Key conclusions
- By using Agrocote Max, the nitrogen losses reduced significantly, the number of tubers and the total yield increased up to 12%
- One application of Agrocote Max performed better than 2 applications of traditional fertilizers
- The total net income increased up to 14% by using Agrocote Max vs. different grower practices
TRIAL SETUP
Objective: To compare Agrocote Max vs different grower practice strategies
When: Planting, April 2015 / Harvest, August 2015
Where: Proefcentrum Zwaagdijk, The Netherlands
Crop: Seed Potato, variety Spunta
Assessments: Number of commercial seed tubers. Total yield
TREATMENTS
|
Objects |
Products |
Dosage kg/ha |
Fertilizers units, kg/ha |
Stage |
||
|
N |
P2O5 |
K2O |
||||
|
Agrocote Max |
Agrocote Max (44-0-0, longevity1-2M) NPK + MgO (0-0-30+10MgO) Triple Superphosphate (0-45-0+15CaO) |
288 100 100 |
127 |
45 |
30 |
Before planting |
|
Total units of nutrients, kg/ha = |
127 |
45 |
30 |
|
||
|
Grower Practice 1 |
CAN (27-0-0+4MgO+6CaO) NPK + MgO (0-0-30+10MgO) Triple Superphosphate (0-45-0+15CaO) |
370 100 100 |
100 |
45 |
30 |
Before planting |
|
CAN (27-0-0+4MgO+6CaO) |
100 |
27 |
|
|
Hilling |
|
|
Total units of nutrients, kg/ha = |
127 |
45 |
30 |
|
||
|
Grower Practice 2 |
CAN (27-0-0+4MgO+6CaO) NPK + MgO (0-0-30+10MgO) Ammonium Polyphosphate (10-34-0) |
314 100 70 lit |
95 |
33 |
30 |
Before planting |
|
CAN (27-0-0+4MgO+6CaO) |
100 |
27 |
|
|
Hilling |
|
|
Total units of nutrients, kg/ha = |
122 |
33 |
30 |
|
||
|
Grower Practice 3 |
CAN (27-0-0+4MgO+6CaO) NPK + MgO (0-0-30+10MgO) Triple Superphosphate (0-45-0+15CaO) |
370 100 152 |
100 |
68 |
30 |
Before planting |
|
CAN (27-0-0+4MgO+6CaO) |
100 |
27 |
|
|
Hilling |
|
|
Total units of nutrients, kg/ha = |
127 |
68 |
30 |
|
||
Economic evaluation
|
Objects |
Fertilizers cost |
Total income |
Income minus fertilizers cost |
|
Agrocote Max |
450 €/ha |
13,180 €/ha |
12,730 €/ha |
|
Grower Practice 1 |
295 €/ha |
11,488 €/ha |
11,193 €/ha |
|
Grower Practice 2 |
265 €/ha |
12,477 €/ha |
12,212 €/ha |
|
Grower Practice 3 |
324 €/ha |
12,555 €/ha |
12,231 €/ha |
Why does Agrocote Max perform better ?
- By using Agrocote Max, controlled release fertilizer, the Nitrogen is released gradually, following the growth stages and contributing to higher quality.
- Controlled Release Fertilizers are reducing the Nitrogen losses by leaching, volatilization and denitrification, maintaining an optimum level of nutrients for plants to grow evenly.
- Decreasing the number of Nitrogen applications from 2 to 1, it eliminates short periods of high nitrogen input. This results in a balanced nutrition and healthier plants, while avoiding also soil compaction.