Technical Summary of Global Enhanced Efficient Nitrogen Fertilizers

Nitrogen is of great importance to the growth of plants, including their development and reproduction, because a lack of nitrogen will weaken or inhibit crop growth, leading to a loss in crop yields. At present, global consumption of nitrogen fertilizer accounts for above 60% of total chemical fertilizers. The 2015 global demand for nitrogen fertilizer was nearly 100 million tons (nutrient converted). However, nitrogen fertilizer is affected by processes like leaching, volatilization, soil fixation, surface runoff and denitrification, which causes above 50% of nitrogen to be lost. The loss of nitrogen fertilizer and the low utilization not only reduces the growing potentials of crops, but also brings about an environmental impact, such as soil acidification, a reduction in biodiversity and eutrophication of bodies of water. Therefore, all agrochemical enterprises have been strengthening their product and technology research, to further enhance the efficient use of nitrogen fertilizer.

 

Conception and key technology to enhance the efficient use of nitrogen fertilizer 
 

To solve the critical problem of low efficiencies in the uses of nitrogen fertilizer depends on how to reduce losses during the nitrogen cycle. Figure 1 shows the existence of reactive nitrogen in soil in various forms, which is mutually transformational. This is because nitrogen is mobile in mediums, such as water, crops, air and soil. Some nitrogen, which could be absorbed by crops, may also be lost through soil fixation, volatilization, denitrification and leaching.
 

Figure 1 Schematic diagram of nitrogen cycle

 

Normally, nitrogen is lost in various conversion processes. If nitrogen is applied in organic or inorganic forms, the larger the quantity that is used, the higher loss the nitrogen will suffer. The objective in the management of nitrogen is to ensure optimized crop yields, while reducing the loss of nitrogen in the environment. This objective is usually achieved in the following ways (Table 1):
 

Table 1 Techniques for improving the utilization rate of nitrogen fertilizer

(Click to enlarge)

 

Although techniques, such as microbial technology, plant breeding technology, improved fertilization technology, have functioned to enhance the use efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer, but there are many difficulties to apply these techniques to commercialization in large scale. With technical advancement, some new techniques and new application concepts are being developed from time to time. To enhance the use efficiency of fertilizer will not be limited to these conventional techniques any more, the S/CRF, urease / nitrification inhibitor have been applied or are being applied to agricultural productions. These new techniques play an important role in reduction of fertilizer loss and enhancing the use efficiency of fertilizer. 
 

Although techniques, such as microbial technology, plant breeding technology, and improved fertilization technology, have improved the efficient use of nitrogen fertilizer, there are many difficulties in applying these techniques to commercialization on a large scale. With technical advancements, some new techniques and new application concepts are being developed. To enhance the efficient uses of fertilizer, there will no longer be limits to these conventional techniques, the S/CRF, urease/nitrification inhibitor have been applied or are being applied to agricultural production. These new techniques play an important role in the reduction of fertilizer losses and in enhancing the efficient use of fertilizers. 
 

Major nitrogen fertilizer products 
 

Slow/control-release fertilizer 
 

The slowing of fertilizer release speeds is one of the important ways to reduce the loss of nitrogen fertilizer and to enhance the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer. Table 2 lists the 2 major categories of products – slow release fertilizer and control release fertilizer, of which SRF can achieve slow release of nutrients via a generation of controllable water-soluble or low water soluble materials. Slow release can be either postponement of the start time of nutrient supplies or prolongation of nutrient supply times. Through the reaction of urea with various aldehydes, such as urea formaldehyde (UF), methylene urea (MU) and Isobutylidene diurea (IBDU), or crotolyden di urea (CDU), such slow release materials are generated. Table 2 lists the Plantosan and Nitroform produced by Aglukon, as well as the Floranid produced by Compo- Expert, which are typical examples of urea chemical condensation technology. 

● Floranid® (Compo-Expert, Germany) 
 

The Floranid® range includes N, NK and NPK complex slow release fertilizers. The unique composition includes IBDU (Isobutylidenediurea) slow release N for a longer availability (up to 3 month) of nitrogen and fewer leaching losses. Depending upon the content of slow release (IBDU) nitrogen and its granule size, these products are suited for medium to high value turf, such as golf and bowling greens, golf tees and stadium sports fields. 
 

The technique of CRF is to affix a layer or layers of a physical barrier on the fertilizer particle surface to control the release speed of nutrients passing through membranes, thus enhancing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers. Such products include sulfur coated urea (SCU), polymer resin coated urea (PCU), and polymer sulfur coated urea (PCSCU). Table 2 lists representational SCU products, including the Hanfeng control release fertilizer produced by China Hanfeng, the Namhae control release fertilizer produced by Korean Namhae Chemical, and the Haracoat produced by Indonesian PT Hanampi Sejahtera Kanuripan. The new-generation resin coated technology is being sought by all control release fertilizer manufacturers worldwide, such as Syncote of Kingenta, semecote of Moith, Multicote of Haifa, Osmocote of ICL-SF, Nutricote of Chisso-asahi, ESN of Agrium and Basacote of Compo-Expert. Additionally, some control release fertilizer manufacturers have developed a polymer sulfur coated urea product (PCSCU) which is derived from sulfur coated urea (SCU) and polymer resin coated urea (PCU) technologies. 
 

