Why Should We Use Brassinolide Properly?

Brassinolide is widely recognized as the sixth major plant hormone, with functions such as promoting growth, root promotion during seedling stage, improving stress resistance, increasing yield and quality, synergistic enhancement, and alleviating pesticide damage. It is widely used in dozens of major crops such as oil crops, fruit trees, and vegetables.

Currently, there are five mainstream registered Brassinolide products in the market: 24-mixed Brassinolide (approximately 60%-70% is 22, 23, 24-epi Brassinolide, approximately 30%-40% is 24-epi Brassinolide), 24-epi Brassinolide, 28-epi High Brassinolide, 28-High Brassinolide, and 14-hydroxybrassinosterol.

Currently, only one compound, 14-hydroxybrassinosterol, is known as natural Brassinolide, which is extracted from rapeseed pollen. However, researchers from the US Department of Agriculture took 10 years to extract a 10 milligram sample from 225 kilograms of rapeseed pollen. Based on reasonable calculations, approximately 100,000 acres of rapeseed flowers are needed to extract 27 milligrams (0.027 grams) of pure natural Brassinolide.

Although Brassinolide has a wide range of applications and can be used in almost all crops, from soaking seeds to restoring tree vigor after harvest, the entire crop growth process can benefit from it. It can be applied in various ways, such as seed mixing, soaking, drip irrigation, root drenching, foliar spraying, and aerial spraying. It is known as the "universal medicine." However, in the following situations, the "universal medicine" Brassinolide must be prohibited:

1. Is it prohibited to mix with alkaline pesticides and fertilizers?

Brassinolide should not be mixed with alkaline fertilizers such as calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer, wood ash, ammonium bicarbonate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, nitrate compound fertilizer, and ammonia water. It should not be mixed with alkaline pesticides such as Bordeaux mixture and lime sulfur, as it may cause phytotoxicity.

2. Should it not be mixed with herbicides?

Brassinolide can alleviate herbicide damage. If weeds absorb Brassinolide, it will reduce the herbicidal effect. It is recommended to use them at least 7 days apart.

3. Should it not be sprayed on vigorously growing plots?

Brassinolide can promote cell division in plants and stimulate growth. However, in plots with excessive growth, it is necessary to control the excessive growth instead of spraying Brassinolide.

4. Should it not be sprayed on rainy days or within 6 hours of rainfall?

After Brassinolide is sprayed on crop leaves, it takes some time to be absorbed by the plants. If it rains, the rainwater will wash away the liquid and dilute its concentration, greatly reducing the effectiveness of Brassinolide. Therefore, when spraying Brassinolide, it is important to check the weather forecast in advance.

5. Should it not be used during high-temperature periods?

Brassinolide should not be sprayed on leaves during the hottest time of the day when the temperature is high. At this time, leaf evaporation is fast, making it difficult for crops to absorb the substance. It also prevents the rapid evaporation of water due to high temperatures, which would increase the concentration of the Brassinolide solution.

6. Should it not be used at high concentrations?

Brassinolide is a chemical substance with a structure similar to phytosterols. It has a suitable concentration for use. If used at a high concentration, it will not only waste the substance but may also inhibit the growth of crops to varying degrees.

7. Is Brassinolide not a foliar fertilizer?

Brassinolide is a plant growth regulator and belongs to the category of pesticides. It is not a foliar fertilizer. Brassinolide itself does not provide nutrients. It indirectly regulates crop growth by adjusting the plant's endogenous hormone system. It is compatible with foliar fertilizers, but it must ensure nutrient supply through integrated water, fertilizer, and regulation to maximize the effectiveness of Brassinolide in plants.