Agronomic Insights, Seed
Latest Research from the WinField United Innovation Center
With farming being more data-driven than ever, having quality information to base decisions on is crucial for success. That's where the WinField United Innovation Center comes in. With cutting-edge systems and advanced research methods, the Innovation Center has the tools and expertise to deliver valuable insights about plant growth, crop management and even the role of new agricultural inputs. Here’s a peek at some of the team’s latest research.
Here at the Innovation Center, we have access to an image-based phenotyping system that uses advanced imaging technology to capture detailed 3-D renderings of plants in a controlled greenhouse setting. This system allows us to measure plant growth with incredible precision, offering insights into how various agricultural inputs may impact plants, even under different stress conditions. This technology can capture slight differences in plant growth that would otherwise be impossible to detect, especially in a field environment. With this information, we can fine-tune product formulations, find the impact of tank-mix partners, recommend the best management practices for particular products and test overall product efficacy.
Another interesting finding was that less water was used after adding InterLock adjuvant to the herbicide tank mix, likely due to reduced weed competition. This could potentially save up to 11 gallons of water per acre per day in fields with heavy weed pressure.1 This is a critical consideration for farmers managing water usage during drought-prone seasons and a measurement that wouldn’t have been quantified without the technological advancements at the Innovation Center.
This research translates to a more cost-effective way to combat weeds, especially in tough conditions. With Class Act NG adjuvant, you can get more bang for your buck, as the herbicide works harder and delivers more consistent results.
In field trials, combining Altipro fungicide and MasterLock adjuvant resulted in nearly a six-bushel per acre increase in corn yields compared to using Altipro alone.2 In controlled greenhouse trials, we found disease severity dropped significantly 14 days after application, showing the added benefit of MasterLock adjuvant in helping the fungicide work more effectively.1 We also observed plant biomass increased when Altipro was combined with MasterLock.1 These findings reinforce the importance of not only using the right products but using them in combination.
Additionally, the team is working to refine its ability to validate product formulations and evaluate product performance before new products hit the market. This ensures new WinField United products can withstand real-world conditions and are backed by rigorous data to support performance.
1 Based on Innovation Center research in 2024.
2 Based on WinField United field trials.
All photos are either the property of WinField United or used with permission.
© 2024 WinField United. Important: Before use always read and follow label instructions. Crop performance is dependent on several factors many of which are beyond the control of WinField United, including without limitation, soil type, pest pressures, agronomic practices and weather conditions. Growers are encouraged to consider data from multiple locations, over multiple years and to be mindful of how such agronomic conditions could impact results. Altipro, Class Act NG, CornerStone, InterLock, MasterLock and WinField are trademarks of WinField United. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Precise Plant Phenotyping
Plant phenotyping involves measuring and analyzing the physical and physiological characteristics of plants in response to environmental factors, genetic makeup, and agricultural treatments. Historically, phenotyping has required intense manual labor, but new technologies have enabled high-throughput imaging to generate data faster.Here at the Innovation Center, we have access to an image-based phenotyping system that uses advanced imaging technology to capture detailed 3-D renderings of plants in a controlled greenhouse setting. This system allows us to measure plant growth with incredible precision, offering insights into how various agricultural inputs may impact plants, even under different stress conditions. This technology can capture slight differences in plant growth that would otherwise be impossible to detect, especially in a field environment. With this information, we can fine-tune product formulations, find the impact of tank-mix partners, recommend the best management practices for particular products and test overall product efficacy.
Evaluating InterLock® Adjuvant Performance
One of the most exciting aspects of this phenotyping system is its ability to quantify the effects of agricultural products. For example, this past summer, the team tested the performance of InterLock adjuvant with Cornerstone® 5 Plus herbicide in the system. The results were promising: the addition of InterLock adjuvant showed a 20% reduction in the size of velvetleaf weeds, and their leaf areas were reduced by 26%, compared to glyphosate alone, indicating more effective weed control.1Another interesting finding was that less water was used after adding InterLock adjuvant to the herbicide tank mix, likely due to reduced weed competition. This could potentially save up to 11 gallons of water per acre per day in fields with heavy weed pressure.1 This is a critical consideration for farmers managing water usage during drought-prone seasons and a measurement that wouldn’t have been quantified without the technological advancements at the Innovation Center.
Increased Glufosinate Efficacy with Class Act® NG® Adjuvant
In another recent study, Innovation Center scientists found Class Act NG adjuvant significantly improved the uptake of Liberty® herbicide. This means the herbicide can be more efficiently absorbed by the plant, providing better weed control and potentially reducing the need for additional applications.This research translates to a more cost-effective way to combat weeds, especially in tough conditions. With Class Act NG adjuvant, you can get more bang for your buck, as the herbicide works harder and delivers more consistent results.
A Winning Combination: Altipro™ Fungicide + MasterLock® Adjuvant
Recently, WinField United launched Altipro fungicide, a dual mode-of-action product that controls a broad spectrum of crop diseases in corn, soybeans and peanuts. MasterLock adjuvant seemed like an obvious tank-mix partner for Altipro, but we wanted to run trials to test performance.In field trials, combining Altipro fungicide and MasterLock adjuvant resulted in nearly a six-bushel per acre increase in corn yields compared to using Altipro alone.2 In controlled greenhouse trials, we found disease severity dropped significantly 14 days after application, showing the added benefit of MasterLock adjuvant in helping the fungicide work more effectively.1 We also observed plant biomass increased when Altipro was combined with MasterLock.1 These findings reinforce the importance of not only using the right products but using them in combination.
Upcoming Research Focus
We’ve had a busy year but are excited to expand our research in 2025. The focus for the upcoming year is on enhancing the phenotyping system to provide even more robust information on biological products and stress-mitigating solutions. In particular, the team is focused on drought stress and how products can help mitigate the effects of water shortages on crops.Additionally, the team is working to refine its ability to validate product formulations and evaluate product performance before new products hit the market. This ensures new WinField United products can withstand real-world conditions and are backed by rigorous data to support performance.
Supporting Retailers and Growers with Data-Driven Insights
The work coming out of the Innovation Center isn't just about science for science's sake. It’s about applying science to real world problems farmers face. We encourage you and your retailer to utilize the center’s resources. We offer Innovation Center tours throughout the year, where you can get an up-close look at the research we’re conducting. Contact your WinField United retailer to stay up to date on the latest research coming from the Innovation Center.1 Based on Innovation Center research in 2024.
2 Based on WinField United field trials.
All photos are either the property of WinField United or used with permission.
© 2024 WinField United. Important: Before use always read and follow label instructions. Crop performance is dependent on several factors many of which are beyond the control of WinField United, including without limitation, soil type, pest pressures, agronomic practices and weather conditions. Growers are encouraged to consider data from multiple locations, over multiple years and to be mindful of how such agronomic conditions could impact results. Altipro, Class Act NG, CornerStone, InterLock, MasterLock and WinField are trademarks of WinField United. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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