JumpStart®

JumpStart® is an inoculant containing the naturally occurring soil fungus Penicillium bilaiae (P. bilaiae), which grows along plant roots, releasing phosphate bound in the soil, making it more available for the crop to use. 

Up to 90 per cent of applied phosphate fertilizer goes unused in the year of application as it gets tied (bound) to soil particles and other elements, making it unavailable to the crop. Some of this is used over subsequent years, but at least 25 per cent never becomes available.¹ It is crucial to make the most efficient use of fertilizer phosphate to maximize yield potential. 

Factors Affecting Phosphate Availability²  

Phosphate is less available: 

• In soils containing high levels of cations, such as calcium, magnesium, iron or aluminum 
• In soils with high clay content 
• At colder soil temperatures 
• To crops with a tap root system 
• In dry soils 

^{1 Better Crops Vol. 86 (2002, No. 4), International Plant Nutrition Institute (formerly: Potash and Phosphate Institute).} 

^{2 Penicillium bilaiae inoculation increases root-hair production in field pea. Robert H. Gulden and J. Kevin Vessey. May 17, 2000.}