Protecting applied nitrogen to improve efficiency

A proportion of applied nitrogen is always at risk of loss. Retaining nitrogen within the rooting zone is key to improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency.

Where nitrogen losses occur

• Volatilisation: Loss to the air, particularly from urea-based products
• Leaching: Movement beyond the rooting zone
• Denitrification: Losses in waterlogged soils
  
  

Evidence from Agrii trials

Agrii trials with nitrogen stabilisers such as Liqui-Safe have shown improvements in Nitrogen Use Efficiency of around 15 percent through reducing losses to the air and preventing leaching.

In UK trials, this has translated into yield increases of close to 1 t per hectare in winter wheat compared with untreated UAN, alongside a return on investment of over £170 per hectare.

Factors influencing nitrogen loss

• Soil type and structure
• Temperature and rainfall
• Timing of application
• Form of nitrogen applied
  
  

What this means in practice

• More of the applied nitrogen remains available to the crop
• Improved consistency of crop growth
• Reduced requirement to compensate with higher rates
  
  

Practical steps to reduce losses

• Time applications to match crop demand
• Avoid applications immediately ahead of heavy rainfall
• Select nitrogen forms suited to field conditions
• Consider stabilised products where risk is higher
  
  

In practice on farm

Reducing nitrogen losses increases the proportion of applied nitrogen used by the crop. Even small improvements in retention can deliver measurable gains in yield and overall efficiency.