Row application of fertilizers is widely used in commercial agriculture. The technique gives seedlings the best start, improving nutrient use efficiency and stimulating enhanced and early seedling growth. Seedlings that have enjoyed row application are robust and less prone to suffer from pests and diseases.
What is Row Application?
Row application is a fertilizer placement method used for crops planted in rows. It involves applying fertilizer in continuous bands beside or below the seed row, creating a concentrated nutrient zone that supports rapid and vigorous early growth. The targeted nutrient delivery to the root zone improves efficiency compared to broadcast spreading or foliar application. Row application is commonly used in crops such as maize, sugarcane, soybean, and potatoes.
How does Row Application Work
Row application places nutrients where developing roots can access them most easily. Placement is typically 5 cm to the side or 5 cm below the seed, although this may vary depending on the crop and soil type. Fertilizer may be applied before planting, during seeding, or immediately afterward. Both dry and liquid formulations can be used, depending on the equipment and agronomic objectives.
Key Benefits of Row Application
Row application offers multiple agronomic advantages by delivering nutrients directly where young plants need them most. These benefits translate into stronger crop performance from the very start of the growing season.
- Improved Nutrient Use Efficiency: By concentrating nutrients near the root zone, this method reduces losses due to leaching or volatilization and enhances uptake.
- Enhanced Early Growth: Seedlings benefit from immediate access to nutrients, promoting faster and stronger establishment.
- Greater Resilience: Vigorous early growth helps seedlings better withstand pests, diseases, and environmental stress.
- Phosphorus Efficiency: Banding phosphorus fertilizers near the seed row reduces P-fixation, increasing availability and uptake of this vital nutrient in the critical early stages of growth.
Placement Matters
The effectiveness of row application depends heavily on proper placement. Fertilizer placed too close to the seed can cause salt injury, inhibit germination, or hinder root development. A general guideline is to maintain a minimum distance of 5 cm to the side and 5 cm below the seed. The fertilizer dose must also be carefully managed as excessive rates can damage seedlings, particularly under dry conditions or in sensitive crops.
Row Application vs. Side Dressing
While row application is performed at or before planting, side dressing involves applying fertilizer along plant rows later in the season. Side dressing is especially useful for nitrogen management, allowing growers to split total N applications and respond to crop demand throughout the season. This approach is particularly valuable in coarse-textured soils with high nitrate leaching potential.
However, side dressing is less effective for immobile nutrients like phosphorus, as these nutrients remain where placed and may not reach the root zone in time to benefit plant growth. Care must also be taken to avoid root damage during side dressing operations.
Practical Considerations
Successful row application depends on adapting the technique to local conditions, including soil characteristics, crop type, and available equipment. Consider the following factors when planning your approach:
- Soil Type: On sandy soils, splitting nitrogen with side dressing can prevent early-season nutrient losses. On heavier soils, pre-plant row application of nutrients, especially phosphorus and potassium, is often more effective.
- Crop Type: Consider the rooting depth and nutrient uptake pattern of each crop to tailor the application strategy.
- Equipment: Use calibrated and well-maintained application equipment to ensure consistent depth, spacing, and avoidance of seed contact.
Fertilizers Well-Suited for Row Application
Choosing the right fertilizer is essential to get the most from row application. ICL offers many advanced formulations that support early root development, improve nutrient efficiency, and match a range of crop cycles and soil conditions. Our Agrocote and Agromaster controlled release fertilizers deliver nutrients over a prolonged period, with longevities tailored to your crop’s needs. We also offer Polysulphate-based fertilizers from our Plus range of fertilizers, our recycled phosphorus Puraloop fertilizer, and, of course, our high quality potash, phosphate, and granular fertilizers to choose from.
These fertilizers allow for strategic nutrient placement, improving crop performance and input efficiency. (Always consult an agronomist to tailor your choice to local soil and crop conditions.)
Setting the Foundation for Strong Crops
Row application provides an efficient, targeted approach to nutrient delivery. When done correctly, it enhances early root development, improves fertilizer use efficiency, and increases crop resilience. Combined with well-timed side dressing and soil-specific management, row application forms a key part of integrated nutrient management, supporting strong yields and sustainable production across diverse cropping systems.
