Rational fertilization: How to fertilize in a year with high fertilizer levels?

Increases in global energy costs, devaluation of the real against the dollar, greater tax burden on fertilizers imposed by China, threats of embargoes from some fertilizer-producing countries such as Belarus and increased global demand for fertilizers. So, we have the perfect scenario for a natural and significant increase in the prices of fertilizers that reach rural producers. As natural as price behavior is the farmers’ reasoning: “It’s time to optimize the use of the input!” Easy reasoning, difficult decision. How to fertilize in a year when fertilizers are high?

The first step is to adjust the target and define the objective. In this sense, the farmer's quest must be to carry out fertilization that brings the greatest profitability and not maximum productivity. Fertilizers not only guarantee production, but also enhance gains in bags per hectare. However, the cost and volume of fertilizer for the farmer to increase his productivity from 80 to 90 sc/ha is significantly greater than increasing his productivity from 70 to 80 sc/ha. In both cases, the increase is 10 sc/ha, however, investments do not follow the same proportion. Following this logic, also known as the law of diminishing increments, farmers must establish productivity expectations as well as the fertilization necessary to achieve it.

The second point of attention is to be wary of extreme recommendations with major restrictions on the use of fertilizers for 100% of the area. There is a false idea that a fertility bonus was created in recent years, as there was no reduction in the quantities fertilized. When more than 1000 Mosaic internal research fields were analyzed (unpublished data), it was observed that, in the last 3 years, the farmer added less nutrients than was exported by the harvests of these crops. In other words, the balance is negative, the bonus that could be used to reduce fertilization for the current harvest was not created. Added to this, a large part of these analyzed fields presented soil analysis nutrient contents with low, very low and medium values. Therefore, the ideal is to follow regionalized technical recommendations, based on soil fertility analysis and response curves relating fertilization and productivity.

The third and final point is to invest in technology. At first glance, this approach in years of crisis seems contradictory. However, opting for inputs with greater technological development contributes not only to increased productivity, but mainly to increased agronomic efficiency. This goes through the chosen genetic material, pesticides and also fertilizers. Mosaic brings in its portfolio superior efficiency fertilizers that guarantee plant nutrition and maximize producer profitability.

In challenging years like this, where input costs have a hard impact on the producer's pocket, success is achieved in detail, in care, in the thorough analysis of each plot and, thus, defining the best path using technical criteria. The upside scenario is the same for everyone. However, the reactions are different: some random and emotional and others judicious and rational; therefore, the recommendation is to follow the second option. Consult an agronomist, carry out a soil analysis, define as precisely as possible the productivity expectations that will bring maximum profitability considering the cost of fertilizers, invest in technology, avoid extreme recommendations and, keep an eye on research results in your region.

To learn more about the subject and also learn about Mosaic fertilizers’ high-tech products, visit: www.nutricaodesafras.com.br