N-Lock – Protect organic manures from winter losses of nitrogen in UK

When organic manures such as slurry, farmyard manure (FYM) and digestate have been applied in the autumn it is important that the valuable nitrogen they contain is protected. This will reduce the effects on the environment from leaching and keep nitrogen available for the growing crop when required.

 

“N-LockTM is ideal for farmers who want to protect their nitrogen investment and to keep nitrogen available in the crop’s root zone for longer,” explains Peter Waite, Agronomy Manager, Dow AgroSciences. “It works by inhibiting the nitrosomonas bacteria that convert ammonium to nitrite, ammonium is positively charged and binds with the negatively charged soil particles therefore reducing the risk of leaching. Nitrate and nitrites – which are negatively charged – readily leach from the soil profile when it rains and nitrogen is lost.”

 

Cereal crops should be targeted where they are being established on light / sandy soils. N-Lock should be applied to stubble in September – when soil temperatures are falling – at 2.5l/ha through a normal farm sprayer, prior to manure application. Incorporation should take place within 10 days of the N-Lock application usually by the manure incorporation process. N-Lock can also be tank mixed with glyphosate if stubble cleaning is required.

 

Why apply N-Lock in September?

 

“N-Lock is a nitrogen stabiliser and allows farmers to optimise their crop yields by protecting the nitrogen in their autumn applied organic manure,” explains Peter. “Field trials conducted using N-Lock, alongside organic manures in September, have shown yield increases in wheat in addition to reducing potential leaching.