Independent research has shown that two upcoming nitrogen stabilizer products featuring new active ingredients developed by Koch Agronomic Services (KAS) will help growers significantly improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) to increase crop output while minimizing environmental losses.

Centuro nitrification inhibitor and Anvol urease inhibitor represent KAS’s commitment to discover and deliver new tools to help move agriculture forward, providing unparalleled nitrogen protection for improved yield potential and return on investment. Rigorous testing of the two products at land-grant universities during the development phase demonstrated significantly increased NUE and plant performance. Both products are expected to be available in the U.S. in 2018.

Game-changing nitrogen protection for anhydrous ammonia

Centuro will be a new nitrification inhibitor technology for anhydrous ammonia that will offer highly effective nitrogen protection and unequaled handling and flexibility. KAS focused on the efficiency of anhydrous ammonia because it continues to be one of the most popular sources of nitrogen, due to its concentration (82 percent nitrogen), convenience and relatively low cost. Greg Schwab, KAS director of agronomy, notes that despite its popularity, anhydrous applications require careful planning to guard against leaching and denitrification during the winter; even spring applications can be subject to loss.

While it’s not yet commercially available, testing during the 7-year development phase has shown the product will provide new advancements in nitrogen protection, keeping more nitrogen in the root zone and available to the plant while reducing costs and time associated with storage and handling. For example, university performance trial results with Centuro in Nebraska, Illinois and Missouri demonstrated a 35% improvement in NUE in fall-applied anhydrous ammonia and increased corn yield by an average of 10 bushels per acre, when compared to untreated anhydrous ammonia. Additionally, studies conducted at Iowa State University2 showed that Centuro reduced nitrate leaching by 65% in fall-applied anhydrous ammonia and 30% in spring-applied anhydrous ammonia compared to untreated anhydrous ammonia.

Research has also shown the patented formulation of Centuro makes it noncorrosive to equipment, resulting in a major advantage in the cost associated with equipment maintenance, replacement and downtime, the company says.

New era of urease inhibitor technology

For above-ground nitrogen protection, KAS plans to introduce Anvol stabilizer which will feature a newly patented active ingredient to provide an improved level of nitrogen protection, increasing the potential to maximize crop performance and minimize environmental losses from ammonia volatilization. In Louisiana State University volatilization trials, ANVOL reduced ammonia loss by 65% compared to untreated urea and was 26% more effective at reducing losses than Agrotain nitrogen stabilizer.

Anvol is expected to be commercially available in the U.S. by the fall of 2018.