Fertilizer is getting a lot of attention from the agribusiness industry and farmers alike. With volatile prices and supply, farmers are evaluating ways to reduce fertilizer use, and the industry is evaluating alternatives to fill the gaps for farmers. Where is the common ground between farmer needs while still achieving high yields and agribusiness industry alternative opportunities.
Grower Reasons for Reducing Fertilizer Use
- Economic pressures
Economic pressures, including low commodity prices, are resulting in the need to cut production costs anywhere possible. Increasing cost of all production inputs, but especially fertilizer costs over the past few years, are motivating producers to consider reducing fertilizer use. All three macronutrients N, P and K are experiencing escalating or highly volatile prices. Fertilizer is one of the largest and most volatile production expenses for farmers. Even modest swings in fertilizer costs can change the ROI outlook. This stimulates increased consideration of what a farmer can survive without for this season. - Regulatory pressure to reduce fertilizer use
While federal law inhibits most federal regulation of fertilizers, it leaves regulation of fertilizers to the states. Many states are closely scrutinizing perceived overuse of fertilizers and implementing regulations to motivate farmers to reduce the use of fertilizers to manage contamination of surface and groundwater. There are also federal programs to encourage farmers to reduce fertilizer use and adopt alternative practices to reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. - Shortage of fertilizer supplies
Farmers are dealing with high fertilizer prices but also shortages even if they have prebooked supplies for this year’s crop. One report states that 30% of the global supply for Nitrogen and Phosphate passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Some farmers who booked needed supplies in advance now are uncertain of how much of their supply will be deliverable. Globally crops are removing more potassium from the soil than is being replenished. An estimated 20% of agricultural soils are facing severe potassium deficiency. The U.S. imports roughly 97% of its potassium needs. Supply uncertainties are always present. Off-shore dependance on such a high percentage of a critical input can lead to long term volatility in supply even when the price is acceptable. Research programs will increasingly look at alternative practices to reduce reliance on unpredictable supplies.
Non-Synthetic Alternative Technologies
All three plant macro-nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium), in synthetic form, have potential to be partially replaced with alternative technologies, primarily biological in nature. There are also microbes that have shown potential to solubilize essential micronutrients iron, zinc, manganese, copper and boron.
Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria
Nitrogen fixing bacteria are often listed in two different groups: symbiotic and free-living. Symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria are associated with the plant and usually are in structures called nodules. These nodules occur on legumes, and many different species of symbiotic bacteria can fix nitrogen in legumes. Generally, each species of legume crop has different species of bacteria that work best to fix nitrogen symbiotically with that crop.
Common examples are:
- Soybeans: Bradyrhizobium japonicum
- Peas, Lentils, and Vetch: Rhizobium leguminosarum
- Alfalfa and Sweet Clover: Sinorhizobium meliloti
- Beans (Common, Navy, Pinto): Rhizobium phaseoli
- Lupins: Bradyrhizobium lupini
- Cowpeas, Peanuts, and Sunn Hemp: Bradyrhizobium spp. (often called the “Cowpea cross-inoculant”)
In non-leguminous crops such as corn, wheat, and rice, free living bacteria are used to fix nitrogen from the soil and atmosphere. Many species of bacteria have been shown to fix nitrogen on non-leguminous crops. Some of the more widely used bacteria for these crops are species in the genera Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus and Pseudomonas.
Examples of free-living nitrogen species include:
- Azospirillum brasilense: Associative nitrogen fixer for cereals (wheat, maize, rice)
- Azotobacter chroococcum: Free-living diazotroph for various crops
- Beijerinckia indica: Versatile nitrogen fixer providing 20-40 kg N/hectare
- Cyanobacteria (Anabaena, Nostoc): Particularly valuable in rice systems
Phosphate Enhancing Biologicals
Many soils contain abundant soil phosphorous, but 80-90% is chemically bound to aluminum, iron, calcium or magnesium. Phosphate solubilizing microbes produce organic acids that lower soil pH and form soluble complexes with phosphates. In addition to phosphate solubilizing bacteria, there are phosphate solubilizing fungi. Phosphate solubilizing fungi have higher organic acid production and greater environmental persistence due to spore formation.
