Broadcast Fertilizer application is one of agriculture’s oldest fertilizer application methods. The longevity and popularity of the broadcast application technique are a reflection of its simplicity, efficiency, and adaptability. Of course, the tools used to broadcast fertilizers across fields have changed dramatically since ancient civilizations first developed the technique, and more importantly, so have the fertilizers that farmers apply.
Broadcast fertilizer application is:
- Simple, requiring relatively straight-forward equipment compared to some other fertilizer application methods
- Efficient, especially in large fields where large areas can be fertilized quickly
- Adaptable, suitable for large and small-scale application, and for various fertilizer types, including organic manures as well as granular, coated, and powdered fertilizers.
While broadcast application can fertilize small areas of land, it is particularly effective at applying fertilizer to broad-acre field crops and pastures. A modern fertilizer spreader applying a high-quality fertilizer with a consistent granule size and density can accurately spread granules up to 36 meters, providing a constant, even distribution of nutrients across a field.
Versatility of Broadcast Spreaders
Broadcast spreaders come in many diverse forms, including handheld tools, small walk-behind spreaders, aerial drone spreaders, larger tow-behind spreaders, and large tractor-mounted spreaders. At the core of each device lies a granular fertilizer-loaded hopper. As the spreader crosses the land, the hopper releases the fertilizer onto spinning disks that spread the fertilizer across the soil surface or growing crops, ensuring uniform dispersal.
When Should Broadcast Fertilization be Used?
There are two core stages when growers typically use broadcast fertilizer application: pre-plant application and top-dressing. In pre-plant application, the fertilizer is applied before planting seeds or seedlings. Immediate soil incorporation is key to preventing nutrient losses through runoff, leaching, or volatilization. Such incorporation enhances root contact and minimizes surface nutrient loss.
In contrast, top-dressing is the application of fertilizer to the soil surface after the crop is established. With top-dressing, the fertilizer is not incorporated into the soil but instead relies on moisture to carry the nutrients from the fertilizer granules on the soil surface into the root zone.
What are the Benefits of Broadcast Fertilizer Application?
While pre-plant broadcast applications may result in lower fertilizer use efficiency compared to other application methods, expansive areas can be covered swiftly and cost-effectively. Broadcast application is adaptable to various terrains, particularly excelling on irregularly shaped fields, slopes, and obstructed spaces.
However, it’s important to note that in no-till systems, broadcasted nutrients may not be incorporated, potentially leading to nutrient imbalances.
Optimizing Broadcast Fertilizer Application
To leverage the power of broadcast application and mitigate any drawbacks, farmers must account for variables like soil type, crop variety, weather patterns, and nutrient demands. Adjustments to application rates and timing based on these factors will significantly enhance its impact.
As well as determining the correct nutrient mix and application rate, growers must ensure the fertilizer’s granule size and density are compatible with the fertilizer spreader’s specification to help ensure even distribution.
ICL’s fertilizers are created from high-quality ingredients and manufactured to high standards to deliver a consistent granule size and density. Choosing high-quality fertilizers ensures an even distribution of nutrients through the field for the optimum crop response.
Whether you are applying a controlled-release fertilizer such as Agromaster®, one of our PLUS polyhalite-based fertilizers, or our superior phosphate or potash fertilizers, you can be confident in our high-quality fertilizers.
Equipped with the appropriate ICL plant nutrition products, you can embrace the flexibility of broadcast application – benefitting from the convenience, adaptability, and efficiency of this approach to nourishing crops across diverse landscapes.
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Master your crop nutrition in any condition
No matter how challenging your growing conditions, you can count on Agromaster® for top performance. It combines our advanced coating with specially selected conventional granules to give you optimum ease of use and outstanding results. You’re in control of nutrient supply every step of the way and this pays off in high yields and lower environmental impact. Ideal in spring and fall when heavy rainfall can lessen other fertilizers impact. Agromaster® products contain our E-Max Release Technology and in some formulations also our Resin Release Technology is included; E-Max release technology is a polymer coating that brings about much more efficient nutrient use. Nutrients are released according to soil temperature, which results in predictable longevities. Influenced by the temperature, the semi-permeable coating regulates the daily release of nutrients. Our Resin Release Technology raises precision nutrition to a new level. We use this versatile technology to coat different high-quality raw materials, including NPK compounds enriched with trace elements and NP or K-based ones. This innovative protective resin coating enables a controlled nutrient release that is initiated and regulated by soil temperature.
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Precision formulas tailored to your needs
Combifert® is our blend of high-quality, uniform PK or NPK granules with extra magnesium and sulphur. We’ve developed the range specifically to meet your unique needs. Use it with fruit, vegetables, and a huge range of crops. It’s a complete product, giving your crops a direct injection of nutrients. What’s more, it’s ideal for growth stages where you need high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium.
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The best source of phosphorous for acidic soils
Specifically designed for acidic soils or subtropical soils, Novaphos is ideal for a range of growing crops. It gives your crops essential phosphorous and other nutrients. Because it is slow-released, you have less phosphorous leaching, more phosphorous fixation and consequently more uptake. It can be tailored in different grades to add magnesium or other micronutrients. You benefit in the form of improved quality and yield.
