Smart Nutrition: Maximising ROI on Phosphate, Potash & Nitrogen

Ensuring that crops receive the right balance of nutrients is fundamental to maximising yield and improving efficiency.

In the latest episode of Tramlines, we speak with Tom Land, National Fertiliser Manager at Agrii, and Peter Scott, Technical Director at Origin Soil Nutrition.

They discuss the role of phosphate and potash in crop nutrition and how farmers can optimise their return on investment.

Understanding Crop Conditions in Early 2024

Tom and Peter note that crops across the UK are in a mixed state, largely due to variations in drilling times and winter weather patterns. While some farmers managed to establish early-drilled winter cereals, others had to plant later due to weather disruptions. As a result, crops are at different stages of development, affecting nutrient uptake.

The Impact of Weather on Nutrient Availability

According to Tom, recent weather patterns—including periods of excessive rainfall followed by dry or cold spells—have exacerbated nutrient deficiencies. Peter highlights that in regions with a drier-than-average autumn, crops are now showing signs of nitrogen, sulphur, and manganese deficiency.

Lessons from Last Season: Why Soil Health Matters

Peter emphasises that one of the biggest lessons from previous seasons is the importance of getting the basics right. This includes:

• Maintaining optimal soil pH through routine lime applications.
• Ensuring good soil structure to maximise root development.
• Building organic matter to improve soil resilience.
• Managing drainage to prevent nutrient leaching.

By prioritising soil health, farmers can enhance nutrient availability and reduce dependency on additional fertilisers.

Phosphate & Potash Usage: Trends and Considerations

Tom highlights a declining trend in the use of phosphate (P) and potash (K) on UK farms, as indicated by the British Survey of Fertiliser Practice. While cost considerations are a factor, a reduction in P and K applications can lead to deficiencies that impact crop performance.

Farmers are starting to see:

• Lower grain P concentrations.
• Increased potassium deficiencies, particularly in cereals and maize.
• More widespread sulphur deficiencies, which were especially severe last year.
  
  

Enhancing Root Systems for Better Nutrient Uptake

Developing a strong root system is crucial to improving a crop’s ability to access nutrients, especially in unpredictable weather. Strategies include:

• Fertiliser placement using drills equipped with fertiliser kits.
• Prioritising early nutrition for later-drilled crops with smaller root systems.
• Spring top-dressing of potassium and sulphur to maintain balanced nutrition.

Research shows that in dry seasons, crops with stronger root systems exhibit higher potassium uptake, helping to mitigate stress.

The Role of Sulphur in Nitrogen Efficiency

Peter explains the critical relationship between nitrogen and sulphur. To optimise grain protein content, the ideal nitrogen-to-sulphur ratio for cereals is 12:1. Without adequate sulphur, nitrogen uptake is inefficient, limiting yield and quality.

Farmers struggling to meet protein targets in milling wheat, for example, may be applying more nitrogen than necessary without sufficient sulphur to support conversion into protein.

How to Improve Nutrient Planning

Tom and Peter stress the importance of nutrient planning, using data to tailor fertiliser applications. Steps include:

• Conducting broad-spectrum soil analysis to determine nutrient requirements.
• Using tissue testing to monitor in-season crop nutrition.
• Performing grain analysis post-harvest to evaluate nutrient uptake.

By integrating these insights, farmers can develop a precision nutrient management plan that balances input costs with optimal yield.

Top Agronomy Tips for 2024

Tom Land’s Advice:

• ✅ Conduct visual inspections to assess crop health.
• ✅ Prioritise backward crops that need additional nutrition.
• ✅ Don’t overapply nitrogen—ensure the right balance with other nutrients.

Peter Scott’s Recommendations:

• ✅ Plan ahead for spring drilling—get soil analysis done now.
• ✅ Use placement fertilisation for spring crops where possible.
• ✅ Incorporate nutrients into the seedbed to improve early establishment.