● Nutricote® (Chisso-asahi, Japan) 
 

Created for professional growers and available in many formulations, Nutricote control-released fertilizer is technologically advanced, utilizing a unique polymer resin which coats the fertilizer granule to provide a continuous slow release of nutrients throughout the crop cycle. The coating is resilient and resists cracking when used in mixing equipment. Nutricote is available in various longevities, ranging from 70 days to 360 days of release. 
 

● Multicote® (Haifa, Israel) 
 

A range of control-released fertilizers. Designed to feed plants continuously over months. Based on polymer coated technology. A variety of formulas is available, to suit the needs of different crops, in deferent climate and environmental conditions from 2 to 16 months longevity. The Multicote range provides solutions for different market segments: Multicote® for nurseries and ornamentals .Multicote® Agri / Multigro® for agriculture. CoteN™ for arable crops. Multicote® Turf / Multigreen® for professional turf & domestic lawns. 
 

● Osmocote® (ICL-SF, Israel ) 
 

Osmocote is a coated NPK fertilizer that releases nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and trace elements over a pre-chosen period of time. This enables a grower to apply a complete and perfectly balanced feeding program that can last as long as 14 months in one application. The nutrients encapsulated in the organic resin coating are protected from leaching and releases only a small amount every day. This means that all the nutrients are fully available to the plant and will not waste away due to leaching. The nutrition is efficient and very effective and the impact on the environment is minimal to zero. 
 

● Semecote® (Moith, China) 
 

Containing N,P,K and a variet y of trace elements to provide a more comprehensive nutrient. Its nutrient content in different release periods is vari ed, which can meet the requirements of v arious crops throughout the entire process . One time fertilization can meet the nutrie nt requirements of the entire growing perio d of crops, as well as meet the demand fo r nitrate nitrogen in the early stage of the c rop. It is suitable for ginger, flowers, lawns , tomatoes, cucumbers and other greenho use vegetables, as well as apples, grapes and other fruit trees. 
 

● Basacote® (Compo-Expert, Germany) 
 

Basacote® is the COMPO EXPERT brand for fully coated control-released fertilizers. The specific advantage of COMPO EXPERT’s Basacote technology include its unique coating material and continuous production process, as well as special placement of micronutrients for higher efficacy. It also provides CAR (Climate Adapted Release) technology to meet plant needs in any climatic conditions, and is very elastic and includes a frost resistant coating. It also has excellent blending properties and a 5 step quality control system for maximum safety. The broad field of use includes the following segments: Substrate mixes for depot fertilization of container nursery stock and other young plants. Other applications include plant hole fertilization of fruit trees (orchards) and forestry plantations, and fertilization of oil palms in the nursery and plantation stage. Blending of Basacote –It maximizes the range, with other fertilizer components, to meet nearly every NPK ratio. 
 

● Greenfeed® (Greenfeed , Malaysia ) 
 

Greenfeed® SRF in nugget form is a specialty fertilizer which was developed over 20 years. It uses an activated carrier in absorptive form to retain its loss and runoff of NPK and microelements. This carrier controls the release of nutrients in soil, according to soil nutrient ion conditions and the demands of crops. In general, Greenfeed® fertilizer acts as “fertilizer reservoirs” for to 2-6 months. Renowned for its effectiveness in soil amendments, it requires less quantity of input, resulting in labor savings. Greenfeed® SRF has developed hundreds of NPK formulas and soil amendment formulas targeted for various tropical and subtropical fruit trees, paddies and ornamentals. 
 

● Supocote® (LGAGRO , China) 
 

L G Fertilizer Co., created in 2001, introduced the concept "Quality Apply, Easy Life" to China, becoming one of the world’s advanced manufacturers of control-released fertilizer. LGAGRO specializes in coating NPK, Urea, and is the sole manufacturer of coating Medium Nutrient (Ca, Mg, S), and Micronutrient (Cu, Zn, B) in the world. Supocote® improves nutrient utilization, especially in high temperature countries and areas, offering a stable and efficient release, and being more stable than other international brands. It has achieved success in planting palm.

