SOP^®, thanks to its physics based Sirio Operating Process^® technology, which for many years has been applied to various sectors, and in particular to the animal husbandry sector, has introduced an absolutely new product for the cultivation of maize which helps to avoid time and money wasting and to optimise economic investment and the farmer’s work.

This product, which treats maize from its sowing to its harvest, is called SOP MAIZE Twin-pack which contains 2 products: SOP COCUS MAIZE & SOP SELOS MAIZE.

SOP COCUS MAIZE is applied to the seed before sowing. It improves the germinating energy and inhibits the pathogenic bacteria that attack the seeds. It results in much faster and homogenous germination even for seeds coated with traditional products, reducing damage caused by the formation of surface crusts, in the case of early sowing or a re-freeze. Experimental trials, in collaboration with the “Azienda Sperimentale Tadini (PC)” (Tadini Experimental Farm - Province of Piacenza), have shown an increase in the number of emergent plants, 20 days after sowing, equal to 71.43% (maize class 400) and to 140% (class 700), with respect to untreated maize.

SOP SELOS MAIZE can easily be mixed with post-emergent herbicides. It stimulates the absorption of the nutritional elements necessary for the development of the plants. This results in a reduction of the surface fertilizing costs and a valorisation of the animal husbandry waste products. Experimental trials conducted from 2006 to 2009 have shown that the use of SOP MAIZE Twin-pack results in a reduction of up to 50% of the nitrogen fertiliser units required, without a significant production loss. The use of SOP SELOS MAIZE results in chopped maize forage unit values which are higher than those of the sample without urea and equal to those of the farm standard. These trials have, furthermore, shown that the use of SOP MAIZE Twin-Pack + 200 kg of urea/ha results in a 2% increase in the net energy required for milk, compared to the standard 400 kg/ha of urea.

Reduction of nitrates in chopped maize

The ingestion of chopped maize with a high content of nitrates may cause serious damage to the animal organism: hormonal equilibrium, hepatic activity, etc. This results in a lower production rate and higher veterinary costs…

SOP technology applied in the field results in a reduction of nitrates, which has great benefits in the barn. Trials have shown that chopped maize produced after the application of SOP Twin-Pack contains only 45% of the nitrates produced with 200 kg/ha of urea.

SOP COCUS MAIZE & SOP SELOS MAIZE are allowed in organic farming.