Pest pressure is one of the most common stressors that impacts prairie crops year after year. If you’re thinking ahead into how best to prepare your fields for the upcoming growing season, you may have heard about jasmonic acid (JA). JA can offer a formidable defense response during formative, early crop growth stages.
Join us here at Norstar Agriculture as we delve into the fascinating world of jasmonic acid, what it can potentially do for your fields, and how OMEX fertilizer products can fit into your crop program. We’re your local agronomy experts, helping farmers from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba revitalize their fields with science-backed solutions. Read on to learn more.
What Does Jasmonic Acid Do?
Jasmonic acid (JA) is a naturally occurring hormone commonly found in many plants, including many popular prairie crops such as wheat, barley, peas, potatoes, and canola. It was originally identified and isolated in jasmine in 1957 by several Swiss scientists, hence the name.
JA primes a plant to better activate its defense mechanisms. Once these defense pathways are activated, jasmonic acid binds to its receptors. Once this is complete, the plant can take several defensive steps to protect itself during periods of high stress, particularly insect pressure and physical damage. A healthy, sufficient level of JA can be responsible for enhanced failsafes such as thickening leaf tissue, introducing bitter-tasting compounds, and reinforcing cell walls.
Should I Use Jasmonic Acid?
Depending on the field and situation, jasmonic acid can be a highly beneficial option for farmers looking to bolster their crops’ resilience when needed most. That said, it may not be the best fit in every situation.
JA may be beneficial if:
- It’s early in the growing season
- You want an addition to your repertoire
- Your fields have a history of early pest pressure
JA may not be the best choice if:
- You’re seeking a fully fledged pesticide
- You want a standalone solution
- It’s past the early growth stage of the season
- You’re seeking season-long protection from pests
For farmers, jasmonic acid is typically most worth considering during seasons with early pest pressure. While it can be highly beneficial for prairie fields, jasmonic acid is not a do-it-all pest input. Jasmonic acid is most effective when used as part of a broader crop management program. This generally includes field techniques such as strategic crop rotation, proactive monitoring, and integrated pest management (IPM). While jasmonic acid helps bolster natural defences early in the season, it’s not a replacement for comprehensive, protective crop measures.
Before implementing it into your current field maintenance routine, we recommend contacting a professional agronomist to help you determine whether jasmonic acid will be a meaningful addition to your crop management program.
Introducing StimPro JA, A Jasmonic Acid Supplement
Norstar Agriculture is a licensed dealer of OMEX fertilizer products, designed for the Canadian prairies. OMEX’s StimPro JA is the flagship jasmonic acid product, formulated with 0.025% jasmonic acid. StimPro JA is designed to be applied early on in your crop’s growing cycle to bolster stressor resistance and overall field resilience.
Depending on your field concerns, OMEX fertilizer jasmonic acid may also be used alongside many insecticides and fungicides (depending on label directions). StimPro JA can be applied in several ways, including as a foliar spray, a soil drench, or through fertigation systems. A professional agronomist can help determine the most efficient application method based on your concerns and field goals.
Get Rooted in Better Results with Norstar
Jasmonic acid can be a powerful crop input—but that doesn’t mean it’s right for every field. That’s where Norstar Agriculture comes in, with agronomy support tailored to your fields. Reach out to book your consultation today, and have one of our professional agronomists come to your fields to help you identify, adapt, and revitalize your fields in time for the growing season.
