients are unique, research-tested and field-proven micronutrient and secondary nutrientfertilizers. By making nutrients more accessible to plants when they are needed most, Wolf Trax products simplifynutrient management, boost crop performance and enhance the return on farmers’ fertilizer investment.

wolftrax.com

DUAL ACTIONTM

Each DDP Nutrient is formulated with atleast two forms of the mineral, providingimmediate nutrient uptake as well asextended feeding over time.

In 2015, a multi-site, replicated field trial was conducted in Rwanda to

evaluate the performance of Wolf Trax DDP Nutrients as part of an early

season fertiliser program for maize production. Alternate micronutrient

strategies were also implemented for comparison purposes. Under the conditions

of this study, application of Wolf Trax DDPs resulted in significantly higher maize

yields than the current fertiliser practice or granular micronutrients and was

comparable to the foliar micronutrient strategy.

BACKGROUNDSoil fertility is often a limiting factor in crop production throughout Rwanda due to

erosion and parent material that is inherently low in nutrient content, and soils often

require high levels of soil amendments in order to optimize crop production. Interest

in application of micronutrient fertilisers to complement current fertiliser practices has

increased in recent years. The purpose of this series of trials is to compare different

micronutrient fertiliser strategies in three crops throughout Rwanda: maize,

beans and wheat.

Wolf Trax DDP (Dry Dispersible Powder) Nutrients are micronutrient fertilisers that

feature EvenCoat™ Technology. By coating each granule of the fertiliser blend, DDP

Nutrients can be placed closer to the roots for easier access and earlier availability.

EvenCoat Technology allows dealers to better serve farmer customers by providing

customized ratios of micronutrients to suit individual fields. In addition to improved

field distribution, Wolf Trax DDP Nutrients also feature the patented PlantActiv™

Formulation and are both physically and chemically formulated to resist soil

tie-up for improved plant uptake.

Maize yields with application of Wolf Trax DDPs were significantly higher than the current fertiliser practice or

granular micronutrients and comparable to foliar fertiliser applications. Maize yield with application of Ferticoat

was significantly higher than all other approaches, possibly due to the plant growth stimulant (humic/fulvic/

amino acids/organic stimulants/growth hormones) component of Ferticoat.

SUMMARY

compassminerals.com | 9900 W. 109th St., Suite 100, Overland Park, KS 66210

Copyright © 2017, All Rights Reserved - Compass Minerals Manitoba Inc. Wolf Trax and Design, DDP, EvenCoat and PlantActiv are trademarks of Compass Minerals Manitoba Inc. Compass Minerals is the proud supplier of Wolf Trax Innovative Nutrients. Not all products are registered in all areas.Contact wolftrax@compassminerals.com for more information.

RESULTSAcross all sites, micronutrient treatments

significantly increased yield relative to the

‘Current’ fertiliser practice (Figure 1). Maize

yield decreased significantly in the order

of: Ferticoat > Wolf Trax DDPs = Foliar

Micronutrients > Granular Micronutrients

(Figure 1).

METHODSThis study was conducted by IFDC at forty-three locations with varying soil

properties in four provinces and throughout twenty-two districts in Rwanda.

Maize was planted and maintained according to regional agronomic

practices. The ‘Control’ treatment did not include any fertiliser, the ‘Current’

treatment included 100 kg/ha DAP at planting and a top-dress application

of 50 kg/ha urea, and all micronutrient treatments included the fertilisers

included in the ‘Current’ treatment as well as 400 kg/ha dolomite. Wolf Trax

DDPs and Ferticoat™, a liquid fertiliser that contains plant growth stimulants

derived from humic, fulvic, amino acids, organic stimulants and growth

hormones in addition to Zn, B and Cu, were applied to evenly coat the

granular fertiliser blend and applied at planting (except for Boron DDP,

which was applied with top-dressed urea). Granular micronutrients were

incorporated into the fertiliser blend and foliar fertilisers were applied at

the appropriate timing (Figure 1). Treatments that were intended for

comparison of liming sources were omitted for the purposes of this report.

The crop was taken to yield and data was analyzed using general linear

models (P≤0.10) and treatment values were separated using Fisher’s LSD tests.

2.8

4.5

5.96.2 6.2

6.5

Control Current Granular(Zn, B, Cu)

Foliar(Zn, B, Cu)

DDPs(Zn, B, Cu)

Ferticoat(Zn, B, Cu &

Plant GrowthStimulants)

Mai

ze Y

ield

(ton

/ha)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

bb

d

e

ca

Figure 1. Maize yields under varying micronutrient fertiliser strategies. P=0.0001.

1 Control - - -

2 Current - - -

3 Granular 1.8 0.5 0.3

4 Foliar 0.2 0.2 0.1

5 DDPs 0.4 0.2 0.3

6 Ferticoat 0.5 0.3 0.2

Table 1. Fertiliser Treatments Applied to Maize

Elemental kg/haTrt # Treatment Zinc Boron Copper