Login

Publication > Issue > Articles

Boron: what do we really know?

Summary

Today's agronomists and farmers recognise the importance of boron in agriculture. But what do we know about why plants need boron and how boron deficiency affects crops? Fabiano Silvestrin, Principal Advisor, Global Market Development, Agriculture, at U.S. Borax has some answers.

Abstract

Boron was first recognised as an essential plant nutrient by the pioneering botanist Dr Katherine Warington of the Rothamsted Experimental Station in 1923. We therefore have 100 years of research and field trials showing the importance of boron in agriculture. This includes boron’s significant role in: The strength of plant cell walls Membrane function and cell division Stimulation/inhibition of metabolic pathways Development of flowers and fruits Both new and reproductive growth. Keywords: Micronutrients, Boron, Solubility, Uptake, Release, US Borax, Rio Tinto, Mineral, Refined , Borates, Sodium tetraborate pentahydrate, Granubor, Crops, Yields, Quality

Add to basket


Micronutrients – their unquestionable crop benefits

Summary

Dr Setareh Jamali Jaghdani and professor Jóska Gerendás of K+S Group outline how micronutrient management, by positively influencing plant physiology and development, helps maximise crop yields.

Abstract

The need to secure high quality food in ever larger amounts has been an almost permanent challenge for global agriculture. Consequently, numerous studies since the 19th century have focussed on delivering greater crop yields by optimising plant nutrition1. Keywords: Micronutrients, Products, Crops, Yields, Quality, Boron, Zinc, Manganese, Oats, Oilseed rape, OSR, Sugarbeet, K+S, epsoPROFITOP , epsoMICROTOP , epsoCOMBITOP , epsoBORTOP , KornKALI

Add to basket


Pathways to sustainable agriculture

Summary

The production and use of nitrogen fertilizers are responsible for around five percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The fertilizer industry will need to drastically cut these emissions by 2050 as part of its contribution to the 1.5 °C global warming target. Yet around 48 percent of the global population rely on crops grown with nitrogen fertilizers. Guaranteeing food security, by continuing to supply affordable crop nutrients at scale, while transitioning to a low-carbon future, is therefore the collective challenge for the global fertilizer industry and world agriculture.

Abstract

Mineral fertilizers are vital for world food production and security. By raising crop yields – and so boosting the amount of food produced from a fixed area of agricultural land – they are responsible for feeding around half the global population1. Yet nitrogen fertilizer use is associated with annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of around 717 million tonnes (Mt) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) a year2. This is broadly equivalent to the total emissions of Germany. Furthermore, use emissions from farm land are primarily in the form of nitrous oxide (N2O) – an ozone-depleting gas with a global warming potential almost 300 times greater than carbon dioxide. Keywords: Sustainability , Fertilizers, Production, Use, Nitrogen, Ammonia, Green, Blue, Greenhouse gas , Emissions, Scope 1, Scope 3, Nutrient, Use efficiency, NUE, Controlled release, CRFs, Enhanced efficiency, EEFs, Inhibitors, Urease, Nitrification, Reduction, GHG, Paris agreement, Net zero, Agriculture, Agricultural, Nitrous oxides

Add to basket


What's new in fertilizer products

Summary

We highlight recent innovations, including fertilizers recovered from industrial residues, novel controlled-release coatings, and products that incorporate biological components designed to benefit both crop nutrition and soil heath.

Abstract

Cinis Fertilizer started production at its inaugural 100,000 t/a capacity potassium sulphate (SOP) plant at Örnsköldsvik, Köpmanholmen, Sweden, on 4th June. The plant will also produce 65,000 t/a of sodium chloride as a co-product. The plant has taken around 15 months to construct following ground breaking at the site in February 2023. Keywords: Innovation, Products, Fertilizers, Cinis , Production, Low carbon, Recycling, Recovery, Glaserite process, SOP, GreenSwitch, Van Iperen, K+S, Potassium, Chloride, Sulphate, SOP, MOP, ICL, Nova Humic, Humic acid, NPK, Micronutrients, Crops, Quality, Yield, Soil, Health, Fertigation, Pursell, Controlled-release, CRFs, Microplastics, Biodegradable, Coatings, Patent, EU, Regulation, Innovar, Innosolve BCT, Biofertilizers, Microbes, Fulvic acid

Add to basket


Farm better, farm smarter, farm with a smaller footprint

Summary

Levity Crop Science has a growing reputation as a leader in functional fertilizers, offering novel products that boost nitrogen and calcium efficiency and the crop uptake of micronutrients such as boron, molybdenum and silicon. This has culminated in the recent completion of a new research and development centre near Preston in the UK.

Abstract

“Insanity,” Albert Einstein reputedly said, “is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Keywords: Sustainability, Levity Crop Science, UK, United Kingdom, Functional, Fertilizers, Specialty, Speciality, Nutrient use efficiency, NUE, Nitrogen, Calcium, Boron, Molybdenum, Silicon

Add to basket


Nanotechnology – hope or hype?

Summary

Indian producers have begun producing nanofertilizers at scale with the backing of the national government, as part of efforts to improve nutrient use efficiency, limit fertilizer subsidies and reduce fertilizer import dependency. But some scientists have questioned the claimed benefits and the overall efficacy of these novel crop nutrient products.

Abstract

Across the globe, reducing nitrogen inputs to agricultural systems – and therefore their environmental and climate impacts – while maintaining global food production is becoming a major policy goal. The development of more efficient fertilizers, alongside other strategies for improving nutrient use efficiency (NUE), is seen as a stepping stone to agricultural sustainability and securing crop yields and quality (see article on page 16). Keywords: Nanofertilizers, Nano, Urea, DAP, Diammonium phosphate, India, IFFCO, Coromandel, Production, Foliar, Liquid, Fertilizers, Nutrient use efficiency, NUE, Crops, Trials, Application, Recommendations, Specifications

Add to basket


Who's who in pumping equipment

Summary

We profile leading suppliers of tailor-made pumps to the phosphate, potash and sulphur industries.

Abstract

Weir has developed an international reputation in the design and manufacture of pumps and valves for the sulphur, sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid industries. Keywords: Pumps, Pumping, Fertilizer, Production, Process, Equipment, Manufacturers, Industry, Phosphate, Sulphur, Sulphuric, Phosphoric, Sulzer, Weir, Lewis, Duchting, ITT, Goulds, Rheinhutte

Add to basket


SWIFT – a fluorine management game changer?

Summary

The newly-patented SWIFT process is designed to sequester fluorine at phosphoric acid plants in an environmentally responsible way. It can also offset the costs of fluorine management by generating a saleable dicalcium phosphate (DCP) end-product as an additional revenue stream. A number of capex and opex advantages provide the SWIFT process with highly favourable economics, as James Byrd of JESA Technologies explains.

Abstract

JESA Technologies (JT) launched SWIFT, a new fluorine management technology for phosphoric acid plants, at CRU’s Phosphate 2024 event in Warsaw earlier this year (Fertilizer International 520, p48). While primarily designed to sequester fluorine in an environmentally responsible way, the SWIFT process can also offset the costs of fluorine management by providing additional revenues. It does this by generating dicalcium phosphate (DCP) as a commercially saleable product. The flexibility of SWIFT is a key advantage as it means the process can be adapted and applied differently to match local circumstances. Keywords: Fluorine, Management, Recovery, Emissions, Control, Phosphoric acid, Process, Production, Plants, SWIFT, Technology, Capex, Opex, Valorisation, By products, DCP, Dicalcium phosphate

Add to basket