PHYTECH FOR CORN
Corn yields are very sensitive to water stress1. The low stress tolerance applies for the entire season and is heightened in the reproductive stage. Research studies quantify each day of water stress in the weeks before and after pollination at 4% to 8% yield loss2. Phytech’s three seasons commercial trials confirm these results
FROM EMERGENCE TO HARVEST
ESTABLISHED YIELD POTENTIAL
ACHIEVE YIELD POTENTIAL
From emergence to tassel, plant development is essential to establish yield potential.
Stress prevention is the key to achieve that potential.
Phytech’s algorithm meets your plants’ needs from emergence to harvest, by first directing sufficient growth, then by preventing yield reducing stress.
THE PHYTECH SOLUTION
Sensors on selected plants continuously measure changes in stem diameter, which are translated into plant stress indications.
Supporting parameters included in the system: irrigation monitoring, climate data and satellite image analysis.
Phytech provides stress prediction and irrigation planning tools.
Phytech identifies yield reducing stress and immediately alerts growers on mobile and web platforms.
Direct plant sensing for determination of water stress is the most accurate way to make irrigation decisions. Phytech’s propriety technology, a combination of plant sensors and plant stress algorithms, is the best plant-based system available to growers today.
PREDICTION -> PLANNING
Irrigation is often planned days in advance. Therefore, knowing the current plant stress level is not always enough. Phytech developed a patented stress prediction algorithm which, based on hourly plant data, allow stress prediction days in advance. This encourages water saving when no stress is expected for days or allows the necessary time to prepare for a predicted water stress event.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
A corn stalk shrinks during the day as a response to lowering water levels. The more it is stressed the more it contracts, before replenishing again at night. Phytech’s algorithms utilize this shrink-swell mechanism as a tool to quantify water stress.
TRIAL RESULTS
During 2016 and 2017, Phytech operated commercial plots and trial plots in Texas, Nebraska, and Kansas. All trials and commercial sites show similar results; Phytech’s corn algorithm identifies days of water stress in real time. When a higher amount of stress is registered, a corresponding loss of yield is observed.
In Phytech’s irrigation trial site in Texas, half a corn pivot was irrigated at 3 different rates (3 gpm, 4 gpm, and 5 gpm = full irrigation). The low irrigated plot suffered 50% yield loss, and also registered the highest number of stress days, 17.
ROI (RETURN ON INVESTMENT)
A combination of published studies and Phytech’s own data analysis put an estimation of 5% yield loss per day of plant stress in the period around pollination. With an average pivot area of 120 acres, a yield of 225 bushels per acre, and 3.50 $US per bushel, a scenario of preventing 3 days of stress by using Phytech results in the possible revenue gain:
Possible yield gain for prevention of 3 stress days
120
ACRE
225
BUSHEL/ACRE
X
3.5
$/BUSHEL
X
X
15%
YIELD LOSS PREVENTION
= $14,175
Typical field parameters
Possible revenue gain
$126/AC
Phytech’s service model cost is a fraction of the grower’s savings
MAXIMIZE YIELD
Reach your optimal yield by avoiding stress
SAVE WATER
Use water more efficiently, save up to 40%
REDUCE RISK
Identify problems in real-time to prevent damage