Understanding Nutrient Use Efficiency

Nutrient use efficiency is crucial to increasing crop yield while getting the most out of fertilizer investments. It begins with availability. As the plant grows, it needs nutrients available to help it build the root system and physiological mechanisms to manage leaf, root, stalk and reproductive systems.

As growth continues, nutrient demand makes uptake critically important. As crops enter rapid growth phases and begin to establish potential yield during the reproduction period, they require more advanced crop nutrition than at the beginning or end of their life cycles. This midseason time frame represents aggressive growth, which requires aggressive nutrient uptake.

Ross Bender, Ph.D., director for new product development at Mosaic, discusses nutrient use efficiency and its impact on agriculture.

Describe nutrient use efficiency and what it means for growers?

A: Nutrient use efficiency refers to the increased availability of nutrition in the soil so crops can take up and utilize those nutrients for optimal yield and quality. Improving nutrient use efficiency for your crops, especially at the start of the growing season, can improve season-long plant growth and vigor.

Why is nutrient use efficiency important for growers and their operations?

A: Nutrient use efficiency is crucial for sustainable agriculture as it helps maximize crop productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Efficient nutrient use ensures that plants receive adequate nutrients for optimal growth, reducing the need for excessive fertilizer application and mitigating nutrient runoff and pollution.

How can growers increase nutrient use efficiency?

A: Growers can increase nutrient use efficiency through various practices, including:

• Soil test and develop a nutrient management plan to determine needs.
• Apply slow-release fertilizers to gradually provide nutrients over the crop’s growth stages.
• Incorporate cover crops to improve soil structure and nutrient availability.
• Apply a biological product specified for nutrient use enhancement.

What are the benefits of improving nutrient use efficiency?

A: Improving nutrient use efficiency offers several benefits, both immediate and long term:

• Increased uptake of nutrients in the plant.
• Increased crop yields and productivity potential.
• Enhanced soil health.
• Higher returns on fertilizer investments.
• Improved long-term on-farm sustainability.

Learn more about nutrient use efficiency and Mosaic technologies?

Growers can speak with their local retailer to learn more about improving nutrient use and uptake in their crops and to learn more about what product would work best for their operation. Mosaic has developed a strong line of nutrient use enhancement technologies to meet the various needs of growers.