When it comes to crop nutrition, growers tend to have similar goals: increase yield without compromising the health of the soil, air and water. Introducing new practices and tools into your operation can help you achieve these goals.
Nitrogen stabilizers are one such tool that can be implemented into your farm plans. Nitrogen stabilizers help to increase the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer, providing a greater ROI.
Should You Implement a Nitrogen Stabilizer?
“Farmers should consider using nitrogen stabilizers when they have higher risks of nitrogen loss,” said Sabrina Kirdie, Grow Team member at Twin Valley Co-op in Manitoba. “Using a stabilizer in a year with the right conditions will prevent a farm from needing to over-apply or account for fertilizer losses, and reduce total input application.”
Nitrogen stabilizers can also help farmers meet their 4R goals, a goal shared by Co-op Grow Team members and the Co-op Grown with Purpose program. “Placing fertilizer at the right place, with the right source of nutrient, at the right time, released at the right rate not only improves yields in the fall, it will increase the sustainability, and efficiency, of your operation,” said Kirdie.
How Nitrogen Stabilizers Work
Nitrogen stabilizers help prevent losses by inhibiting specific parts of the nitrogen cycle where nitrogen is typically lost or volatilized. This is done by inhibiting chemical processes that occur naturally in the soil. They are able to slow, or control nitrogen availability in the soil.
Two key classes of nitrogen stabilizers are urease inhibitors and nitrification inhibitors.
Urease inhibitors stop the enzyme urease from converting urea nitrogen into its gas state of ammonium. When present as ammonium, the nitrogen is easily lost from the soil.
Nitrification inhibitors are designed to target bacteria that consume nitrogen and help keep that nitrogen in the soil so that it can be consumed the following year by the next crop. Nitrification inhibitors also prevent the release of nitrogen as nitrate, which can then be lost into the atmosphere and/or waterways.
How to Choose The Right Nitrogen Stabilizer Product
Choosing a product that slows the N cycle might seem overwhelming. That’s where local Grow Team members aim to help. Grow Team members are constantly updating their skills and knowledge on a host of tools, products and practices to help their farm customers maximize efficiency and productivity.
“When choosing a stabilizer, you’ll want to consider the aspect of the nitrogen cycle you intend to inhibit. This is impacted by factors such as rainfall, length of season, and more,” said Kirdie. “A great place to start is to find a product that has a full functional rate of active ingredients.”
Urease inhibitors, like NBPT in Agrotain Advanced, require 0.6 kg NBPT/MT urea to be effective in blocking urease enzymes. Nitrification inhibitors, like DCD, require a rate close to 1% of nitrogen source. Rates less than this are not as effective and therefore not advised.
In the case of polymer coated fertilizer, Kirdie recommends working with your local Grow Team member to choose the product that is right for you. “Most polymer coatings are manufacturer-finished fertilizers that allow nutrients to be released as moisture and temperature break down the coating, a process that can also be affected by soil type.” For these products, the rate is less critical, but soil placement and moisture content are critical.
No matter which product you are interested in, Co-op’s Grow Team is always ready to help find the solution best suited to your operation. Contact your local Co-op Agro Centre to connect with a Grow Team member in your area.