Article •  6/24/2022

Out of thin air: Harnessing atmospheric nitrogen to feed plants

Something went wrong. Please try again later...
IMG-AdobeStock_193321962-Corteva-V2

Nitrogen, an essential nutrient for many crops, is also one of the most expensive inputs for farmers each season. More nitrogen availability boosts yield. But with high nitrogen costs and the potential for negative environmental impact, simply adding more nitrogen to the soil isn’t always the most sustainable or economical answer.

Utrisha™ N nutrient efficiency optimizer, a biological product from Corteva Agriscience, is a new way to get more nitrogen into crops without adding more nitrogen to the soil. Utrisha N is an all-natural treatment for supplemental nitrogen, which means it helps plants maximize nutrient use. The active ingredient in Utrisha N is a naturally occurring bacterium. When it’s applied as a spray to the leaves of a plant, the bacteria enter through the stomata and colonize the plant. These specialized bacteria feed on the plant’s natural byproducts and grow with the plant, all while turning atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be readily utilized by the plant.

Because Utrisha N enables plants to capture nitrogen from the air, it’s a good companion to sidedress fertilizers and nitrogen stabilizers such as Instinct® nitrogen stabilizer. Together, they allow crops to maximize their nutrient uptake from both above-and below-ground sources.

Utrisha N is a convenient fit for a range of farm management practices. It helps farmers better control timing, use rate and location of nitrogen applications, has no risk of leaching or volatilization and is approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). For farmers looking to reduce the economic and environmental footprint of nitrogen applications, this natural option for using nitrogen right from the atmosphere contributes to healthier harvests and farms.

IMG-Utrisha-N-Corteva-V1
IMG-Utrisha-N-Corteva-V1

Utrisha N nutrient efficiency optimizer is a natural product that captures nitrogen from the atmosphere and converts it to nutrients for plant use. Nitrogen management programs that utilize Utrisha N, as well as fertilizers and nitrogen stabilizers, provide plants with above- and below-ground sources of nitrogen.

Utrisha™ N nitrogen efficiency optimizer and Instinct® nitrogen stabilizer are not registered for sale or use in all states or countries. Contact your local regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Always read and follow label directions.