Three Critical Questions to Ask to Maximize Nutrient Use Efficiency

When margins are tight, it is beneficial to approach farming more like modern manufacturing. While we’re not building pickup trucks or tractors, we’re producing corn, soybeans, almonds, watermelons or another crop, and the economic principle is the same: understanding the cost of production is key to maximizing profit — while also making efficient, sustainable use of every input.

A vital measurement to benchmark and track over time is nutrient use efficiency (NUE) — the ability of plants to use fertilizer efficiently for growth and development. Two forces have driven the need to improve NUE. The first is the desire to reduce agriculture’s environmental impact — a direct result of increased regulations accelerating the need to reduce runoff and protect groundwater. The other is economic pressure to reduce costs and maximize yield, especially when crop prices are stagnant.

Just like calibrating machinery in a factory, there are ways to adjust to improve NUE. New fertilizers technologies can both reduce costs and increase efficiencies. Here are the three critical questions you should ask to optimize your crop’s potential and profit margin.

1. What does the soil need?

Soil is by far the most important raw material in crop production. It’s also the most complex and least understood. If you treat your soil like it’s a professional athlete — nurture it with the proper nutrients, ensure it gets the right amount and kind of rest — it will perform at a high level. But if its needs are ignored, as often happens, it will struggle to perform to its full potential.

The more we learn about soil and adjust our practices, the more we see productivity gains. When commercial fertilizers were introduced, yields skyrocketed, then eventually leveled off. We saw another jump with genetically modified seeds, but now we’ve plateaued again. The next big leap will come from truly understanding the complexities of the soil biome, including microbial organisms and how they interact with plants and fertilizer.

Soil tests that measure overall nutrient levels are a good starting point, but it’s important to take it a step further with tests — such as Bray P1, mehlich-3, and Olsen — and understand how much phosphorous is available for the plant to use. Using biostimulants and enhanced nutrient fertilizers such as BIOZ® Diamond can kickstart the soil biome to activate phosphorus mineralization and boost NUE. Incorporating acidifying fertilizer — like Agrolution pHLow® and Nova PeKacid® — can also help us make the most of soil-bound phosphorus. By lowering the pH of the soil, phosphorus is less likely to bind with calcium becoming more soluble and easier for plants to absorb.

2. How should fertilizer be applied?

Pouring more raw materials into a factory doesn’t necessarily mean production will increase. How fertilizer is applied can be just as important as how much is applied. Many commercial fertilizers are developed through chemical reactions that generate salts and chlorides. When added to the field, these salts can alter the chemistry and dry out the soil. An alternative is ICL’s Polysulphate®, an organic fertilizer that is mined from the earth and applied in its natural form. This ensures potassium, sulfur, and other critical nutrients are delivered at the right level without also adding unwanted elements. Sufficient sulfur improves nitrogen efficiency, and magnesium supports potassium transfer within the plant ICL PKpluS is also an optimal choice if growers are also looking for a boost of phosphorus, with the benefits of a gradual release, low-salt index Polysulphate.

Because roots can only absorb nutrients through water, jump starting the process by applying liquid fertilizer can be an excellent way to improve NUE. As a more precise delivery mechanism, liquid fertilizers like our Nova® line make an impact quickly because they reduce the time needed for mineralization. Likewise, micronutrients often support plants with nutrient transport and photosynthesis. Even in small amounts, micronutrients are critical for maximizing the effectiveness of your macronutrient investment and achieving optimal yield and crop quality. Incorporating micros — either as a foliar spray or through soil applications — further enhances this efficiency by supporting balanced nutrition and improving how well plants utilize applied nutrients.

3. When is the optimum time to apply fertilizer?

Once you have assessed your soil and developed a performance plan, you can fine tune your system to give the crop what it needs when it needs it most.

Applying starter fertilizer will position the nutrients close to the seed, which is especially beneficial in colder soils. CHALLENGE is a “root builder” that helps to get plants off to a strong start by enhancing root development and nutrient uptake.

Later in the season, foliar application can be incredibly efficient. As we continue to learn about soil biology, we’re also discovering that the leaf surface has its own biology. If the leaves are fed correctly, nutrients are directed into the plant more precisely than by broadcasting or banding fertilizers. Mid-season can be a critical time to apply nutrients like potassium, and key micronutrients like zinc, cobalt, molybdenum, and boron. The Nova foliar line includes products we recommend for foliar K and micronutrient nutrition. Nova ELEVATE®, with its high concentrations of molybdenum and cobalt, is ideal for early season use to enhance nitrogen efficiency and yield, while Nova PULSE® offers a well-rounded nutrient mix with molybdenum, cobalt, zinc, magnesium, and sulfur for overall support. Combined with Nova FLOW®, the benefits are even greater. In the later season, Nova FINISH®, with 40% potassium, helps maintain yield and quality.

Controlled release fertilizers are another option that helps maximize NUE and minimize loss throughout the growing season, by providing a steady, regulated supply of nutrients to plants over time.

Final Thoughts

By addressing these three critical performance areas — understanding soil needs, optimizing application methods, and timing nutrients strategically — growers can significantly enhance NUE and experience environmental and economic benefits. Being a good steward means taking care of land, as well as being an effective business manager, so that the farm can continue to thrive for years to come — and hit homeruns through the process.