JumpStart is a phosphate inoculant containing the naturally occurring soil fungus Penicillium bilaii (P. bilaii), discovered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It colonizes (grows along) plant roots, releasing organic compounds that in turn release the “bound” mineral forms of less available soil and fertilizer phosphate, making it immediately available for the crop to use.
- JumpStart results are greatest in soils with lower levels of available phosphate such as a high clay soil
- JumpStart works at low soil temperatures when phosphate availability is normally limited
- Under dry soil conditions, crops can have a greater response to increases in available phosphate levels. JumpStart has shown to increase root growth by an average of 30%, resulting in better stress tolerance
- JumpStart can work in soils within a wide pH range. It is the level of available phosphate that affects the benefit of JumpStart rather than soil pH
- JumpStart can reduce the amount of P fertilizer required, depending on levels of available phosphate within the soil.
JumpStart is registered on:
- canola
- winter and spring wheat
- pea
- lentil
- chickpea
- dry bean
- soybean
- alfalfa
- sweet clover
- mustard
JumpStart is a wettable powder that is mixed into water and applied to the seed as a liquid. Once JumpStart is mixed into the water, apply to the seed within 24 hours.
Unlike nitrogen inoculants, JumpStart is not crop specific. JumpStart colonizes (grows along) the root system rather than infecting the root, so you do not have to worry about purchasing a specific type of JumpStart for a specific crop.