Published on 07/12/2022
Mike Goodwin, central South Island regional manager, says the aptly named product has been a godsend for growers growing brassicas (including oilseed rape), peas and beans for seed.
Pod-lock is a unique latex polymer blend adjuvant specifically developed to dramatically reduce the quantity of seed shed from seed pods, which split before and during harvest. Keeping a greater number of seed-pods full through to harvest not only maximises yield, it means fewer volunteer plants the following season and cleaner paddocks.
High value brassica, pea, and bean seed crops are particularly susceptible to shedding, also known as shattering.
This naturally occurring process can be exacerbated by the weather and harvesting itself. Rain followed by the dry heat, typical of New Zealand’s seed growing regions, is a major contributor. Goodwin says Pod-lock is more than paying for itself with demonstrated ROIs of between 50 and 60%.
“Seed shedding can be really costly. Using Pod-lock, you just don’t get those big seed losses.”
Seed losses as a result of split pods of 10-25 per cent are common. In more extreme examples, losses of up to 70 per cent have occurred.
Trials in the UK (where the product is marketed as Podstik) have shown a 200-500kg/ha seed saving when the product is used.
“When you’re looking at a crop yielding 4 t/ha, that’s significant.”
Used in co-ordination with desiccants, Goodwin says Pod-lock can also give growers greater ability to coordinate harvesting around weather events and select the best conditions without fear of compromising yield.
The product does not impact plant senescence and has no adverse effects on seed maturity or seed quality.
It can be applied between BBCH 80 (when pods are still green and bendy) through to BBCH 89 (when pods are fully ripe, and seeds have hardened), and can be mixed with a range of commonly used desiccants including glyphosate.
Pod-lock doesn’t translocate within the plant but sticks where it lands. As it has no active, it has no residue limit, being broken down naturally over time by weathering and sunlight. The adjuvant’s specialised polymer blend works by forming a pliable netting that dries on the pod, creating a seal that helps keep the pod intact and strengthens the pod wall itself.
Pod-lock looks set to have an even great-er role to play in the future. With increasingly hot and dry summer conditions expected globally, pod sealers may make an important contribution to increasing worldwide food security and protecting seed resources.
For more detail talk to your local UPL NZ regional manager.