The ADAS Nutrition Challenge 2023 has reportedly shown the benefits of controlled-release crop nutrition programmes when compared against RB209 and ADAS recommendations.
The project took place at sites in Norfolk and Yorkshire, to test a range of spring nutrition projects and identify new ways to maximise yield and minimise input costs.
Benchmarking plots saw nitrogen applications of 220kg per hectare in Yorkshire, and 160kg in Norfolk in line with RB209. ADAS recommendation plots increased this to 286kg in Yorkshire and 222kg in Norfolk.
Timac Agro entered the challenge with phased-released nitrogen and phosphorus, using Sulfammo and TOP-PHOS. Nitrogen was applied to winter wheat at 201kg in Yorkshire and 141kg in Norfolk. David Newton, technical manager, explained:
“Our Yorkshire trial achieved a yield of 10.21t/ha, which came in marginally above RB209 at 10.08t/ha but lower than the ADAS experts’ high-N program at 11.16t/ha.
“Similarly in Norfolk, our trial achieved a higher yield than RB209 at 9.75t/ha compared to 9.51t/ha. However, in this scenario, the Timac Agro recommendation considerably outperformed ADAS experts, which came in at 8.41t/a.”
He added that there were trends evident at both sites regarding nitrogen uptake and use efficiencies.
“In Yorkshire, ADAS YEN have assessed that our trial delivered 0.65 N uptake efficiency, outperforming RB209 at 0.61 and ADAS at 0.59. Similarly in Norfolk, they report that our plot achieved 0.67, whereas RB209 and ADAS came in lower at 0.58 and 0.42 respectively,” he said.
“The YEN team have measured that our Yorkshire scenario achieved a higher NUE of 33.75% compared to 30.96% for RB209 and 27.68% for ADAS. In Norfolk, the pattern continues for us coming out on top at 35.47% NUE, compared to RB209 at 31.93% and ADAS at 22.68%.”
In conclusion, David explained that while the yield differences were marginal in some cases, the overall results showed that lower rates of high-quality, controlled-release nitrogen enabled growers to maintain yield, while reducing the carbon footprint.
“These results show the relative efficiency of N is superior when applying high-performing, gradual release fertilisers. For instance, in the Norfolk trial, applying 81kg less N than the ADAS recommendation resulted in a 13% higher yield.
“Our controlled-release N and P technologies offer protection against pH related losses, and prevent volatilisation and leaching, all the while improving soil health year-after-year, so subsequent applications can be further reduced.”
For more information go to uk.timacagro.com