Nutrient management is the cornerstone of sustainable and successful farming practices. Plants need nutrients to grow and complete their life cycle. While nutrients may initially be present in soil, they deplete over time. Fertilizers are crucial for replenishing the nutrients needed for optimal plant growth. Growers and agronomists must balance the dual objectives of maximizing crop yields and minimizing environmental impact. Responsible fertilizer use leads to healthier crops and higher yields and contributes to environmental conservation.

Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) play a key role in achieving this balance by offering a more efficient and sustainable way to nourish crops. It allows farmers to precisely identify the nutrients needed at different growth stages, boosting crop yields, health, and quality while minimizing unnecessary applications and reducing risks like nutrient leaching, runoff, or mineralization. In this context, CRFs emerge as essential tools for efficient nutrient management.

Why CRFs Matter in Modern Agriculture?

Nutrient management may sound straightforward, but execution involves complex calculations. For instance, simply employing nitrogen does not guarantee its availability when plants need it, as plants assimilate nutrients progressively over time. To address these challenges, farmers often schedule fertilizer applications to better align with crop requirements, such as splitting applications throughout the season. 

Techniques like fertigation can help but are not suitable for all crop systems. Nutrients from fertilizers can be lost through leaching, erosion, or other means, posing financial setbacks and environmental risks.  Judicious use of fertilizers is vital for farmers to sustain their crops. CRFs offer a sustainable solution, as they release nutrients in a controlled manner, targeting the different growth phases of plants.

What are Controlled-release Fertilizers?

Controlled-release fertilizers have a semi-permeable coating that slowly releases nutrients into the rooting zone. Nutrients gradually become available to plants as they grow, matching their nutrient needs throughout the growing period. The amount of nutrients distributed is affected by soil temperature, adjusting to the growth rate of plants. With increasing soil temperature, plant growth and nutrient release from CRFs increase correspondingly.

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CRFs differ from slow-release fertilizers (SLFs) in that SLFs are influenced by multiple factors such as temperature, water, soil pH, and microbial activity. CRFs’ nutrient release is primarily influenced by temperature, thus making CRFs more predictable. Controlled-release fertilizers (CRF’s) enhance the efficiency of nutrient management, eliminating the need for multiple split applications throughout the season, and allowing growers to make a single application that lasts all season long.

The History of Controlled-release Fertilizers

In 1842, Sir John Bennet Lawes made a groundbreaking contribution to agriculture by patenting a process for converting phosphate rock into superphosphate, marking the birth of the artificial fertilizer industry. This innovation laid the groundwork for the first Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) Osmocote^®, in 1967. Osmocote^® revolutionized the fertilizer market with its gradual nutrient release, enabling higher crop yields and more efficient land use.

Since then, the controlled-release fertilizer market has expanded significantly, with a valuation of USD 2.2 billion in 2023. This growth reflects the substantial influence CRFs have had on global food production.

Fertilizer Coating Technology

Different formulations of polymer or resin coatings determine the release rate and interaction of CRFs within cropping systems. This versatility allows growers to tailor their nutrient management strategies to suit specific crop types and nutritional needs.

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Monitoring and Assessing Nutrient Release

• Determining nutrient needs for each crop.
• Understanding nutrient removal rates based on yield and field conditions.
• Soil and water testing to understand existing nutrient levels.
• In-season analysis through leaf and sap testing for real-time insights.
• Leveraging technology like NDVI, NDRE, and Red Edge sensors for early crop stress detection.
• Using planning and management tools for time-efficient fertilizer and crop protection applications.

ICL’s State-of-the-Art CRF with Biodegradable Coating: eqo.x

ICL Group, a leading global specialty minerals company, marked a significant milestone in sustainable agriculture with the introduction of eqo.x. This pioneering controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) technology has a biodegradable coating specifically designed for open-field agriculture. This innovative product, launched on September 15 last year, increases nutrient use efficiency (NUE) by up to 80% and significantly reduces nutrient loss.

eqo.x aligns with the impending European fertilizer standards set for 2026 and supports the EU’s Farm to Fork and Soil Strategy for 2030 by promising to halve nutrient loss by 2030. Applied to ICL’s Agromaster and Agrocote brands, this technology enhances crop yield, reduces nitrogen applications, and safeguards soil and groundwater quality.

Conclusion

Nutrient management is crucial for sustainable farming. Controlled-release fertilizers, with their advanced coating technology, represent a significant step forward in plant nutrition. They offer a cost-effective solution that enhances nutrient use efficiency, reduces labor and fuel costs, and promotes environmental sustainability.

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With the growing population, controlled-release fertilizers are an example of how farmers can do more with less, focusing on sustainable practices that preserve resources and the environment. As we continue to innovate in fertilizer technology, our commitment to sustainable agricultural practices ensures a healthier and more sustainable world for future generations.