JOHN SANDMEYER, Crop Protection & Nutrients Director
John.Sandmeyer@NuWay-KandH.com
As growers begin thinking about fall fertility programs, one topic continues to be front and center: getting the most value from every fertilizer application.
Phosphorus remains one of the most important nutrients for crop production, but it’s also one of the most challenging nutrients to manage efficiently. Once applied, phosphorus can become tied up in the soil, reducing the amount that is immediately available for crop uptake. In many cases, only a portion of the phosphorus applied is utilized by the crop during the growing season.
With fertilizer markets continuing to face supply challenges and long-term pressure on availability, growers are increasingly looking for ways to improve nutrient use efficiency rather than simply applying more product. The goal is to make every pound
of fertilizer work harder while maintaining strong
crop performance.
Improving Phosphorus Efficiency
One approach gaining attention is the use of fertilizer enhancement technologies designed to improve phosphorus availability and utilization.
Products such as TriVar™ can be applied with dry fertilizer programs in either the fall or spring. TriVar™ works through multiple modes of action designed to improve nutrient availability:
- Helps protect applied phosphorus and micronutrients from tie-up in the soil
- Releases phosphorus and micronutrients that are already present in the soil
- Utilizes enzyme technology to convert organic phosphorus into plant-available forms
- Provides additional zinc and boron uniformly across each fertilizer granule
By improving access to both applied and existing soil nutrients, these technologies can help growers maximize the effectiveness of their fertility programs.
New Technologies on the Horizon
Another option is RhizoSorb®, which is incorporated directly into fertilizer products.
RhizoSorb® works by helping maintain phosphorus availability and reducing nutrient tie-up after application. This acts as a nutrient reservoir, storing and releasing phosphorus as the crop needs it throughout the growing season. Unlike some technologies that rely primarily on environmental conditions, RhizoSorb® is designed to respond to plant demand, helping provide consistent phosphorus availability during critical growth stages.
The result is improved nutrient use efficiency and a fertility program designed to get more value from the nutrients being applied.
Planning for Fall Applications
As fertilizer decisions are made this fall, it’s important to evaluate not only application rates, but also how efficiently those nutrients will be utilized by the crop. Technologies that improve phosphorus availability may provide opportunities to enhance overall fertility performance while helping maximize the return on your fertilizer investment.
Every operation is different, and the best approach depends on soil conditions, crop rotation, fertility history, and yield goals.
If you’d like to discuss TriVar™, RhizoSorb®, or other nutrient management strategies, reach out to your Agronomy Account Manager or contact me directly at John.Sandmeyer@NuWay-KandH.com. We’re happy to help review your fertility program and identify opportunities to improve nutrient efficiency for the seasons ahead.