Common examples are:
- Bacteria
- Bacillus megaterium (Prestia megaterium): Produces organic acids dissolving bound phosphates
- Bacillus polymyxa: Strong phosphate solubilization capability
- Bacillus subtilis: Multi-functional: phosphate solubilization + disease suppression
- Pseudomonas fluorescens: Produces multiple organic acids and phosphatases
- Fungi
- Trichoderma virdi: Phosphate solubilizer + biocontrol agent
- Aspergillus niger: Exceptional organic acid production
- Penicillium species: Effective phosphate solubilization
Potassium-Solubilizing Inoculants
This is a less recognized potential technology that is receiving increased attention. Some microbes produce organic acids and weathering enzymes that release potassium from silicate minerals.
Common examples are:
- Bacillus mucilaginosus: K-silicate weathering
- Bacillus edaphicus: Potassium mobilization
- Pseudomonas fluorescens K: K-solubilizing strain
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF)
AMF form symbiotic associations with plant roots resulting in extended acquisition range for available plant nutrients. They also facilitate nutrient exchange in roots.
Common examples are:
- Rhizophagus irregularis (formerly Acaulospora laevis)
- Funneliformis mosseae (formerly Glomus mosseae)
- Rhizophagus clarus (formerly Glomus clarum)
- Funneliformis coronatus
Impact of Fertilizer Alternatives on Crop Production
Free living nitrogen-fixing bacteria can provide 20-40 kg N/hectare per growing season and symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria can provide 100-300 kg N/hectare per growing season. One estimate is that nitrogen fixing inoculants can improve nitrogen use efficiency by 15 to 29% and reduce synthetic nitrogen fertilizer requirements by 25 to 50%. The specific response to an inoculant depends on the crop, environmental factors and residual nitrogen present prior to seeding.
Phosphate solubilizing bacteria can increase available phosphorus by 20-35%. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria can improve plant phosphorus uptake by 15-30%. Phosphate fertilizer reduction of 20-30% has been demonstrated. Phosphate solubilizing fungi have been shown to improve phosphate availability by 20-35%. Some phosphate solubilizing bacteria have been demonstrated to be synergistic with nitrogen fixers. Dual applications may be especially effective.
Potassium solubilizing bacteria have shown 15-25% increase in available potassium. Potassium solubilizing bacteria have shown particularly valuable in potassium deficient in K-deficient soils. Potassium solubilizing bacteria have shown potential to reduce k fertilizer requirements by 15-30%.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can increase phosphorus availability 20-40% and yield 15-25% . AMF have been reported as synergistic with other nutrient enhancing microbes, particularly nitrogen fixing bacteria.
Other crop improvements include.
- Some inoculants also improve iron availability, zinc uptake and availability of copper and magnesium.
- Some phosphate solubilizing fungi also produce accelerated decomposition of crop residue, and some also have biocontrol potential of specific plant pests.
- Some microbes applied to enhance nutrient availability also produce plant growth promoting hormones including auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins.
- The use of microbials to enhance nutrient level and availability can also reduce surface and groundwater pollution by releasing nitrogen at a rate the crop can uptake without excess to leach or runoff. Soil health is also impacted through increased levels of residual nutrients for subsequent crops.
All of the benefits of non-synthetic technologies for nutrient management in crop production have the potential to improve ROI through increased yields, reduced costs or both if managed properly.
To evaluate any fertilizer or alternative fertilizer innovation, reach out to AgriThority® to help you enhance your capabilities, expand your capacity and elevate your credibility. Our seasoned, strategic and scientific global network serves as an independent and collaborative resource devoted to product, business, and market development. We help overcome regulatory challenges, manage product development process, and establish connections for market access.
