Introduction to the Next Fertilizer System™

The gradual release of nutrients is of vital importance to the growth of good quality crops and critical to the effectiveness of fertilization. A good start and an even growth pattern are desirable but what conventional fertilizers provide is like a shock treatment. Stop/go growth patterns, less than optimal growth at the beginning and an undernourished plant with less than optimal strength during later stages are the result. Additional fertilization during growth is only a partial cure.

During the last 30 years there have been many attempts to obtain crop optimisation through controlled release. Most were only successful in one specific nutrient. DMPP, for instance, is a urease inhibitor but not effective in preventing fixation of P in the soil. ATS was also tested. Polyphosphate-based materials were tried as a means to counter the formation of solid phosphoric compounds in the soil but they were not effective in preventing essential nutrients other than nitrogen (Mg, Mn, S and B) from being chemo-physically bound to the soil particles.

Basics of fertilization

The following minerals play a crucial role in the development of good quality crops:

P in a form (H₂PO₄^-) in which it is accessible to the plant is necessary to produce a good root system right at the beginning of the season. P is also needed to encourage an optimum start to the development of the crop.

N as ammonium must be present at the same time as P while nitrite must be present in the soil into which the P is to be taken up. Ca is required at the time when it can be taken up through the roots and transported straight into the new growth. Continued growth throughout the entire season enhances the quality of the crop; interruptions in the chemical processes lead to a distorted structure.

The balance (ratio) between nutrients such as K, Mg and N is very important.

Comparing traditional fertilizers with the Next Fertilizer System™

In the case of traditional fertilizer the nutrients are nearly always present in a chemical form which means that the plants absorb all of them at the same time, directly after being applied to the plant. Once in the soil they change rapidly. N changes into nitrate, for instance, P is bound in the soil and metals react to form oxides or other compounds, making them unavailable to the plants. Water tends to carry away if not all, at least a part of the applied fertilizer.

The proven solution lies in the complex chemical compound

The nutrients in Next Fertilizer System™ formulations are incorporated in complex compounds, where they are held in a ready-to-absorb form until they are released by the plants. At the same time the nutrients can be incorporated in a proportion best suited to the need of each crop type or soil situation.

The result is that P is held in an absorbable form for a long period, N is held and released as ammonium ions and bivalent metals are available over a long period. The formulation can be adjusted to establish the required stability and release period according to need.

The outcomes are multiple, diverse and far-reaching:
1. better utilization of the nutrients: higher yield or less use of fertilizer,
2. improvement in quality, which can result in
    a. lowered nitrate content of the crop,
    b. increased content of essential minerals,
    c. increased strength of the foliage and
    d. increased product for harvesting.

Soil fertilization

Colloids in the soil are negatively loaded and surrounded by positive metal and other ions. The root system uses its own chemistry to release the nutrients for its needs. By using positively charged complex compounds placed in contact with the colloids in the soil the nutrients stay available in a stable form and bivalent metals are released over a long period. The biggest part of the nutrition is given at the start. N as ammonium and P are the main components together with a mixture of micronutrients.

Fertilization through the leaves

It is very difficult to accurately estimate the need for nutrients from the very beginning. Second and third “false starts” need to be prevented, as well as development shortly before harvesting.  A quick, effective and efficient means of controlling the process has so far not been available. Neutral complex compounds are the solution. The nutrients are able to penetrate the leaf and can enter into it without causing leaf-burn. The nutrients in Next Fertilizer™ foliar application, especially N but also the micronutrients, are provided in a form that allows them to react immediately. Next Fertilizer™ foliar treatment offers an excellent tool for adjusting fertilization during growth.

Environmental effect

A major benefit of the Next Fertilizer System lies in the environmental effect of the Next complex compounds. Compared to conventional fertilizers, growers using Next Fertilizers can achieve the same yields, with 20-30% savings in nitrogen and 40-50% less phosphates applied. This helps farmers meet the strict legislative requirements of the European Nitrogen and Phosphorous Directives.

