Improving Nutrition in Fruit Trees and Woody Crops with Agromaster^®

Agromaster® controlled-release fertilizers provide a steady, crop-aligned nutrient supply for fruit trees and woody crops, improving nutrient use efficiency, supporting uniform growth, and reducing losses from leaching, especially under challenging soil moisture conditions.

Achieving consistent nutrition in woody crops such as fruit trees, citrus, vines, and olives can be challenging. Nutrient demand varies throughout the season, while environmental factors, particularly soil moisture, can limit nutrient availability and uptake. As a result, growers often face uneven growth, inefficient fertilizer use, and increased management costs.

Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) such as Agromaster® offer a practical solution to these challenges. By delivering nutrients gradually and in line with crop demand, Agromaster® helps maintain a consistent nutrient supply, supporting more uniform development across the orchard or plantation.

Agromaster® is designed to perform reliably across a wide range of climates, soil types, and cropping systems. Agromaster uses special coatings, equipped with our E-Max Release Technology or eqo.x Release Technology, to regulate nutrient release, ensuring nutrients remain available even in situations where irrigation is delayed or limited. This makes it particularly valuable during early-season periods or in regions where water availability is uncertain.

Another key advantage is the reduction of nutrient losses. By controlling the release of nutrients, Agromaster® minimizes leaching caused by rainfall or irrigation, improving overall nutrient use efficiency and contributing to more sustainable production systems.

Why Is Nitrogen Management Critical in Woody Crops?

Nitrogen plays a central role in vegetative growth and yield formation, but its management must be precise. Excess nitrogen can lead to excessive vegetative growth, increasing pruning requirements and potentially reducing fruit quality. On the other hand, insufficient nitrogen can limit yield and overall crop performance.

Agromaster® provides a controlled and balanced nitrogen supply, ensuring that nitrogen is available when the crop needs it most. This steady availability supports optimal growth without excessive vigour, helping growers achieve better fruit quality while managing canopy development more efficiently.

This approach is particularly beneficial in situations where fertigation is not feasible, allowing growers to maintain effective nutrient programs without relying on irrigation systems.

Which Agromaster® Formulations Are Suitable for Fruit Crops?

Different crops and growing conditions require tailored nutrient strategies. For fruit crops, Agromaster® NK+MgO+SO₃ is a widely recommended formulation. It contains a significant proportion of controlled-release nitrogen (around 30%), providing sustained nutrition over a 3–4 month period.

The elevated potassium content supports fruit size and quality, while magnesium plays a key role in photosynthesis and energy production. Together, these nutrients contribute to improved crop performance and consistency.

Another suitable option is Agromaster® NPK+CaO+SO₃, which provides a more balanced nutrient profile, including calcium. This can be particularly valuable in crops where fruit firmness and storage quality are important. Ultimately, the most appropriate formulation depends on the specific crop, soil conditions, and regional requirements.

Supporting Efficiency and Sustainability in Modern Agriculture

Agromaster® aligns with the increasing need for efficient and sustainable fertilization strategies. By improving nutrient use efficiency, it helps growers maximize the return on fertilizer inputs while reducing environmental impact.

Field trials have demonstrated measurable performance benefits. For example, in melon trials in France, Agromaster® increased yields by an average of 17% compared to conventional fertilization practices. In addition, studies in potato production on sandy soils Agromaster increased Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE), allowing for a 20% reduction in applied Nitrogen without yield loss. Based on ICL’s carbon footprint modeling, this efficiency gain equates to an 11% reduction in the total carbon footprint per kg of crop produced.

These results highlight the role of controlled-release technology in supporting both productivity and environmental responsibility, key priorities for modern agriculture.