Continued innovation and a commitment to deliver cost-effective products to UK growers despite the challenges of Brexit and Covid-19, sees Life Scientific launching its first plant growth regulator (PGR), Sudo Mor, this spring.
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.
Life Scientific is able to offer off-patent products to agronomists and growers faster based on the company’s unique scientific concept to reverse engineer a product from the original to produce a product accepted as the same by the regulatory authority.
“Sudo Mor is a cost-effective crop management tool which protects and enhances yield potential, and comes to market at a time when growers are under pressure to scrutinise input costs whilst not compromising yields.” says Ruth Stanley, UK country manager for Life Scientific.
Essential part of spray programme
“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. “
“It is important this potential is managed correctly, which means ensuring lush crops are prevented from lodging.”
There are three key factors that impact lodging risk, she points out.
“Size of the canopy in the spring is a critical indicator of crop development and lodging risk. This can be measured by its green area index (GAI).”
“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,” she says.
“Varieties also have different resistances to lodging; this comes down to differences in height, tillering capacity, stem strength and speed of establishment.”
“Varieties with a score of 7 or less on the AHDB Recommended List should be considered at risk of lodging and should be managed carefully.”
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 also increases the plants 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 joins a long list of products that have recently been brought to market from Life Scientific such as the first off-patent prothioconazole and tebuconazole mixtures Oraso Pro, Esker and fungicide Aurelia.
The Life Scientific team has also been particularly successful at registering EAMU’s for its products such as for its herbicides Niantic and Cintac for use in rye, and its maize herbicide Basilico for use in winter and spring linseed.
Sudo Mor is commercially available through distribution partners, ProCam and Hutchinsons.
More information on any of these products can be downloaded at https://uk.lifescientific.com/#products
For more information on Sudo Mor or any other products in the Life Scientific portfolio please visit the Life Scientific website https://lifescientific.com/products/
