5 Fertilizer Choices That Can Make or Break Nutrient Use Efficiency

Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is not simply a function of how much fertilizer is applied. It depends on how effectively nutrients are delivered, accessed, and utilized by the crop throughout the season.

Across our research, field trials, and agronomic experience, one message is consistent: NUE improves most when fertilizer strategies are aligned with soil conditions, crop stage, and application method.

Explore our top five fertilizer choices that consistently enhance nutrient use efficiency across cropping systems.

1. Controlled-Release Efficiency

Maximize efficiency over time with fewer applications.

Controlled-release fertilizers improve nutrient use efficiency (NUE) by matching nutrient release with crop demand over time. This helps reduce losses from leaching and volatilization while maintaining steady availability through key growth stages.

By stabilizing nutrient supply, controlled-release strategies improve uptake consistency, reduce application frequency, and simplify fertility programs without compromising performance. Nutrients are available when the crop needs them, reducing losses and supporting optimized yield.

ICL Solutions: Agriform Strawberry®, Agrocote®, Agroblen®

2. Foliar Efficiency

Add foliar nutrition to a spray pass for better uptake and ROI.

Foliar nutrition improves nutrient use efficiency by supplying nutrients directly through the leaf surface during periods of peak demand or when root uptake is limited by soil contraints or environmental stress.  This targeted approach helps maintain nutrient supply during critical growth stages.

When integrated with crop protection sprays, foliar applications increase operational efficiency by delivering nutrition without additional field passes. This targeted approach supports critical growth stages and helps improve yield and quality consistency.

ICL Solutions: Nova® foliar programs including Nova PULSE®, Nova ELEVATE®, Nova FLOW®, Nova FINISH® and X-TRA micronutrient formulations

3. Fertigation Efficiency

Deliver precise nutrition to the root zone for better uptake.

Fertigation improves nutrient use efficiency by placing nutrients directly into the active root zone in sync with crop demand. Nutrient form, solubility, and solution chemistry—particularly pH—play a critical role in uptake efficiency and nutrient availability.

Water-soluble fertilizers and acidifying technologies help reduce nutrient fixation, especially for phosphorus, and improve availability in high-pH or calcareous soils.

ICL Solutions: A range of fertigation fertilizers and targeted acidifiers like Nova PeKacid® and Agrolution® pHLow®

4. Soil Efficiency

BIOZ supports soil biology for better uptake under stress.

Soil biological activity drives nutrient cycling and availability, helping convert nutrients into plant-available forms and improving delivery to the root zone.Soil-applied biostimulants support microbial activity and strengthen the soil–root interface—especially during establishment or environmental stress—improving nutrient uptake efficiency without increasing fertilizer inputs.

ICL Solutions: BIOZ® Jet, BIOZ® Diamond

5. Multi-Nutrient Efficiency

Polysulphate delivers balanced 4-in-1 nutrition for improved NUE.

Balanced nutrition underpins efficient nutrient use. Sulfur, potassium, calcium, and magnesium all play essential roles in plant metabolism and nitrogen assimilation. When one of these nutrients is limiting, overall nutrient efficiency, especially nitrogen efficiency, is reduced.

Polysulphate® delivers all four nutrients in low salt, sulfate form with a gradual release profile that supports balanced nutrition, reduced nutrient losses, and improved nitrogen use efficiency across crops and soil types.

ICL Solution: Polysulphate®

Key Takeaway: Why Fertilizer Choice Drives Nutrient Use Efficiency

Improving nutrient use efficiency is not about a single input—it is about aligning fertilizer strategy across the season.

When nutrient form, delivery method, soil biology, and crop timing are integrated, more of what is applied is taken up and used by the crop. Controlled-release nutrition, foliar programs, precision fertigation, biological support, and balanced multi-nutrient systems all contribute to stronger performance and improved returns.

Fertilizer choices, when made strategically, become a key driver of efficiency, productivity and profitability and in today’s environment, getting more from every unit of nutrient applied is not optional… it’s essential.

◉ Looking to grow more with less? Connect with an ICL efficiency expert.