Fertilizer is getting a lot of attention from the agribusiness industry and farmers alike. With volatile prices and supply, farmers are evaluating ways to reduce fertilizer use, and the industry is evaluating alternatives to fill the gaps for farmers. Where is the common ground between farmer needs while still achieving high yields and agribusiness industry alternative opportunities.
Grower Reasons for Reducing Fertilizer Use
- Economic pressures
Economic pressures, including low commodity prices, are resulting in the need to cut production costs anywhere possible. Increasing cost of all production inputs, but especially fertilizer costs over the past few years, are motivating producers to consider reducing fertilizer use. All three macronutrients N, P and K are experiencing escalating or highly volatile prices. Fertilizer is one of the largest and most volatile production expenses for farmers. Even modest swings in fertilizer costs can change the ROI outlook. This stimulates increased consideration of what a farmer can survive without for this season. - Regulatory pressure to reduce fertilizer use
While federal law inhibits most federal regulation of fertilizers and leaves regulation of fertilizers to the states. Many states are closely scrutinizing perceived overuse of fertilizers and implementing regulations to motivate farmers to reduce the use of fertilizers to manage contamination of surface and groundwater. There are also federal programs to encourage farmers to reduce fertilizer use and adopt alternative practices to reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. - Shortage of fertilizer supplies
Farmers are facing high fertilizer prices but also shortages even if they have prebooked supplies for this year’s crop. One report states that 30% of the global supply for Nitrogen and Phosphate passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Some farmers who booked needed supplies in advance now are uncertain of how much of their supply will be deliverable. Globally crops are removing more potassium from the soil than is being replenished. An estimated 20% of agricultural soils are facing severe potassium deficiency. The U.S. imports roughly 97% of its potassium needs. Supply uncertainties are always present. Off-shore dependance on such a high percentage of a critical input can lead to long term volatility in supply even when the price is acceptable. Research programs will increasingly look at alternative practices to reduce reliance on unpredictable supplies.
Non-Synthetic Alternative Technologies
All three plant macro-nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium), in synthetic form, have potential to be partially replaced with alternative technologies, primarily biological in nature. There are also microbes that have shown potential to solubilize essential micronutrients iron, zinc, manganese, copper and boron.
Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria
Nitrogen fixing bacteria are often listed in two different groups: symbiotic and free-living. Symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria are associated with the plant and usually are in structures called nodules. These nodules occur on legumes, and many different species of symbiotic bacteria can fix nitrogen in legumes. Generally, each species of legume crop has different species of bacteria that work best to fix nitrogen symbiotically with that crop.
Common examples are:
- Soybeans: Bradyrhizobium japonicum
- Peas, Lentils, and Vetch: Rhizobium leguminosarum
- Alfalfa and Sweet Clover: Sinorhizobium meliloti
- Beans (Common, Navy, Pinto): Rhizobium phaseoli
- Lupins: Bradyrhizobium lupini
- Cowpeas, Peanuts, and Sunn Hemp: Bradyrhizobium spp. (often called the “Cowpea cross-inoculant”)
In non-leguminous crops such as corn, wheat, and rice, free living bacteria are used to fix nitrogen from the soil and atmosphere. Many species of bacteria have been shown to fix nitrogen on non-leguminous crops. Some of the more widely used bacteria for these crops are species in the genera Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus and Pseudomonas.
Examples of free-living nitrogen species include:
- Azospirillum brasilense: Associative nitrogen fixer for cereals (wheat, maize, rice)
- Azotobacter chroococcum: Free-living diazotroph for various crops
- Beijerinckia indica: Versatile nitrogen fixer providing 20-40 kg N/hectare
- Cyanobacteria (Anabaena, Nostoc): Particularly valuable in rice systems
Phosphate Enhancing Biologicals
Many soils contain abundant soil phosphorous, but 80-90% is chemically bound to aluminum, iron, calcium or magnesium. Phosphate solubilizing microbes produce organic acids that lower soil pH and form soluble complexes with phosphates. In addition to phosphate solubilizing bacteria, there are phosphate solubilizing fungi. Phosphate solubilizing fungi have higher organic acid production and greater environmental persistence due to spore formation.
