Don’t Let the Cold Snap Your Residue
Posted on October 28, 2020
As cold temperatures near, concern about whether it is too late to apply Bio Reverse™ rises. Bio Reverse is a residue management product that utilizes bacteria to encourage stalk degradation over the winter months.
Bio Reverse is a robust microbial package that is resilient to the cold temperatures that render other residue management programs ineffective. The biological strains in Bio Reverse continue to colonize residue and release cellulose- and lignin-eating enzymes until temperatures consistently dip below 15°F. Once temperatures are below 15°F, the microbes move deeper into the soil and become dormant to survive the winter. The microbes in Bio Reverse can survive in temperatures down to -25°F for a significant period before the chance of being harmed.
Bio Reverse contains a significant number of colony forming units (CFUs) when applied. These CFUs can grow and be very effective, even as temperatures drop during the winter months. During warm up periods in the fall or winter, the microbes will become more active and multiply in population. This increase in activity and population will maximize stalk decomposition prior to planting in the spring. Snow cover during the winter months will allow the microbes to remain active for a longer period because it acts as a blanket to the microbe population. The combination of these factors sets the stage for significant activity once spring arrives.
If the temperature drops below 15°F consistently, the microbes will go into spore form, which is a type of hibernation. This protects the microbes from damage, and they will be active again once the temperature begins to rise.
In summary, it is never too late in the fall or early winter to apply Bio Reverse for a stalk degradation program. Microbial activity can continue, even slowly, to set the stage for significant breakdown during the warmer winter days and for the spring warm up. The microbes in Bio Reverse will unlock plant-available nutrients by releasing enzymes and actively working all winter long.
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