NITROGEN RETENTION

Nitrogen applied on farm can be lost through a number of channels. A majority of losses occur as nitrogen cycles through it’s various forms

Loss pathways

  • It occurs when applied nitrogen, in the form of urea, converts into gaseous ammonia and escapes into the atmosphere. This process can lead to a loss of valuable nitrogen for crops.

  • Soil bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas, releasing it into the air. This process depletes crucial nitrogen for crops and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Leaching on farms refers to the downward movement of nutrients like nitrogen through the soil, potentially reaching groundwater or water bodies. This can result in nutrient loss and water pollution, affecting both crop productivity and environmental quality.

Managing Nitrogen Loss

Green Urea

Surface applying urea?

IPF’s Green Urea plays an important part in supporting farms pursing improved on-farm nutrient use efficiency by reducing potential nitrogen loss as a result of volatalisation.

eNpower

Sub-surface applying Nitrogen?

When incorporating nitrogen into the soil, IPF’s patented eNpower plays an important part in improving availability of nitrogen by slowing down the nitrogen cycle, potentially reducing losses and increasing plant availability.

eNpower + Easy N

Applying liquid nitrogen?

IPF’s Easy N is the easiest way to apply nitrogen on farm. We are pleased to now offer eNpower + Easy N, the easiest way to protect the nitrogen you spread on farm.

THATS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE

Reducing the loss of nitrogen on farm is the backbone of improving nutrient use efficiency. We believe our range of nitrogen retention products are a great option that can have a big impact on increasing the nitrogen available to your crops, maximising the return from your investment, and looking out for the environment. We think that’s something to celebrate

Surface appling urea?

Protect it with Green Urea

When surface applying Urea, IPF agronomists and scientists recommend optimising your nutrient use efficiency and investment by considering if the NBPT inhibitor Green Urea is the right retention product for your farm.

    • When surface applying Urea or Urea blends.

    • High risk of volatilisation; factors such as alkaline soils, warm temperatures, or dry conditions.

    • Reducing Nitrogen Loss, when the goal is to reduce nitrogen loss and maximise the efficiency of nitrogen fertiliser applications.

    • Environmental Stewardship: For environmentally conscious farming practices and to minimise nitrogen pollution, including reducing ammonia emissions.

    • Operation efficiency: Green Urea can increase the window ahead of rain events that Urea can be spread.

  • When Urea is applied on farm, it moves through the “Nitrogen Cycle”.

    The nitrogen cycle involves changing forms to move through living and non-living entities like atmosphere, soil, water, plants, animals, and soil micro-organisms.

    The enzyme Urease occurs naturally in soil. Urease consumes the urea nitrogen and converts it to Ammonium (NH4) and Ammonia (NH3)

    Ammonia under the right conditions is subject to volatalisation into the atmosphere

    The active ingredient in Green Urea - N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) inhibits the urease enzymes activity, delaying the volatalisation process.

    The extent of nitrogen loss through volatilisation depends on several factors, including soil pH, temperature, moisture, and the presence of certain nitrification inhibitors. High soil pH, warm temperatures, and excessive soil moisture can increase the risk of ammonia volatilisation.

  • By delaying the conversion of urea into ammonium it is held in the form of Urea for longer. This reduces the reliance on post-spreading moisture and lowers the risk of nitrogen loss as ammonia to the atmosphere. This makes more nitrogen available to the plant when needed for longer.

Subsurface applying nitrogen?

Protect it with eNpower

When incorporating a nitrogen fertiliser into the soil profile, IPF agronomists and scientists suggest considering a DMP inhibitor to optimising your nutrient use efficiency and investment. The DMP inhibitor recommended by IPF is eNpower

    • When incorporating nitrogen based fertilisers into the soil profile

    • When a high risk of denitrification exists, including compacted, waterlogged, or poorly aerated soils.

    • When the risk of leaching exists, including in sandy soils or areas with high rainfall.

    • Environmental Stewardship: For environmentally conscious farming practices, to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, particularly reducing nitrous oxide emissions.

    • Reducing Nitrogen Loss, when the goal is to reduce nitrogen loss and maximise the efficiency of nitrogen fertiliser applications.

    • When nitrogen is applied on farm, it moves through the “Nitrogen Cycle”.

    • The nitrogen cycle involves changing forms to move through living and non-living entities like atmosphere, soil, water, plants, animals, and soil micro-organisms.

    • The bacteria Nitrosomas occurs naturally in soil. Nitrosomas plays the role converting the nitrogen in the Ammonia (NH3) into Nitrite (NO2-)

    • Nitrite is subject to further conversion into Nitrate which is prone to loss as Nitrous Oxide (N2O) through Denitrification or Nitrate directly as a result of leaching

    • The active ingredient in eNpower DMP (3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate) slows down the Nitrosomas activity holding the nitrogen in the soil for longer for use by the crop or pasture

    • The extent of nitrogen loss through denitrification or leaching depends on several factors, including soil texture and structure, moisture, presence of organic matter and root depth as well as management practices.

  • By delaying the conversion of ammonia into nitrite and therefore nitrate, you can maintaining the nitrogen in the soil profile for longer, ensuring greater availability to plants.

    Losses of nitrogen as a result of the nitrogen cycle with vary depending on a number of conditions. The benefit of eNpower will vary farm to farm based on these factors, and use should be discussed with your agronomic advisor.

Applying Liquid Nitrogen?

Protect it with eNpower EAsy N

When spreading liquid fertiliser, IPF agronomists and scientists suggest considering a DMP inhibitor to optimise your nutrient use efficiency and investment. The Liquid DMP inhibitor recommended by IPF is eNpower + Easy N

    • When spreading Easy N onto your soil profile

    • When a high risk of denitrification exists, including compacted, waterlogged, or poorly aerated soils.

    • When the risk of leaching exists, including in sandy soils or areas with high rainfall.

    • Environmental Stewardship: For environmentally conscious farming practices, to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, particularly reducing nitrous oxide emissions.

    • Reducing Nitrogen Loss, when the goal is to reduce nitrogen loss and maximise the efficiency of nitrogen fertiliser applications.

    • When nitrogen is applied on farm, it moves through the “Nitrogen Cycle”.

    • The nitrogen cycle involves changing forms to move through living and non-living entities like atmosphere, soil, water, plants, animals, and soil micro-organisms.

    • The bacteria Nitrosomas occurs naturally in soil. Nitrosomas plays the role converting the nitrogen in the Ammonia (NH3) into Nitrite (NO2-)

    • Nitrite is subject to further conversion into Nitrate which is prone to loss as Nitrous Oxide (N2O) through Denitrification or Nitrate directly as a result of leaching

    • The active ingredient in eNpower DMP (3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate) slows down the Nitrosomas activity holding the nitrogen in the soil for longer for use by the crop or pasture

    • The extent of nitrogen loss through denitrification or leaching depends on several factors, including soil texture and structure, moisture, presence of organic matter and root depth as well as management practices.

  • By delaying the conversion of ammonia into nitrite and therefore nitrate, you can maintaining the nitrogen in the soil profile for longer, ensuring greater availability to plants.

    Losses of nitrogen as a result of the nitrogen cycle with vary depending on a number of conditions. The benefit of eNpower will vary farm to farm based on these factors, and use should be discussed with your agronomic advisor.

Working with growers

If you are interested in understanding more about nitrogen loss on your farm, or how to control it, reach out to our farm services specialists