Arable
Why conventional autumn P and K applications could be reducing your yield potential
• Autumn P and K applications can cause soil damage
• Spring applied NPKS compounds increase fertiliser use efficiency
• Trials show higher yields and better grain quality
C
onventional thinking has made autumn the most popular time to phosphate and potash short-
falls by applying straights. But there’s a growing body of evidence suggests this is far from ideal in many situations. Sajjad Awan, head of agronomy at
CF Fertilisers, says the practice could lead to lower Nitrogen fertiliser use Ef- ficiency (NfUE), reduced spring plant growth and ultimately poorer yields. But he believes there could also be en- vironmental implications too. “P and K are traditionally applied in autumn but many trials have shown that the timing of these applications is critical to yields, particularly on soils with P and K indices of one and above. “Applying P and K in the spring so
these vital elements are used quickly as crops are growing is potentially a better approach than leaving them in cold soils over the winter at the mercy of the weather. “Furthermore, spring applied true granular NPKS compounds ensure P
and K are available alongside both Ni- trogen and Sulphur at the same time so all four nutrients can work togeth- er to promote growth.”
Significant benefits But meeting crop nutrient require- ments in this way has significant oth- er benefits, he points out.
“The single application approach with NPKS fertilisers means you’re eliminating potentially two autumn applications using heavy machinery at a time when soils are not in their best condition for load bearing. “With a typical fertiliser application estimated at around £6/ha, the savings in labour, fuel and machinery resulting from the single application approach are substantial.
“Independent trials have also shown CF true granular NPKS compounds can be reliably and accurately spread up to 36m in properly set up and calibrated fertiliser spreaders.”
There is a growing range of results supporting the use of spring NPKS fer- tilisers over separate autumn P and K applications from both formal trials and practical farm scenarios, Dr Awan says. “Work carried out at the Royal Agri-
34 ANGLIA FARMER • JULY 2021
Sajjad Awan, head of
agronomy at CF Fertilisers
cultural University shows that wheat yields 1.0t/ha more with spring-applied CF Heartland Sulphur (24-8-8 + 8SO3) compared to when P and K were applied in the autumn. “In most situations you would prob- ably use a conventional nitrogen source such as Nitram (34.5%N) or a true gran- ular NS compound alongside the NPKS fertiliser in the spring, but it all depends on individual requirements.
Improved crop resilience NPKS compounds could also help crop resilience, particularly with regard to better drought tolerance, he says. “Spring-applied K, in particular, supports nitrogen uptake considera- bly, which stimulates healthy growth of both the plant and its roots so this can also help with drought tolerance. “Highly soluble phosphate in NPKS compound fertiliser also encourages op- timum root development so plants are better able to find water when drought conditions prevail.
“These nutrients working in con- junction with the nitrogen and sulphur improve growth, maximise nitrogen uti- lisation and deliver the highest final yield and grain quality.”
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