Page 16 - AWA Vol.41-No.4

CroP ProtECtIoN

Crystal Green® Fertilizer Provides over 2X Plant Available

Phosphorus and Nitrogen
n today’s environment, the pressure to produce more with less
Iis as big a focus as ever. That’s why more growers are choosing
the efficiency of Crystal Green® fertilizer (7-33-0 with 9%Mg) to
deliver more plant available nutrients and at a reduced applica-
tion rate.
Crystal Green is the only phosphate fertilizer on the market to
deliver phosphorus, magnesium and nitrogen in response to crop
demand. The unique mineralogy of Crystal Green ensures nutri-
ents are nearly 100% plant available, as compared to 10-30% from
conventional phosphate fertilizer, instead of being lost due to soil
tie-up, runoff and leaching.
Performance in the Field
Growers are using Crystal Green as a complete replacement of
conventional phosphates allowing for more available phospho-
rous, nitrogen and magnesium with fewer total pounds applied.
In most cases growers can apply 30% less total fertilizer or more.
Chad Rubbelke, a North Dakota grower, specializing in small
grains, soybeans and more, has been using Crystal Green for over
four years. Rubbelke shares his experience using Crystal Green
that crops are utilizing more plant available nutrients compared to
conventional phosphates.
“Growing wheat, canola and other grains, Crystal Green really
piqued my interest due to its ability to be incredibly seed safe,
fit perfectly for our geography and protect the environment,” said
Rubbelke. “Due to Crystal Green’s non water solubility, we’re see- Improving Soil Health
ing an increase in phosphorus utilization and yield. As a result, “Crystal Green provides over 2X the amount of available phos-
we’ve adapted Crystal Green as our standard practice across the phorus, nitrogen and magnesium to crops compared to the grower
farm.” standard practice,” said Dr. Aaron Waltz, chief technology officer at
“With our previous phosphorus source, we were paying a high Ostara. “After over a decade and a half of research and grower tri-
cost for a product that was inefficient. With Crystal Green, we’re als, we’ve proven that Crystal Green provides more to crops than
getting more plant available nutrients and checking the box that just increased yield and environmental benefits but actually im-
it’s environmentally superior,” Rubbelke adds. proves soil health and overall crop health.” Research shows that
Dan Luepkes, an Illinois grower, won his state category in the Crystal Green’s unique minerology positively impacts soil health
2024 National Corn Association Yield Contest. By adding Crystal by increasing soil microbes’ populations and bacterial diversity
Green to his crop nutrition program, his corn crop yielded 322.9 compared to MAP. Crystal Green did even better than when no
bushels per acre to take the Top Prize in the no-till irrigated cat- phosphorus was applied.
egory.
*Research conducted in partnership with the University of
“We applied Crystal Green at 100 lbs. per acre in addition to our Guelph and Cropsmith, Inc.
crop nutrition program,” Luepkes said. “On our first-place entry,
we saw a higher level of phosphorus in leaf tissue samples taken “This is just one of many benefits of choosing Crystal Green over
throughout the season and yield.” MAP, DAP, NPS or other phosphate fertilizers. Our research shows
that the nutrients from Crystal Green remain available throughout
Operational Efficiency
the growing season to provide nutrients when crops need them
In addition to the farm, retailers are looking for ways to be more and, therefore, delivers positive results regardless of crop, soil pH
efficient with their time and equipment. Eric Wahls, field agrono- or soil type,” Waltz added.
mist at SunAg, Inc., has been working with growers in central Il-
linois to to grow their sales of Crystal Green. Available and Ready to Ship
“Not only are growers getting the yield they expect, but they Crystal Green is produced in St. Louis at a state-of-the-art pro-
are applying fewer pounds of P per acre and at the same cost per duction facility with an annual production capacity of over 200,000
acre,” Wahls said. “As a retailer, we’re able to cover more acres tons. The facility provides access by truck, rail and barge. Crystal
from every load we send out, which is critical during our busy sea- Green is currently available for purchase through most retailers
son.” and is being used across the globe. Circle 18 on enquiry card

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Vol. 40 No. 6