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All-round plant nutrition in a single granule
ICL NPKpluS is our new line of granular NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) fertilizers with Polysulphate inside. The application of an ICL NPKpluS formulation provides six essential nutrients in one single operation: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium along with sulfur, magnesium, and calcium. The composition of ICL NPKpluS with three soluble sulfates (magnesium, potassium, and calcium) guarantees complete and efficient fertilization for the most demanding crops. ICL NPKpluS offers farmers the perfect balance between the most efficient raw materials and the most advanced technology, improving crop yields compared to traditional fertilizer practices.
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PK premium granulated fertilizers featuring Polysulphate
ICL PKpluS is our line of PK (phosphorus and potassium) granulated fertilizers based on Polysulphate, containing five nutrients. The application of an ICL PKpluS formulation allows farmers to apply phosphorus and potassium along with sulfur, magnesium, and calcium in a single operation. A considerable proportion of the potassium content is in sulfate (SO4) form (20–35%), allowing flexible use in many crops. ICL PKpluS is available in a variety of formulae grouped into three types: high phosphorus for best plant establishment balanced phosphorus and potassium for a balanced and efficient nutrient supply, and high potassium for extra crop quality. Tailor-made ICL PKpluS fertilizers with additional micronutrients are available by request.
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Granular potassium fertilizer combining Polysulphate and potash for improved performance
ICL PotashpluS™ is a granular fertilizer made with Polysulphate and potassium chloride. It provides crops with vital potassium, sulfur, magnesium, and calcium in a single application. ICL PotashpluS provides 37% potassium oxide, consisting of 30% potassium chloride and 7% as potassium sulfate. The sulfur, magnesium, and calcium in PotashpluS are all in 100% sulfate (SO4) form. With ICL PotashpluS, there is no need to choose between chloride or sulfate forms of potassium fertilizer: 20% of the potassium is in sulfate form, which reduces the chloride input by 50% compared with KCl. ICL PotashpluS is now included in the FiBL list of permitted inputs for organic production in Germany and Spain.
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The potash fertilizer with Polysulphate that combines high performance and optimum cost-effectiveness
Megapoly is a new granular fertilizer made with Polysulphate and potassium chloride. An effective potash fertilizer, Megapoly also provides crops with sulfur, magnesium, and calcium – all in a single application. It is a powerful combination of quick-release and prolonged-release nutrients to suit crop needs.
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High-quality, readily available P
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth, stimulating root development and promoting flowering. ICL’s Phosphate fertilizers provide high-quality and readily available sources of phosphorus for efficient crop nutrition. ICL’s Phosphate fertilizers have high available phosphorus content which can easily be taken up by plants’ roots, providing the strength needed for crop growth. ICL’s portfolio of phosphorus fertilizers enables users to choose and use the right product to ensure the correct phosphorus availability, and therefore optimal agronomic performance, according to the crop and soil type. Phosphate fertilizer production at ICL is back-integrated. We mine the phosphate rock at our energy-efficient Rotem production site in Israel. This raw phosphate rock is utilized in our phosphorus fertilizer products and results in a lower carbon footprint than other similar products. ICL’s professional agronomic and technical teams are on hand to provide the advice and support needed for efficient and sustainable phosphorus nutrition.
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Superior potash fertilizers
Potash (potassium chloride, or KCl), an essential nutrient for crop nutrition, is the most highly valued and widely used potassium fertilizer in the world, delivering the nutrient to the crop efficiently. ICL’s potash fertilizers are superb sources of potassium, produced at our environmentally friendly production sites. Our unique Dead Sea production site uses a natural evaporation process to produce potash. This process enables us to manufacture premium, high-quality potash fertilizers with a significantly lower carbon footprint than alternative products. For organic producers, there is more good news. ICL’s potash fertilizers are approved as inputs for organic farming under European regulation EU 2018/848, with FiBL, ECOCERT, and INTERECO all providing organic certification. In addition, ICL’s professional agronomic and technical teams are on hand to provide our customers with advice and support to ensure optimum potassium nutrition.
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Closing the loop with recycled nutrients
The pioneering production process embraces the principles of the circular economy, recycling waste material into high-quality, dependable and sustainable plant nutrition products. Rigorous quality control ensures that the products are totally safe to use for all crops and comply with EU fertilizer regulations. All products are extensively tested in agronomic trials to prove that they are a match for traditional fertilizers, with the added benefit of addressing global waste and environmental concerns. Pura fertilizers are ideal for direct soil application and can be used in blends and compound fertilizers. Discover the potential of recycled fertilizers with Pura. In 2024, the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) awarded Puraloop® the European Responsible Care® Award for promoting a circular economy and building a sustainable future for agriculture.
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Get the power of Polysulphate for optimum crop nutrition
Sofipoly is a new granular fertilizer made with Polysulphate and potassium sulfate. This effective potash fertilizer provides crops with vital potassium along with sulfur, magnesium, and calcium – all in a single application. Sofipoly is a powerful combination of quick-release and prolonged-release nutrients to suit crop needs. All the nutrients are in sulfate form, making Sofipoly the ideal potassium fertilizer for chloride-sensitive crops. It has a lower salinity index compared to alternative potassium fertilizers, which means there is less risk of soil salinization.
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