FAQs

At Mosaic, we know crop nutrition. We also know that science is advancing to better understand the role beneficial bacteria play in crop nutrition. With the introduction of Mosaic Biosciences™, we now offer a line of biological products that are firmly based in science, and with the agronomic expertise that you have come to expect with the Mosaic name.

PowerCoat™ is a biological fertilizer complement that contains proven strains of PGPR — Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria — that increases nutrient availability, uptake, and utilization and improves early-season plant growth and vigor, optimizing yield potential. PowerCoat is an oil-based formulation for impregnating dry fertilizer.

PowerCoat contains select, highly effective strains of spore-forming Bacillus bacteria (PGPR) that colonize in and around developing roots and supports positive plant growth responses. The select strains of Bacillus in PowerCoat produce organic acids and enzymes that improve the solubilization of fertilizer into plant-available forms. Those nutrients are made more available to the roots, creating a stronger, more vigorous plant that can better manage stresses throughout the season and optimize yields.

PowerCoat is not a nutrient replacement, but rather a biological fertilizer complement that optimizes the efficiency of an existing fertility program. Research has shown PowerCoat can increase total nutrient uptake of both macronutrients and micronutrients, demonstrating the increased optimization of fertilizer applied this season and/or residual amounts in the soil that has been tied up in unavailable forms.

PowerCoat is an affordable way to increase your return on fertilizer investment (ROFI). Adding PowerCoat to your dry fertilizer program helps ensure that nutrients are accessible and plant-available ahead of critical plant uptake periods. With a yield advantage ROI of over 3 to 1, PowerCoat makes your soil and fertilizer work harder, allowing your crops to grow stronger and increasing your ROFI and overall profitability.

With over six years of proven performance, PowerCoat has demonstrated a positive yield increase in a variety of crops.

Examples:

• On broadcast urea in corn: PowerCoat on urea fertilizer applied broadcast pre-plant resulted in a +1.9 bu/ac yield increase over the grower standard.
• On broadcast P & K in alfalfa: PowerCoat on P & K fertilizer applied broadcast resulted in a +500 lb/ac yield increase over the grower standard, coupled with over a 6% increase in quality.

PowerCoat has demonstrated improved yield across a variety of crops and soil conditions. Third-party, independent research is available for corn, wheat, canola and alfalfa. Some retailers and farmers have explored using PowerCoat on other crops as well with on-farm success.

PowerCoat is a convenient complement to dry fertilizer programs and is compatible with Mosaic’s performance product fertilizers along with a wide range of other raw nutrients, blends and dry organic fertilizers. The application of PowerCoat to dry fertilizer must be done at a commercial fertilizer or retailer that is equipped for this type of process.

Dry fertilizers coated with PowerCoat have a shelf life of up to 18 months, if the uncoated fertilizer’s physical integrity specifications allow. If PowerCoat is applied to a fertilizer that also contains an N-stabilizer or other nutrient coating, ensure PowerCoat is applied to the fertilizer last. A Recommended Handling and Impregnation Procedures and Material Compatibility resource can be provided upon request by emailing mb.agronomy@mosaicco.com.

The microbes in PowerCoat are in spore form. Think of them as a seed with a protective shell. If introduced into an environment with adverse conditions, these microbes simply stay dormant in the spore form until conditions are favorable for propagation. When environmental conditions are suitable, bacterial populations will begin to colonize crop roots. These conditions may include moisture, pH, temperature and substrate (food sources) availability.

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPRs) are bacteria that colonize plant roots and form a symbiotic relationship with the plant.

• Understood MOA and known use rate — proven technology, known use rates by crop and application.
• Consistent performance.
• Win-win economics — Competitive cost points and exceptional ROI.
• Ease of use — easily impregnated on dry fertilizer.
• Shelf-life/storage — 24 months in concentrate, up to 18 months on fertilizer, no special storage conditions required.