In 2024 Summit Field Research included BiOWiSH, a bacteria based enhanced efficiency fertilizer, in 13 trials. The evaluation produced some very exciting results. The trials compared district practice with and without BiOWiSH. Outcomeswere positive overall, with a few exceptions as seen in Figure 6. BiOWiSH increased canola yield in the Frankland trial by 14% (350kg/ha) and 9% (250kg/ha) at Wandering. There was no benefit on oil % in either of the canola trials. Wheat results were more variable but averaged a 4% yield increase. Mingenew performed best with a yield increase of 18% (450kg), most likely due to the decile 10 season.

Interestingly, in wheat there was always a protein increase, even when there was no yield increase, with all but one trial showing an increase of between 0.5% and 1% (Figure 7).The other had a 0.1% increase

The two barley trials showed no yield advantage. This will need further investigation across seasons, as we suspect a softer spring finish would have led to better barley results. There was a trend suggesting where rainfall was decile 5 or above, there is a positive yield response. Whereas, if the decile is below 5 there is possibly limited potential for the biology to be beneficial.

BiOWiSH is an EEF bacterial product (bacillus sp.) designed to increase grower yields and profitability. This particular bacteria makes use of the rhizophagy cycle, which every plant has, to form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots.
Helping to extract applied nutrients from the soil it increases root biomass and turbo-charges plant growth. A highly compatible product, utilising BiOWiSH doesn’t require any change to the farm program, and can be supplied pre-coated by Summit on fertilizer, or can easily be mixed with UAN o n-farm.

Ideal application is early in-season and positioned as close to the seed as possible. One of the keys to success is maximising the time the bacteria has in the root zone. The bacteria are applied as endospores which remain dormant until the right soil temperature, moisture and amino acids produced by roots are present. BiOWiSH is not crop specific and has been proven internationally to be effective in cereals, canola, legumes, and also horticultural and tree crops. There are no compatibility issues with common agricultural chemicals and BiOWiSH can be coated alongside flutriafol without any reduction in efficacy.

Being a bacteria (vs. fungi) inhabiting the root zone, it is not affected by foliar chemical applications. It has been developed to be resilient, able to endure being coated on urea and mixed with UAN. Growers should note, due to the symbiotic relationship BiOWiSH forms with crop roots, WA’s hot and dry summers do not allow residual biology carryover. Hence, application is required each season. In 2024 Summit Field Research included BiOWiSH, a bacteria based enhanced efficiency fertilizer, in 13 trials. The evaluation produced some very exciting results.

The trials compared district practice with and without BiOWiSH. Outcomes were positive overall, with a few exceptions as seen in Figure 6. BiOWiSH increased canola yield in the Frankland trial by 14% (350kg/ha) and 9% (250kg/ha) at Wandering. There was no benefit on oil % in either of the canola trials. Wheat results were more variable but averaged a 4% yield increase. Mingenew performed best with a yield increase of 18% (450kg), most likely due to the decile 10 season. Interestingly, in wheat there was always a protein increase, even when there was no yield increase, with all but one trial showing an increase of between 0.5% and 1% (Figure 7).

How it works:
1. BiOWiSH is coated onto granules or mixed with liquid fertilizer. Once in the soil it populates around the plant roots (rhizosphere). The endospores break dormancy under the correct combination of moisture, soil temperatures andplant root exudates.
2. The bacteria consume nutrients, then travel through symbiotic pathways into plant root tips.
3. The plant harvests soil nutrients from these microbes, then deposits them through root tips back into the soil and the cycle repeats.

For more information on BiOWiSH, trial data and it’s applications, please contact your Local Area Manager