Choosing the right fertilizer is one part of increasing efficiency. But adequate and balanced use of fertilizers – making sure that no more and no less product than necessary is applied- is also essential.
Nitrate-based solutions are part of an ongoing efficiency process that begins long before any fertilizer is applied and reaps benefits for a long time after the season’s plants are harvested.
Here is how Yara’s nitrate-based solutions can help you farm more efficiently before, during, and after you fertilize:
Before fertilizing: precise measurement for accurate dosage
Without accurate data about your plants’ nutrient needs in real-time, you can easily apply the wrong amount. Too little will result in poorer soil and low-quality crops. Overdoing it will not only waste money spent on fertilizer, it will leave excess nitrogen in the soil that has negative environmental effects.
Precise measurement in the field is made easier with digital tools such as Yara N-Tester, which allows you to measure nitrogen needs on the spot. These insights will ensure you achieve optimal yield and nutrition quality.
During fertilizing: accurate and even spreading
Accurate, consistent spreading is also a key component in maximizing efficiency. Because of its high density, ammonium nitrate provides more flexible and accurate spreading. Particularly under varied weather conditions, as even light breezes can generate significant spreading errors with urea-based products.
To improve the performance of spreading, Yara also offers digital tools to address variable nitrogen demand across the fields. The Yara N-sensor and Atfarm are land and satellite-based solutions, that combined with our nitrogen recommendation, provides one of the most advanced variable-rate nitrogen application maps available.
After fertilizing: better absorption for higher yield and lower residual nitrates
Plants love nitrates. They absorb them quickly and easily, and in turn grow into healthier, higher-quality crops that contain more nutrients.
Choosing a nitrate-based solution will ensure a higher yield for every kilogram of product applied. In-field tests conducted by Yara, nitrate-based solutions achieve up to 9% higher yield than urea-based products with identical application rates.
The rapid uptake of nitrates, split applications, and making the correct decisions for N-rate, gives more control over the amount of excess nitrogen remaining in the soil after the plants have absorbed the nutrients they need. Excess nitrogen leftover in the soil after harvest can seep down below the root zone, and leach into groundwater.
Nitrate-based fertilizers have a low acidifying effect on the soil – saving both time and money spent on liming after harvest to correct the soil balance.
