Potato Review

FERTILISATION New urease inhibitor launched in time for government ruling O MEX Agriculture has launched a new urease inhibitor NitroShield, that has been demonstrated to reduce ammonia emissions from urea-containing fertilisers by more than 70%. Defra has announced new rules on ammonia mitigation for urea fertilisers, which include the use of liquid UAN fertilisers. The new ruling means that from 2024, unless mitigation measures are implemented, any fertiliser containing urea such as UAN, excluding urea solutions for foliar applications, applied after the 1st April each year must include a urease inhibitor. The government has agreed with the NFU and industry partners that a farming industry self-regulation approach will work best for the environment and food production. These guidelines will be applied through the Red Tractor Assurance Standard. Adding NitroShield to liquid nitrogen applications can help farmers meet this requirement. With less ammonia lost to the atmosphere and contained within the soil, the nitrogen applied alongside it is better utilised by crops. NitroShield has undergone three years of rigorous trials and meets the government target of reducing ammonia emissions by 70%, which will help growers to be more sustainable. During the trials OMEX has also tested for the most efficient application rate. OMEX technical development manager David Booty said: “Urease inhibitors work by blocking the urease enzyme from hydrolysing urea, which causes ammonia.” He said the choice of whether to add it or not should be made on farm, on the day, according to the date of application, soil and weather conditions, and any other mitigation factors, such as if fertiliser is incorporated within 24 hours. David recommends that NitroShield should be routinely used for all nitrogen applications after March 31st unless signed off as unnecessary by a FACTS qualified adviser. “Rates can be reduced when soils are neutral or slightly acidic, or the crop canopy provides full coverage of the soil, the ambient temperature is not expected to be more than 15ºC within 24 hours of application, or a FACTS qualified advisor has recommended,” he said. “Full rates should be used when soils are alkaline (pH >7.0), or when the crop canopy does not provide full coverage of the soil, or the ambient temperature is expected to exceed 15ºC within 24 hours of application.” IN-FIELD Strategic Partner WASHERS & DESTONERS POLISHERS TURNKEY SOLUTIONS INNOVATION COMBINED BOX TIPPLERS IN-TAKE OPTICAL SORTERS GRADERS From single machines to complete turnkey solutions the potato industry trust Haith to handle it. +44 (0) 1302 831911 sales@haith.co.uk www.haith.co.uk