Next Fertilizer System™ for more and better potatoes

The Next Fertilizer System™, when used properly, gives you better quality and a higher yield of potatoes with a more effective use of minerals.

The nutrients in Next formulations are stable and bonded as complex compounds. This ensures a precisely controlled freeing of minerals as well as preventing loss.

The nutrients are made available in the most desirable form: with Next, nitrogen is made available as ammonium (NH₄⁺) and not as nitrate. Likewise, phosphate, magnesium, manganese, calcium, boron, etc. are much more readily taken up by the plant. With existing types of artificial fertilizer fixation, mineralization, washing out and nitrification diminish the effectiveness and efficiency. With Next these undesirable effects are eliminated: fewer minerals achieve greater effect.

The moment of their release fits in with the requirements of the plant. This means that early on in the season the appropriate nutrients become available for good root development and tuber formation such as phosphate (as H₂PO₄^-) with ammonium nitrogen. Later in the season other nutrients gradually become available for good growth continuation.

To be fully effective, it is necessary that the Next soil nutrient application is delivered in liquid concentration into the soil (row application).

Next Fertilizer™ foliar fertilizers are taken up in the leaf completely, rapidly and without risk. In addition to nitrogen also magnesium, boron or manganese can be applied.

A plant that has been treated with Next shows a very different type of development. The potato plant will not proliferate with too much foliage but instead will particularly have a much stronger root system. The potatoes are much more uniform in grade, have a stronger skin and more uniform starch content.

Advantages of Next Fertilizers in potatoes:

• better able to withstand stress (e.g. drought)
• more even growth
• more vital plants, more days of growth resulting in a higher yield
• better quality: more uniform sizes, fewer abnormalities, better skin quality
• fewer diseases and pests because of stronger plants
• better utilisation of minerals: reduced losses and better utilization of animal manure
• better storage properties

A fertilizer strategy as well as the composition of the Next nutrition package can be made to measure, so that it is best suited to your conditions (soil type, variety, use of animal manure, etc.). Next has a proven record with seed potatoes as well as table and factory potatoes for the packaged and hot chip industry.

Extensive Next Fertilizer™ crop results from actual practice are available. Feel free to contact us for advice designed specifically to suit your own requirements.

Next Fertilizer System™ for better silage from fodder grasses

Next Fertilizer System™ improves the yield and quality of your fodder grasses with a more effective use of minerals.
The plant nutrients in Next Fertilizer formulations are inhibited in so called complex compounds. This ensures a precisely controlled release of minerals to meet the crop requirements in volume and timing as well as the prevention from losses through leaching of nitrates and fixation of phosphates.
Next Fertilizers allow you to choose the optimum balance between nitrogen, phosphor, magnesium, manganese, sulphur, zinc and other nutrients, not only to meet the crop requirements throughout the growing season, but also to steer accurately the total volumes of minerals in combination with slurry applications. Through the improved efficiency of Next Fertilizers you will be able to meet the new EU-directives on nitrogen and phosphor while increasing yield and improving quality; with fewer minerals you will achieve a better effect.

The form and moment of their release fits in with the requirements of the plant. This means that early in the season the appropriate nutrients will become available for the improved root development, such as phosphate (as H2PO4-) with ammonium nitrogen (NH4+) and only small volumes of nitrate (NO3-) for early spring development. Later on in the season, other nutrients gradually become available for good growth continuation.

For maximum performance, Next soil nutrient application is to be delivered in concentrated liquid form into the soil (row application) or dribbled out on the crop.

The increased nutrient efficiency of Next Fertilizers helps to reduce the total input of nitrogen and phosphate and therefore allows the farmer to balance the total organic and mineral fertilizer application, within the EU nitrogen and phosphor directives, while increasing yield and improvising fodder quality.

