More Profit from Nitrogen - Smart blended use of enhanced efficiency fertilisers to maximise sugarcane profitability

This project looks at increasing nitrogen (N) use efficiency in sugar. On sugarcane farms, losses of applied N through emissions, leaching and runoff are heavy after high rainfall or irrigation. Enhanced efficiency fertilisers (EEF), eg controlled-release urea and nitrification inhibitor-coated urea, can improve crop recovery of applied N, reduce N losses, and increase yield. Polymer-coated urea (PCU) releases N into soil up to seven months after fertilisation and/or rainfall, which could reduce N loss during wet Summers. However, inconsistent EEF performance and higher costs restrict adoption. This project assesses the potential of blending commercially available EEFs with conventional urea to better synchronise N supply with crop uptake. It will develop a decision-support tool to help growers select combinations of products.