Why Plant Nutrition

Seeing slow plant growth, yellowing leaves or stunted plants early in your plants’ life cycle? You may have a nitrogen-loss problem, otherwise known as leaching. Nitrogen is essential to plant growth, and your soil composition could be contributing to nitrogen loss. Nitrogen management aids can help protect your nitrogen, make nitrogen available to plants for longer and reduce leaching. When inputs are kept in the root zone, plants are likely to grow faster. For best results, choose an aid formulated for your crop and preferred application method to ensure you get the most out of your nitrogen.

Seeing lower than normal leaf index and/or leaf rolling? You may be experiencing drier than normal conditions. When water isn’t readily available, encouraging the plant to use the water it has is important. With the right mix of macro- and micronutrients, you can improve a plant’s ability to hold water, increase water translocation and reduce evaporation in soil. Organic acids provide the right mix of nutrients to help plant development when it is dry. This also allows plants to build a larger leaf surface to capture sunlight and produce more energy.

Seeing poor grain fill and retention? You may have a pollination problem, extreme heat and/or a boron deficiency. Late in a plant’s life cycle, the highest nutrient demand comes right at grain fill. If nutrients aren’t available during this critical time, your yield may suffer. Boron is essential for proper plant development. During pollination, it opens up pollen tubes and moves sugars to aid in fruit quality and development throughout the plant. Boron also protects against pod abortion, increasing flowering and grain retention.

Seeing poor root and nodule growth when pulling early plant samples? You may have a moisture or seedling disease problem caused by cold temperatures. Plants receive limited nutrients when soil temps drop below favorable zones. Fertilizers with proper levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can supplement a seedling with the right nutrition, promoting growth and increased plant vigor. In-furrow or seed treatment applications place this concentration of nutrients directly in the seed zone, ensuring plants have early access to vital nutrients and extending yield capability.