FERTILIZAR Civil Association held its traditional Press Meeting prior to the start of the 2024-2025 corn campaign, in which the present of the cereal was shared, focused on investment in technology and with a challenging context.
The meeting highlighted the need to close the existing performance gap through better use of nutrition technologies, which will result in a return on investment and which in turn contributes to the care of soil resources.
The executive manager of the entity, María Fernanda González Sanjuan, highlighted the importance of investing in fertilizers despite the high associated costs, given that the yield potential for corn could reach up to 11,500 kilos per hectare on average in the country. However, the current average yield is only 7,600 kg/ha, which represents only 34% of the achievable yield, according to data validated by the recently published work of Nutrient Gaps, of which the institution was a part.
According to González Sanjuan, this loss in yield is largely due to an insufficiency in the application of essential nutrients. On average, the nutrient gap to be covered is 50% nitrogen deficiency; 61% phosphorus deficiency; and 81% sulfur deficiency.
“We are talking about a production gap that could represent almost 4,000 additional kilos per hectare on average in the country. By applying this increase to the current 6 to 7 million hectares cultivated, the impact would be truly great in terms of the tons produced,” he described.
González Sanjuan explained the convenience of investing in fertilizers considering the input-output relationship that determines how many kilos of corn are needed to buy a kilo of fertilizer and how many additional kilos of grain that additional fertilizer produces:
In the case of nitrogen (N), he stated that 7 kilos of corn are needed to acquire one kilo of this nutrient. That kilogram of N generates between 15 and 25 kilos of corn: this means that after covering the cost of the input (7 kilos) there are between 8 and 18 additional kilos of profit: a positive balance that justifies the investment.
In the case of phosphorus, at current prices it takes 22 kilos of corn to cover 1 kg of this nutrient, but it produces between 25 and 65 kilos of grain. So even so, the fertilizer still provides a significant return in the form of higher yields.
Sulfur also requires 7 kilos of corn to be purchased and can generate between 45 and 95 kilos of grain. The profit is even greater. “Fertilizing is a good investment,” said the executive of Fertilizar AC.
González Sanjuan concluded by emphasizing that fertilization technology not only pays for itself, but is also what guarantees yield and stability of production over time. Today, if we calculate the investment in dollars required for proper fertilizer management versus the additional income generated in harvested grains, we have a 40% return in 6 months. This represents a return on investment in fertilizers equivalent to 80% annually in dollars. “It is essential that producers carefully evaluate fertilization technology and seek professional advice to maximize their investment and return,” he said.
The importance of management
In turn, Agricultural Engineer Cecilia Cerliani from the National University of Río Cuarto addressed the nutritional management of corn, highlighting how adequate nutrition can close the gap between current yield and the crop’s maximum potential.
Cerliani highlighted that, in the department of Río Cuarto, the average corn yield is 5,800 kilos per hectare, but that there is the potential to reach 19,000 kg/ha under irrigation, in non-limiting water and nutritional conditions, which reveals a significant gap of 13,000 kilos/ha, understood in part by water deficiency and in part by soil nutrition: research has shown that the average doses of nutrients applied by producers are insufficient, with significant gaps in nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and zinc.
The specialist emphasized the importance of nutritional management based on the “4Rs” (Right): Right Source, Right Dose, Right Time, and Right Form.
In the meantime, he said that, to achieve adequate nutrition, “it is essential” to begin with an accurate diagnosis through soil analysis. “Taking on management without carrying out these analyses makes efficient application of nutrients difficult,” he pointed out.
When it comes to application recommendations, Cerliani explained that if the analysis of phosphorus in the soil shows levels below 15-18 ppm (parts per million), there is a very high chance of a response and therefore the addition of this nutrient is required. As for nitrogen, the optimal dose varies according to the expected crop yield and the climatic conditions, being lower in dry years and higher in wet years.
The engineer also addressed the economic impact of different nutrient sources. Trials showed that balanced application not only increases corn yield, but is also more profitable in the long term, despite its higher initial cost. She also emphasized that the application of these strategies over time gives stability to the production system.
Cerliani presented data indicating that balanced nutrient application can improve gross margin by up to $48 per hectare compared to less comprehensive strategies.
He also stressed the correct application of fertilizers. In this regard, he showed some results that indicate that the application of nitrogen fertilizer in advanced stages can increase efficiency and yield, compared to broadcast applications of urea or incorporated sowing.
In first person
The presentation of FERTILIZAR AC ended with the testimony of producer Néstor Peinetti, from Eduardo Castex, province of La Pampa, who recounted the transformation that began 15 years ago at the La Piedad farm, which has belonged to his family for 105 years. Peinetti began by reconverting soil management with the incorporation of the direct seeding system. “The soil was exhausted, it was blowing away, and erosion was a serious problem,” he remarked. In 2006, Néstor decided to implement SD to store water in the profile.
At that time, La Piedad was a mostly livestock farm, where corn was not a main crop (not even in the area) and crop rotations were scarce. “The corn was burned by the summer heat.” Today, cereal is the main crop in the area, reflecting a diversification approach that also includes cover crops, such as wheat, to prevent soil compaction and improve its structure.
Another major change that this producer imposed was the belief in the value of soil nutrition. In this regard, Peinetti especially highlighted the contribution he achieves with phosphorus (P), a nutrient that was rapidly depleted with the increase in yields. “I became a fan of phosphorus because it helps to harvest water and is essential to maintain productivity.” With balanced nutrition, he managed to increase yields in good years by up to 8,000 kg per hectare.
In addition to phosphorus, he incorporated nutrients such as zinc, which generates differences of up to 500 kg of grain per hectare, contributing to a more stable system that is less dependent on rainfall. Today, Néstor has taken his production to another level with sowing and fertilization by environment, adjusting the practices to the specific needs of each area of the field.
He also said that he applies the same approach to the fields where he produces under lease: “The key is to take care of the soil. It doesn’t matter if it is owned or rented: everything is soil. And it must be treated with respect as a legacy for future generations,” concluded Peinetti.
Roberto Rotondaro, president of FERTILIZAR AC, reinforced the idea: “The purpose of Fertilizar is to take care of the soil.”
