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Maxstim: supporting food security through evidence-based biostimulant innovation
Dr. Richard Salvage, Managing Director, MaxstimPotato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important agricultural crops, making a significant contribution to global food security. This is mainly due to its relative ease of production and high yield potential. Potato cultivation spans 17.6 million hectares and produces 365 million tonnes of tubers, with 80% of the crop grown in Europe and Asia.
Abiotic stress, in particular drought, salinity and extreme temperatures, is the primary cause of crop loss worldwide. These stresses are expected to have an increasingly negative impact, raising serious concerns for crop productivity and food security. To help address this, biostimulants have been identified as one of the most promising and efficient tools for sustaining crop yields. Increasing soil nutrient availability and nutrient use efficiency is fundamental to sustainable potato production. It helps avoid excessive use of external inputs while maintaining crop performance. Farmers must operate profitable and sustainable production systems. Therefore, economic gain must accompany any additional input such as biostimulants. It is vital to determine the optimum application method and timing of complex biostimulants to optimise production and achieve the best quality outcomes.
The use of complex biostimulants on potatoes has been assessed in controlled conditions, where yield increases were demonstrated. Several container trials showed a significant increase in potato yield. However, these results must be replicated in real-world field conditions, where risks vary across soil types, potato varieties and climate. Farmers need evidence that new inputs can justify increased costs and the resources required to change established best practice. Maxstim’s flavonoid-based complex biostimulants show huge promise but require field verification. Farmers need clarity on the precise volume, dilution, application method and timing required to optimise crop yields.
The initial controlled trials involved a limited number of potato varieties. The subsequent field trials had to expose Maxstim complex biostimulants to a much wider range to demonstrate their broad potential to increase yield. Various application methods were tested to determine the most effective.
Three treatment protocols were implemented:
1.Sprayed into the furrow at planting
2.Injected with clear liquid starter fertiliser at planting
3.Applied pre-crop emergence on the ridges with conventional spraying
The following data was recorded at harvest:
1.Potato plant numbers
2.Potato stem numbers
3.Number of potatoes in grades >85mm to >20mm
4.Potato weight in grades >85mm to >20mm
5.Potato dry matter across all grades
6.Potato starch percentage across all grades
7.Skin finish analysis
Sixteen different potato varieties were trialled across 15 sites with varied soil types. The trials produced an average yield increase of 7.24% and a 2% increase in dry matter. Importantly, the biostimulants showed an effect across all varieties and most significantly improved skin finish and crop quality.
Agriculture continues to face challenges from climate change, reduced availability of agrochemicals and rising fertiliser costs. To maintain food supply and food security, alternative inputs must be developed. But how and when should we apply them? Will they work across different soil types and crop varieties? Will they reliably increase yield and improve abiotic stress management? Do complex flavonoid-based biostimulants improve farmers' economic positions and encourage continued food production over alternative land uses?
Because these advanced inputs are not yet widely understood by farmers and growers, they need clear guidance on how to use them and confidence that they will perform across varied conditions. Farmers face uncertainty and need robust data to make informed decisions about the future of their farms. Any competent professional agronomist knows that all these unknowns must be addressed through large-scale, multi-protocol field trials.
This project was a significant undertaking. Coordinating farmers, equipment and personnel throughout a full season posed many challenges. Weather conditions were a constant concern - would the harvest be good, what would disease pressure be like? Heavy, persistent rain early in the season caused late planting. Existing equipment had to be adapted so that, for some trials, the biostimulant could be injected into the furrow during planting.
To ensure high quality data, both treatment and data collection protocols had to be carefully designed and clearly communicated to all participants. Collecting data across multiple sites, soil types and application methods guaranteed that the results would be statistically relevant regardless of outcome. Detailed analysis was conducted on six pairs of randomly selected plots from both treated and untreated control sections in every field.
All uncertainties were addressed through rigorous planning, communication and the sheer volume of data collected. Ultimately, the results showed significant increases in yield and quality across a wide range of crop varieties and soil types.
Applying a Chi-squared statistical test to the data revealed a 99.98% probability that the flavonoid-rich Maxstim treatment protocol is effective.
1.Potato plant numbers
2.Potato stem numbers
3.Number of potatoes in grades >85mm to >20mm
4.Potato weight in grades >85mm to >20mm
5.Potato dry matter across all grades
6.Potato starch percentage across all grades
7.Skin finish analysis
Sixteen different potato varieties were trialled across 15 sites with varied soil types. The trials produced an average yield increase of 7.24% and a 2% increase in dry matter. Importantly, the biostimulants showed an effect across all varieties and most significantly improved skin finish and crop quality.
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At Maxstim, our mission is to support food security through science. By delivering field-proven, flavonoid-based biostimulants, we help growers boost yields, improve quality and farm more sustainably. With robust data and real-world results, we give farmers the confidence to evolve their practices and thrive in a changing climate
Agriculture continues to face challenges from climate change, reduced availability of agrochemicals and rising fertiliser costs. To maintain food supply and food security, alternative inputs must be developed. But how and when should we apply them? Will they work across different soil types and crop varieties? Will they reliably increase yield and improve abiotic stress management? Do complex flavonoid-based biostimulants improve farmers' economic positions and encourage continued food production over alternative land uses?
Because these advanced inputs are not yet widely understood by farmers and growers, they need clear guidance on how to use them and confidence that they will perform across varied conditions. Farmers face uncertainty and need robust data to make informed decisions about the future of their farms. Any competent professional agronomist knows that all these unknowns must be addressed through large-scale, multi-protocol field trials.
This project was a significant undertaking. Coordinating farmers, equipment and personnel throughout a full season posed many challenges. Weather conditions were a constant concern - would the harvest be good, what would disease pressure be like? Heavy, persistent rain early in the season caused late planting. Existing equipment had to be adapted so that, for some trials, the biostimulant could be injected into the furrow during planting.
To ensure high quality data, both treatment and data collection protocols had to be carefully designed and clearly communicated to all participants. Collecting data across multiple sites, soil types and application methods guaranteed that the results would be statistically relevant regardless of outcome. Detailed analysis was conducted on six pairs of randomly selected plots from both treated and untreated control sections in every field.
All uncertainties were addressed through rigorous planning, communication and the sheer volume of data collected. Ultimately, the results showed significant increases in yield and quality across a wide range of crop varieties and soil types.
Applying a Chi-squared statistical test to the data revealed a 99.98% probability that the flavonoid-rich Maxstim treatment protocol is effective.
