NitaminTM fertilizers from Georgia-Pacific
provided higher yields and improved crop quality when compared to
quick release urea fertilizer applications in onion and cabbage field
studies conducted at the University of Georgia’s Agricultural
Experiment Station in Tifton. Recently released trial results support
initial findings from Georgia-Pacific’s raised bed studies that
showed increased yield and crop quality with Nitamin treatments.
Nitamin, a new fertilizer technology, is being tested in more than
30 specialty crop studies at nationally recognized agricultural universities.
The University of Georgia trials, led by Dr. Terry Kelley, extension
Horticulturalist, compared the effects of Nitamin 30 L Steady DeliveryTM
liquid fertilizer to the traditional fertility practice of using quick-release
nitrogen granular products.
As a non-coated, urea-based polymer, Nitamin delivers a steady supply
of nitrogen to crops. Plants can effectively use the nutrient throughout
their growth cycles, as the soil microbes convert the polymer into
plant-available nitrogen over time. In contrast, commonly used quick-release
fertilizers convert most of their nitrogen into usable forms within
days, resulting in rapid growth spurts and limited yield when crops
experience periods of nitrogen deficiency.
In the University of Georgia studies, Nitamin was applied at the beginning
of the spring season. In the onion trial, using the full rate of Nitamin
30L produced 990 boxes per acre, compared to 676 boxes produced when
using the standard granular nitrogen treatment. The Nitamin-treated
onions also trended towards the more high-valued jumbo and medium
boxes per acre. At both the full rate of Nitamin and at the reduced
75 percent rate (75% of the recommended nitrogen as Nitamin), Kelley
says “The onion results were visibly better compared to the
traditional nitrogen program.”
“Leafy green crops and cabbage are generally heavy nitrogen
users as they reach maturity,” says James Wargo, technical service
agronomist for Georgia-Pacific. “However, it becomes difficult
to make additional nitrogen applications in the field as the crop
canopy fills in because tractors and other equipment can damage the
plants. This makes Nitamin a good fit because it can all be applied
at planting and still provide a consistent supply of nitrogen to the
crop throughout the growing season.”