Advantages of Next Fertilizer System in Fodder Grasses

• stronger root system and increased biological soil activity
• higher yield through stronger and even growth throughout the growing period
• lower nitrate content: better silage quality and digestibility, reduced losses
• better uptake of micronutrients for better plant development and animal health
• higher nutrient efficiency; better utilisation of minerals from both slurry and fertilizer
• number of fertilizer applications reduced from 5 or 6 (after each cut) to 3 or 2
• stronger plants result in fewer diseases and pests
• stronger sward, better resistance to damage and less weeds

The use of Next Fertilizers reduces the nitrate content of grass silage, resulting in a better silage process and reduced nutrient losses. The reduced nitrate content will also increase fodder uptake, digestibility and improve animal health (less acidosis). In addition, Next Fertilizers will increase the uptake of (micro-) elements that are essential for the grass crop or the cattle fed on it, e.g. calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, boron and cobalt. 

Next Fertilizer™ foliar formulations are taken up by the leaf completely, rapidly and without risk. In addition to nitrogen also magnesium, boron or manganese can be applied through the leaves, e.g. to boost grass production in summer.

A full season fertilizer strategy as well as the composition of the Next nutrition package can be adapted to ensure that it is best suited to your conditions regarding soil type and condition, nutrient balance, use of animal manure, grazing and mowing regimes etc.

Feel free to contact us for advice designed specifically to suit your own requirements.

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Introduction to Humistar®

The product is a natural humic conditioner, obtained from American Leonardite and presented in the form of a soluble liquid (SL), that improves the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the soil. The use of the product allows the medium (soil) in which the crops are grown to be improved and transformed, facilitating the availability and assimilation of the nutrients by the crops.

AGRONOMICAL ADVANTAGES OF HUMISTAR – HUMIFIRST
• The following advantages and benefits are remarkable:

1) Formation and development of an optimum and improved root system, capable of utilising the resources available in the soil (fertilizers, nutrients, water, etc.).
The excellent results obtained in terms of yield and quality, in various official tests conducted by Tradecorp have confirmed these qualities.

2) It is a key element in the formation of the clay-humic compound of the soil, facilitating the improvement of soil structure and increasing cation exchange capacity. This phenomenon was demonstrated in the tests carried out by Tradecorp in 2004 with the University of Cordoba (Spain).

3) It optimises and increases the efficiency of different resources existing for the crops (e.g. fertilizers, nutrients, water, etc.) increasing the bio-availability of phosphorous and various micronutrients by means of the formation of stable compounds. It also increases the retention surface of soluble fertilizers avoiding losses due to cleaning and reduces the blockages and antagonisms between the different nutrients due to the buffer effect. It has been proved, by means of different tests, that Humistar - Humifirst increases the assimilation and absorption of nutrients by the crops.

4) Immediate use of the product and greater speed in its action with regard to other conditioners such as manure. Also, as opposed to other traditional organic conditioners, humic acids are organic substances that are persistent in the soil, which do not disappear once mineralisation has been completed, thus allowing a real recovery of the organic matter in the soils.

5) Greater ease and convenience in handling, time saving and greater profitability since the use of Humistar – Humifirst substitutes the traditional contributions of manure, supplying organic matter that is totally active.

6) Versatility and time saving application as they are ideal products for drip irrigation systems due to their convenience, achieving complete solubility without causing obstructions in the dripping devices.

7) It integrally improves the fertility of the soils physical characteristics (development of a good crumb structure by the formation of aggregates, aeration, humidity retention, respiration and metabolism stimulus, drainage, etc.); chemical characteristics (increase in cation exchange capacity, decrease in poisonous effects of toxic agents, recovery of insoluble phosphorus, etc.) and biological characteristics (microbial life, promotion of cell division, etc.) of the soil.

8) Reduction in environmental impact since it reduces the cleansing of nitrates and fixes heavy metals.

9) A safe and natural product containing no heavy metals, sodium, chlorine or weed seeds, with a total absence of phytotoxicity.

10) Efficient response to hydric stress increasing the capacity to retain water in different soil types. The tests carried out in 2004 in collaboration with the University of Cordoba (Spain) proved the effect of the product on the capacity for retention of water.

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