 

Stabilized fertilizer 
 

Stabilized fertilizer itself is not SCRF, which is however a kind of fertilizer added with nitrogen stabilizer. The addition of nitrogen stabilizer prolongs the holding time of fertilizer nitrogen in soil (with a presence in the forms of amide nitrogen or ammonia nitrogen). There are two kinds of products – Stabilized fertilizer containing nitrification inhibitor (NI) and Stabilized fertilizer containing urease inhibitor (UI). Dow AgroSciences, BASF and Koch Agronomic Services have each made available their reliable sources of stabilizers, among which nitrification inhibitor can selectively inhibit the activity of nitrifying bacteria in soil, thus resisting the reaction speed caused by ammonium nitrogen being transformed into nitrate nitrogen. Typical products include the Nitrophos (DCD) and the NovaTec of Compo-Expert, ENTEC of Eurochem and Vizura of BASF (all DMPD), as well as the N-serve (Nitrapyrin) of Dow AgroSciences. 
 

● N-Serve®(Dow Agro Science, USA) 
 

N-Serve® ’s activates ingredients of 2-chloro-6-trichloromethyl pyridine, through inhibiting nitrite bacteria, which can postpone the time of transformation from ammonium to nitrate and reduce the nitrogen loss resulting from nitrification and denitrification, thus enhancing nitrogen use efficiency. 
 

● NovaTec® (Compo-Expert, Germany) 
 

NovaTec® is a NPK complex fertilizer with nitrification inhibitor DMPP (3,4-dimethylpyrazolphosphate). It reduces N-leaching and increases N-efficiency. During the active phase of DMPP, which is 4 to 10 weeks, depending on soil temperature and soil humidity, the transformation of ammonium to nitrate is delayed. As a result, N-availability is further adapted to the plants´ requirements and N-efficiency is increased. 
 

Urease inhibitor is a substance which inhibits urease to hydrolyze into ammonia and carbon dioxide. Urease inhibitors can reduce the volatility of ammonia under certain conditions. In research conducted over the last 30-years, there have been over 100 types of urease inhibitors developed, including quinones, amides, polybasic acid, polyphenol, humic acid and formaldehyde. Among them, the most broadly applied is the N-(N-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), which has a positive effect on inhabitation of the volatile loss of NH3 under proper alkaline soil and air permeability conditions. Typical products include the Agrotain (NBPT) produced by Koch Agronomic Services and the LIMUS (NBPT+NPPT) produced by BASF. 
 

● AGROTAIN® (Koch Agronomic Services, USA) 
 

AGROTAIN® nitrogen stabilizer is the original, most research-proven urease inhibitor technology on the market. With 20 years of trials and real-world results on millions of acres worldwide, it’s the one growers trust to protect their nitrogen investment and yield potential every time. AGROTAIN® stabilizer comes in a variety of formulations to meet the needs of your specific operation — taking into account your blending and application equipment. 
 

● Limus® (BASF, Germany) 
 

The presence of two active ingredients in Limus is a significant improvement, because several types of urease enzymes with different structures can be present in soil. A single active ingredient will only work to inhibit activity in some of the urease enzymes. NBPT and NPPT, the two active ingredients in Limus, work in a complementary fashion – provide broader protection by binding to urease enzymes with different active sites. This dual active innovation was patented by BASF and showed extraordinary performance in lab and field trials in various parts of the world. Research demonstrated that the amount of active ingredient could be reduced by at least 40 percent to be assured the same performance as conventional products. Alternatively, with the same amount of inhibitor, the biological performance of Limus was significantly improved. In many trials, the relative yield increase could be doubled, compared to the market standard NBPT, as a result of more effective inhibition of urease enzymes in the soil. 
 

● Nitrogen fertilizer (SRF/CRF) using above slow/control-release techniques, stable nitrogen fertilizer (SF) added with urease inhibitor(UI) and nitrification inhibitor (NI) can all be regarded as Enhanced Efficient Fertilizer (EEF). 
 

Looking at the global market, the production capacity of slow release fertilizer (SRF), control release fertilizer (CRF) and stable fertilizer (SF) has doubled from 2011 to 2014, having quickly risen from 6.5 million tons to 12 million tons. Asia is, no doubt, taking a dominant position in the global market of Enhanced Efficient Fertilizer. China is the world’s largest SRF/CRF customer, having consumed roughly 2.8 million tons in 2014. India’s consumption is limited only to the neem oil coated urea (NCU), the consumed quantity reaching 6.3 million tons in the 2013-14 fiscal year. Further, Japan’s consumption of SRF/CRF in 2014 was 145,000 tons. The global market volume, not including China and India, is estimated to be about 3.6 million tons, of which 1.7 million tons are SRF/CRF and the rest are stable fertilizer. North America consumes about 1.2 million tons, 90% of which are SCRF. West Europe consumes 140,000 tons of SRF/CRF, where the SF market is 4 to 5 times larger than SCRF. Also, Mid-Europe consumes 20,000 tons of SCRF and SF. Additionally, the Mideast and Africa consume 80,000 tons of SCRF and SF.