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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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Mini coated nutrition to start your crops
Agromaster® Start Mini is a safe starter fertilizer for all seeded crops, combining ICL’s advanced coating technology with specially selected mini granules. The controlled release of N and P will keep your plants fed in their early stages, without affecting germination and emergence of young plants. With ultra-localized application, close to the seeds, Agromaster® Start Mini boosts rooting and promotes fast establishment of the plants. Coated P-based products improve the availability and uptake of phosphorus by the young root system. Meanwhile the coated nitrogen provides a gradual releases which means that stressful situations, especially in the cold season, will be avoided.
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Unlock the potential of your crops with Bioz®
ICL Bioz® brings together our innovative, cutting-edge biostimulant products designed to unlock the full potential of your crops. Bioz® brings you a range of innovative biostimulant products meticulously developed to enhance crop yields. Our solutions are specifically designed to improve various aspects of crop growth and performance, ensuring you achieve optimum productivity. Seed Treatments for Superior Establishment Our advanced Bioz® seed treatments are engineered to improve crop establishment and performance right from the start. By providing essential nutrients and stimulating growth, our seed treatments lay the foundation for robust and thriving crops. Boosting Flowering, Fruit, and Seed Setting With Bioz®, you have access to powerful products that optimize flowering, fruit, and seed setting. Our biostimulants have been carefully formulated to enhance these critical stages of plant development, resulting in improved crop quality, yield, and market value. Stress Tolerance and Rapid Recovery The impact on yield from periods of stress can be significant. That’s why we offer specialized products that boost crops’ tolerance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Our biostimulants help plants adapt and overcome challenges such as heat, drought, and salinity, enabling them to thrive in adverse conditions. Additionally, our solutions promote rapid recovery from stress periods, ensuring your crops regain their vitality swiftly. Tailored Solutions for Every Crop The specific needs of different crops varies, which is why our biostimulants are tailored to meet the specific needs of various crops. Whether you’re growing cereals, annual or perennial fruit crops, vegetables, beans, or soybeans, we have the perfect biostimulant to help your crops reach their full yield potential. *Bioz is a registered trademark of ICL Europe Cooperative UA
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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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Essential N, P & K in every granule
ICL’s Granular Complex fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – the three essential plant nutrients required to maximize crop yield and quality. Available as PK, NP, or NPK fertilizers, we have designed these products to meet specific crop requirements. These fertilizers feature a balance of nutrients packed into every granule, ready to supply the consistent nutrition that crops depend on for healthy growth. ICL’s high-quality, tailor-made compound granular fertilizers are all manufactured in-house using our own raw materials and technology. This back integration ensures only high-quality phosphate rock and potash are used in ICL’s granular fertilizers, with the added benefit of a lower carbon footprint than similar products. With a wide variety of formulae to choose from, you can be sure of the right balance of nutrients for your particular crop, soil, climate, and farming practices. In addition to our high-quality complex fertilizers, ICL’s professional agronomic and technical teams are on hand to provide our customers with advice and support to ensure optimum complex nutrition.
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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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The four-in-one natural fertilizer
Mined in the UK in its natural crystal state (polyhalite), Polysulphate contains four essential nutrients: sulfur (S), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca), all in sulfate form. Polysulphate has a natural, unique dissolution pattern that releases nutrients gradually after application. This prolonged availability is a real plus for growers, as it reduces nutrient losses while also matching nutrient availability to the uptake requirements of crops. The net result, backed up by extensive crop trials, is that Polysulphate increases the nutrient use efficiency of crops, increasing their yield and crop quality. Polysulphate stands out as an eco-friendly choice for farmers. With its natural composition – it is simply mined, crushed, and screened – Polysulphate has an exceptionally low carbon footprint. In fact, Standard, Granular, and Mini Polysulphate have the lowest carbon footprint (compared to similar products) of just 0.0029 kilograms of CO2 equivalent per kilogram of product, clearly setting Polysulphate apart from other fertilizers. Polysulphate sets the standard in environmental sustainability among fertilizers. With certification agencies around the world, including Ecocert, Ceres, Control Union, and OMRI, approving Polysulphate for organic farming systems, growers for traditional and organic markets can benefit from the PLUS of using Polysulphate. Recently, Polysulphate fertilizers were certified to comply with UK’s OF&G Standards and also approved for use in organic systems. ICL Polysulphate: Always look for the PLUS.
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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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