Controlled Release Fertilizers

Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRFs) are innovative products designed to provide crops with a consistent nutrient supply over an extended period of time. The stand-out feature of CRFs is their advanced coating technologies. This coating technology controls the release rate of the nutrients, ensuring the nutrient availability matches the plants’ needs. This improves yields, reduces nutrient losses, and simplifies fertilizer application.

How do Controlled Release Fertilizers Work?

ICL’s Controlled Release Fertilizers encapsulate a nutrient core within an advanced coating. The advanced coating regulates the release of nutrients into the soil, providing the nutrition plants need for up to 18 months. ICL’s state-of-the-art coatings manage the release of the nutrients steered by soil temperature alone. The release rate is independent of soil type, pH, or other factors. As a result, plants receive a steady nutrient supply, enhancing growth and reducing the risk of nutrient leaching into the environment.

ICL Controlled Release Fertilizers for agriculture use 3 different coating technologies:

• E-Max Release Technology: a polymer coating that brings about highly efficient nutrient use
• Resin Release Technology: an innovative protective resin coating
• eqo.x Release Technology: ICL’s newest CRF technology which delivers the same performance in a rapidly degradable coating that quickly and fully degrades once the nutrients are released.

Why Use Controlled Release Fertilizers?

• Enhanced Nutrient Use Efficiency: By synchronizing nutrient release with plant uptake, CRFs increase nutrient use efficiency by up to 80%, which means that growers can reduce application rates by up to 30% while achieving the same yield.
• Labor and Cost Savings: The extended nutrient release reduces the frequency of fertilizer applications, leading to savings in labor and application costs.
• Environmental Sustainability: CRFs reduce nitrogen losses from leaching and volatilization by up to 60% and losses from denitrification by over 10%, reducing excess nutrients escaping into the surrounding environment.
• Improved Crop Quality and Yield: Consistent nutrient availability supports optimal plant growth for higher yields and better-quality produce.

ICL’s Controlled Release Fertilizer Products

ICL offers Controlled Release Fertilizer products with a wide range of longevities, from 1 month up to 1.5 years. Each of these CRF products is tailored to the nutritional needs of modern crops.

• Agromaster: Combines controlled release and conventional granules for precise crop nutrition in any condition.
• Agromaster Start Mini: The latest generation of starter fertilizers for seeded crops.
• Agrocote: State-of-the-art nutrition giving you higher Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) with fewer applications.
• Agroblen: The perfect controlled-release solution for the establishment of young plants.
• Agroblen Tablet: 100% coated NPK-based fertilizer in tablet form, combining Resin Release Technology and the highest quality nutrients.
• Agroblen with V-Factor: Boosts plants’ growth safely and sustainability, combining Resin Release Technology with an Organic Growth Enhancer for optimum rooting and growth

How Long do Controlled Release Fertilizers Last?

ICL Controlled Release Fertilizers have longevities ranging from 1-2 months up to 18 months. This longevity is based on a consistent soil temperature of 21°C, but the actual nutrient release is dependent on the soil temperature. When the temperature is lower, crops need fewer nutrients, so the CRF slows down the release of nutrients. As the soil warms up, the release rate increases to match the increased requirements of the plants.

With the actual release rate dependent on local conditions, ICL has developed the CRF Timer tool that will help growers determine the proportion of CRF nutrients that remain. The CRF Timer includes data from 400 weather stations in 48 countries to calculate the actual release of nutrients for a given location.

Research and Development

ICL is committed to advancing CRF technology through continuous research and development. Our innovative plant nutrition products are designed to meet the evolving needs of modern agriculture, ensuring efficiency, sustainability, and profitability for farmers worldwide.

Explore our Controlled Release Fertilizers to discover the right Controlled Release Fertilizer for your crop and growing conditions, and find out how ICL Controlled Release Fertilizers can benefit your crops and your farming business.