Background

In modern agriculture, nitrogen fertilizer is integral for maintaining high crop yields. However, applying fertilizers optimally is crucial to avoid inefficiencies and environmental issues. Conventional fertilizers typically release nitrogen at a linear rate, while plants uptake nitrogen in a sigmoidal pattern. This mismatch often results in nitrogen losses, where unused nitrogen is either released as N2O gas, contributing to air pollution, or leached into water sources as nitrate, causing water pollution. To meet environmental sustainability goals, it is recommended to apply only as much nitrogen as necessary. However, in Illinois, the narrow window for field preparation in spring often pushes farmers to apply fertilizers in the fall, despite the higher risk of nitrogen losses. This situation necessitates innovative solutions that can align nitrogen release with plant uptake, minimize losses, and ensure sustainability without sacrificing crop yields, while allowing for the logistical ease of fall application.

Introducing HI-COTE: A New Generation of Coated Fertilizers

At the forefront of these innovations is HI-COTE, a revolutionary coated fertilizer set to launch in the fall of 2024. HI-COTE offers several advantages over conventional fertilizers like Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) or Anhydrous Ammonia:

1 . Potential for Furrow Application

HI-COTE can be applied below the planted corn furrow without causing burn symptoms, thanks to its sigmoidal nutrient release pattern. This prevents nutrient release when seeds are most vulnerable, ensuring optimal growth conditions.

2 . Enduring Winter Without Nitrogen Loss

HI-COTE's advanced coating technology allows for fall application, avoiding the busy and costly spring season. This ensures that nitrogen remains available to the plants when they need it, enduring the winter without significant losses.

3 . Advantages of Fall Application

• Efficiency and Convenience: By applying HI-COTE in the fall, farmers can avoid high rental costs and time constraints of the spring season, allowing them to focus their efforts on planting.
   

• Environmental Benefits: HI-COTE’s high nutrient efficiency reduces nitrogen pollution, aligning with sustainability goals.
   

• Yield Assurance: Research shows that HI-COTE can maintain conventional yields from methods such as UAN or Anhydrous application, even with reduced nitrogen rates, making it a viable alternative to UAN and Anhydrous application.

Research Insights on HI-COTE Application

Extensive research has been conducted to compare the performance of HI-COTE with conventional fertilizers. The findings are encouraging:

• Yield Performance: HI-COTE fertilizer achieved yields comparable to conventional UAN and UAN-Split applications, while improving environmental outcomes.

Figure 1. Comparison of Corn Yield and Nitrogen Usage: Conventional UAN Application vs. Hi-COTE (Source: Lee, D.
(2024). Harvest Results for Nousbo. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign)

 

Application Placement: HI-COTE's fall fertilization through furrow application achieves comparable yields without causing the burning symptoms often associated with other coated fertilizers.

Conclusion

The introduction of HI-COTE represents a significant advancement in agricultural fertilization. Its ability to release nutrients in a manner that aligns with plant uptake, endure winter conditions, and be applied in the fall without compromising yields, positions it as a game-changer for farmers. As we strive for more sustainable farming practices, HI-COTE stands out as a promising solution that not only meets the environmental goals but also ensures high productivity. Keep an eye out for HI-COTE, the next generation of coated fertilizers, hitting the market in the fall of 2024.

Original press release source : https://www.farmprogress.com/crop-protection/the-future-of-nitrogen-fertilization-introducing-hi-cote