The Use of Non-traditional Materials for Crop Production

Each year, there are products being sold in the market place making claims of increased yields. The North Central Regional – 103 Committee of the American Society of Agronomy are scientists that share, report and maintain a database of various non-traditional products to inform growers of university research. The database can be researched to determine if there is any scientific value to a particular product.
The bottom-line is if a product sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Often product claims are made to dramatically increase yields by providing additional nutrients, improving soil tilth, or other claims. Many products have been tested by Universities and these will not continue to be repeated if we have data.
Secondly, look for unbiased research results. Many products are tested in land-grant universities to determine if there is potential value. Scientific data is different from marketing data. Scientific data uses replications, randomization and statistics to analyze data. Product literature generally is used to sell product.
Next, try the product on a limited acreage in a simple comparison test that can be measured. We would recommend you use strips and replicate these. Splitting a field is poor way to determine yield differences as the variability of the field may influence yields.
Extension specialists generally do not recommend products or practices that do not have a high degree of predictability or repeatability.
If you want to find this information, the “Compendium of Research Reports on the Use of Non-Traditional Materials for Crop Production” is on the web. The report is quite large.
For more information, contact Wayne Flanary at 660-446-3724 or Heather Benedict at 660-425-6434, Regional Agronomists, University of Missouri Extension.