Jan 19, 20102009 Data Shows Zeba Holds Water, Boosts Yield and Grade
Potato growers across the Northwest report improvements in both yield and quality of their 2009 harvest when using Zeba, a corn starch-based soil moisture management technology.
In limited distribution since 2005, growers are amassing results that are making Zeba as common to growers as using an insecticide or fertilizer to protect and improve their potato harvest, according to a statement from the company.
We saw significant quality and yield improvements in more than 90 percent of our side-by-side field tests during the 2009 potato harvest, which is consistent with our findings over the last several years,” said Kevin Hamilton, vice president of new business development for Absorbent Technologies, the manufacturer and marketer of Zeba.
Zeba is a super-absorbent product made from natural cornstarch that is capable of holding hundreds of times its own weight in moisture, where it can be absorbed by plant roots when needed. Zeba eventually biodegrades in the soil. The technology was first discovered by USDA 30 years ago with commercialization beginning in earnest with the 2003 formation of Absorbent Technologies, Inc. in Beaverton, Ore.
Absorbent Technologies works with growers to track results in dozens of fields in high-value crop growing regions such as the Pacific Northwest, California, Florida and the Red River Valley in North Dakota.
In Idaho, potato harvest results across nine fields resulted in 2.6 tons per acre more potatoes and improvements in both 6- and 10-ounce payables. After covering the cost of Zeba, growers benefited an additional $328 per acre by using the water management product.
In Washington, MHB Farms of Marlin, in the east central part of the state, Zeba treatments resulted in an additional 2.7 tons of payable potatoes per acre, delivering a significant return on investment.
“Last year it was easy going,” said Jake Gross of MHB Farms, an operation with 2,500 acres of potatoes which has used Zeba for three years. “Everything worked well.”
Gross said it took a few seasons to perfect the application of Zeba, including working with staff from Zeba and equipment maker Gandy to install the right metering wheels that regulate the flow of Zeba in the crop row. Gross said MHB farms is now pursuing field tests with other crops.
Another person tracking the progress of Zeba is Ron Turner, a certified crop advisor for Quincy Farm Chemicals in Quincy, Wash.
“We’ve seen enough difference at harvest in the past to want to do it 100 percent on the acres we support. We took little steps at first, treating strips and field splits, before jumping into it 100 percent.”
Turner said one grower revamped the application equipment to work better with his tractor and planter, making it easier to treat all their potato acreage. Turner’s advice regarding equipment: “Get it ordered in time to mount it properly.”
His clientele is looking into experimenting with Zeba for dry beans and lima beans. But for now, the primary focus is on potatoes. ”
