NUE-TRITION

NUE can be a useful benchmark for both financial and environmental sustainability. The benefits of increasing NUE include:

• more nitrogen is recovered by the crop
• potentially higher yields and grain protein
• better financial returns on fertiliser
• less nitrogen is lost to air and water
• reduced carbon footprint

There are several actions that can all help increase NUE, including:

• maintaining optimal soil structure, pH and fertility
• integrated nutrient management planning
• ensuring optimal timings and rates for fertiliser applications
• calibrating fertiliser spreaders for each fertiliser being applied
• ensuring other nutrients – both macro and micro – are balanced
• using enhanced efficiency fertilisers

Applying manganese coating to the fertiliser:

• Increased yield by 4.7%
• Increased nitrogen uptake by 5.4%
• Increased NUE by 8.2%
• Gave a return on investment of 6:1

In independent trial work by TEAGASC, Ireland's Agriculture and Food Development Authority, SUSTAIN increased apparent fertiliser recovery in spring barley by 9% compared to nitrates.

Applying molybdenum coating to the standard fertiliser practice:

• Increased yield by 1.1%
• Increased NUE by 5.4%
• Gave a return on investment of 2:1

Applying molybdenum coating to the standard fertiliser practice:

• Increased yield by 2.3%
• Increased nitrogen uptake by 5.4%
• Increased NUE by 4.5%
• Gave a return on investment of 5:1

Applying prescription fertilisers with 15.8% less nitrogen and the addition of phosphorous, sulphur, sodium, molybdenum, manganese, selenium and zinc compared to ammonium nitrate:

• Increased total weight gain by 15.8%
• Increased LWG per kg N fertiliser applied by 50.4%
• Gave a return on investment of 4.5:1