Several articles in the popular farm press have been devoted to a new fertilizer additive called Amisorb. Amisorb is a polyaspartate (a chain of amino acids related to the sweetener Nutrasweet) that is being marketed as a nutrient uptake enhancer. The compound is claimed to act as extensions of plant root hairs, thus allowing plants to more effectively extract nutrients from the soil and produce higher yields.
Some of the initial research with Amisorb was done in the greenhouse with hydroponic nutrient solutions. These studies showed positive results. However, 1996 field studies with the product were not so promising. In wheat studies at Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, and South Dakota State University, positive yield results were few and far between. At South Dakota, researches also tested the product on both corn and soybeans and found no significant yield differences. As with any new product, more than one year of testing is needed. Until results are more conclusive, it is probably best for growers to only use the product on a limited field trial basis or not at all.
See this Iowa State article for additional information and data
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