Four Ways to Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency while Mitigating Weather Extremes

Mother Nature doesn’t fight fair.

The most frustrating thing about agriculture is that the weather is the single biggest factor affecting our lives, but there is precious little we can do about it. Extreme weather events – from derechos in the Midwest to historic droughts in the West – further compound the everyday stress of planning for the unpredictable.

Through innovation, growers have access to tools that help level the playing field. We used to faithfully tune into the radio at the top and bottom of the hour to hear the latest weather report. Now, we have instant access to detailed forecasts whenever we want.

Mother Nature is still hard to predict, but we can outsmart her with a tactical approach to crop fertility management. Let’s look at four options to help mitigate the impact of weather.

Fall Application

One way to avoid delays caused by a wet spring is to apply nutrients in the fall, which usually offers drier weather and better access to fields post-harvest. Mild fall days are an ideal time to incorporate nutrients, setting the stage for robust root development for the next growing season.

Adequate nutrition in the fall is especially important for orchards as they are assimilating nutrients and forming buds for next year’s flowers, fruits or nuts.

The biggest challenge – making sure that the nutrients we put down in the fall are available in the spring – can be overcome through solutions like ICL’s Polysulphate®. This multi-nutrient fertilizer, containing potassium, sulfur, calcium and magnesium, releases gradually, minimizing nutrient loss. In fact, a recent trial showed that fall-applied Polysulphate® helped achieve notable increases in corn yield.

Controlled Release Fertilizers

Controlled release fertilizers (CRF) are urea or multi-nutrient granules coated with polymer or resin that allow critical nutrients to be released into the soil at the right time and right rate. Temperature and moisture help initiate and regulate the release.

CRFs give growers flexibility to work around weather conditions with a wider timeframe for application. When nutrients are released over time, rather than all at once, they align with crop demand to offer optimal nutrient uptake.

CRFs are often incorporated into the soil, minimizing runoff, and the coating reduces the risk of leaching, lowering the potential impact of heavy rain events. CRF efficiency and reduced nutrient loss mean growers can lower the application rates and still maintain strong yields.

Foliar Application

Applying liquid fertilizer directly to the leaves, e.g. foliar application, is a flexible option to address deficiencies, enhance photosynthesis and alleviate stress symptoms. While common in specialty crop production, foliar application is becoming more popular in row crops as farmers adopt easy to implement and relatively low cost in-season management approaches to maximize yield and ROI.

Foliar application also helps mitigate weather risks by ensuring vital nutrients are readily available when plants need them most. For soybeans and corn, demands skyrocket as they transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. Mid-season foliar applications deliver micronutrients like zinc and molybdenum, as well macros like potassium, that support flowering, pod set and grain fill. Read more about how foliar application of Nova PULSE™ and Nova FINISH™ led to an average yield response of more than seven bushels/acre in soybeans.

Biostimulants & Enhanced Nutrient Fertilizers 

Biostimulants do not add nutrients to the soil. Instead, they are designed to boost plant growth and performance while helping plants access and utilize nutrients in their environment. Biostimulants and enhanced nutrient fertilizers such as ICL’s BIOZ® help plants withstand heat and drought – giving the crop an edge no matter the weather.

We may be subject to the weather’s whims, but we do not have to be at Mother Nature’s mercy. Planning ahead and utilizing crop fertility options can help lessen the impact of extreme weather events on yields and the bottom line.