Common examples are:
- Bacteria
- Bacillus megaterium (Prestia megaterium): Produces organic acids dissolving bound phosphates
- Bacillus polymyxa: Strong phosphate solubilization capability
- Bacillus subtilis: Multi-functional: phosphate solubilization + disease suppression
- Pseudomonas fluorescens: Produces multiple organic acids and phosphatases
- Fungi
- Trichoderma virdi: Phosphate solubilizer + biocontrol agent
- Aspergillus niger: Exceptional organic acid production
- Penicillium species: Effective phosphate solubilization
Potassium-Solubilizing Inoculants
This is a less recognized potential technology that is receiving increased attention. Some microbes produce organic acids and weathering enzymes that release potassium from silicate minerals.
Common examples are:
- Bacillus mucilaginosus: K-silicate weathering
- Bacillus edaphicus: Potassium mobilization
- Pseudomonas fluorescens K: K-solubilizing strain
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF)
AMF form symbiotic associations with plant roots resulting in extended acquisition range for available plant nutrients. They also facilitate nutrient exchange in roots.
Common examples are:
- Rhizophagus irregularis (formerly Acaulospora laevis)
- Funneliformis mosseae (formerly Glomus mosseae)
- Rhizophagus clarus (formerly Glomus clarum)
- Funneliformis coronatus
Impact of Fertilizer Alternatives on Crop Production
Free living nitrogen-fixing bacteria can provide 20-40 kg N/hectare per growing season and symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria can provide 100-300 kg N/hectare per growing season. One estimate is that nitrogen fixing inoculants can improve nitrogen use efficiency by 15 to 29% and reduce synthetic nitrogen fertilizer requirements by 25 to 50%. The specific response to an inoculant depends on the crop, environmental factors and residual nitrogen present prior to seeding.
Phosphate solubilizing bacteria can increase available phosphorus by 20-35%. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria can improve plant phosphorus uptake by 15-30%. Phosphate fertilizer reduction of 20-30% has been demonstrated. Phosphate solubilizing fungi have been shown to improve phosphate availability by 20-35%. Some phosphate solubilizing bacteria have been demonstrated to be synergistic with nitrogen fixers. Dual applications may be especially effective.
Potassium solubilizing bacteria have shown 15-25% increase in available potassium. Potassium solubilizing bacteria have shown particularly valuable in potassium deficient in K-deficient soils. Potassium solubilizing bacteria have shown potential to reduce k fertilizer requirements by 15-30%.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can increase phosphorus availability 20-40% and yield 15-25%. AMF have been reported as synergistic with other nutrient enhancing microbes, particularly nitrogen fixing bacteria.
Other crop improvements include.
- Some inoculants also improve iron availability, zinc uptake and availability of copper and magnesium.
- Some phosphate solubilizing fungi also produce accelerated decomposition of crop residue, and some also have biocontrol potential of specific plant pests.
- Some microbes applied to enhance nutrient availability also produce plant growth promoting hormones including auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins.
- The use of microbials to enhance nutrient level and availability can also reduce surface and groundwater pollution by releasing nitrogen at a rate the crop can uptake without excess to leach or runoff. Soil health is also impacted through increased levels of residual nutrients for subsequent crops.
All of the benefits of non-synthetic technologies for nutrient management in crop production have the potential to improve ROI through increased yields, reduced costs or both if managed properly.
To evaluate any fertilizer or alternative fertilizer innovation, reach out to AgriThority® to help you enhance your capabilities, expand your capacity and elevate your credibility. Our seasoned, strategic and scientific global network serves as an independent and collaborative resource devoted to product, business, and market development. We help overcome regulatory challenges, manage product development process, and establish connections for market access.
