Locus Agriculture’s Unpac targets soil compaction to support crop performance

Locus Agriculture, based in Solon, Ohio, is expanding the use of Unpac, its glycolipid-based soil conditioner, across row and specialty crop production systems where soil compaction and restricted water movement can limit root development and crop performance.

Soil compaction is a widespread production challenge.

An analysis by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service found growers identified soil compaction as a resource concern on 22% of surveyed wheat, soybean, oat and cotton fields.

Dense, compacted soils can restrict root development and limit a crop’s ability to access available water and nutrients. According to Locus Agriculture, Unpac uses fermentation-derived glycolipid technology to reduce surface tension, helping water penetrate and spread more effectively through the soil profile and create more favorable conditions for root development.

Third-party laboratory testing of Unpac demonstrated reduced soil density across a range of moisture levels in agricultural soils collected from California’s Central Coast and Central Valley. The testing also found improved water penetration through both soil types compared with untreated water.

“Compaction is more than a soil problem. It’s a crop performance problem,” said Dave Dyson, lead agronomist at Locus Agriculture. “When roots encounter dense soil, they have a harder time exploring the soil profile for the water and nutrients the crop needs. Unpac gives growers another tool for improving that root-zone environment.”

Crop applications span production systems

Unpac is being incorporated into production programs across a range of cropping systems, including specialty crops where soil structure and root-zone conditions can significantly affect crop development and, ultimately, yields.

In potato production, Unpac can be applied in-furrow as part of a crop program intended to create a looser growing medium as roots and tubers develop. Locus Agriculture reports yield increases of 10% to 15% from field programs combining Unpac and its microbial technology.

California strawberry growers are also incorporating Unpac into production systems to address soil compaction associated with raised-bed construction. Unpac is applied through drip irrigation beneath plastic-covered beds to improve root-zone conditions. Locus agronomists have reported looser soil conditions and more effective strawberry root penetration.

“Growers already have significant investments in fertility, water and crop protection in every acre,” said Jason McGarrh, vice president of Locus Agriculture. “When compaction restricts the root system, the crop can have a harder time accessing those resources. Improving root-zone conditions gives growers another way to protect the productivity of the inputs they have already paid for.”

A different approach to soil compaction

Unpac is designed to address compaction through soil-water interactions rather than mechanical disturbance. At a field application rate of approximately 4 fluid ounces per acre, the product is designed to reduce surface tension, helping water spread laterally and penetrate more effectively through the soil.

According to Locus Agriculture, improved water movement into soil micropores helps create root-zone conditions that support root penetration and access to available water and nutrients while fitting into existing crop-management programs.

Expanding glycolipid technology in agriculture

Unpac represents one agricultural application of Locus FS’ fermentation-derived glycolipid technology. While Locus Agriculture’s microbial products work through biological activity, glycolipid-based products such as Unpac use functional molecules produced through fermentation to address physical and chemical challenges within crop-production systems.

Locus Agriculture continues to expand its crop-performance portfolio across biologicals, inoculants, foliar products, soil solutions and adjuvants. The company is applying its microbial and fermentation-derived technologies to develop products for root development, nutrient efficiency, soil and water management and spray performance throughout the crop-production cycle.

For more information, contact a representative or visit locusfs.com.

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