Jerry Stoller makes case for plant hormones

Jerry Stoller, head of Stoller USA, spoke at Agri-Trend's Farm Forum conference yesterday — as he's been doing for years. But this is the first time I'd heard him. Stoller's company develops and sells plant hormones that, in simple terms, keep plant roots growing strong all through the growing season, prevent plants from dying prematurely, and encourage plants to grow shorter and put more of that energy into seed yield. At least those are the claims.

Stoller admits in the opening of his presentation that many people in the plant science community oppose his thinking. But he's determined that these products work. "We're never going to progress unless we challenge what we've been taught," he says.

Plant hormone products are regulated in Canada under the same rules that guide fertilizer products. Stoller USA hasn't done the research required to get their products registered up here, so Canadian farmers don't have access to Stoller hormones. I'll be looking into this more. I'd like to hear from plant scientists who have studied plant hormones and whether we can use hormone products to promote certain plant activities to our benefit. Menopausal women take hormones. So do feedlot cattle. Is this something crop producers can benefit from, especially if it improves nutrient uptake efficiency and boosts yield. Please email me with your comments.