Maize growers are being advised to consider adding the nitrogen stabiliser Instinct to extend the nutrient's availability to plants while they establish.

Corteva Agriscience says the stabiliser has demonstrated reductions in nitrogen leaching of approximately 50%, and denitrification through greenhouse gases of around 45%.

This means the nitrogen in slurries, digestate, or other fertilisers, is kept where it is needed as maize crops develop.

"Maize establishment season is upon us and huge amounts of slurry and digestate will be applied to crops to get them off to the best possible start," says Clare Stapley, Category Marketing Manager for Corteva.

"For efficiency, agronomic, and environmental reasons, it's logical to keep as much of the nitrogen in those inputs where they need to be.

"Stabilisers increase and extend nitrogen availability. Across our trials programme the average yield response is over 10%."

Instinct utilises Corteva's unique Optinyte technology, keeping more nitrogen in the soil for longer periods, significantly improving use efficiency. The product works by slowing down the conversion of ammonium to nitrate, preventing nitrogen loss through leaching and denitrification, and ensuring more remains in the rooting zone.

Application is flexible – Instinct can be mixed into slurry or digestate before field application, or sprayed on shortly after. It's also compatible with any fertiliser containing ammonia, such as sludge, urea, UAN, and ammonium nitrate.

"The most important element of use is ensuring good soil contact, so it should be applied before cultivation, or when rain is due to ensure good incorporation," adds Clare.

For dairy farms specifically, Instinct offers significant advantages, particularly for maize crops which often face nitrogen limitations due to current regulations.

"Forage maize has an NMAX limit of 150 kgs N/ha so it is often undersupplied with nitrogen," says Ryan Came-Johnson, Area Manager for Corteva in the South of England.

"Modern varieties are typically higher yielding and therefore may have higher nitrogen requirements. If they don't get adequate nutrition, they will never reach their full yield potential."

The timing of nitrogen availability is another crucial factor that Instinct addresses for maize growers.

"Because of the way maize is grown it generally receives all of its fertiliser and nitrogen requirements at drilling," Ryan explains.

"However, maize actually has a large nitrogen requirement later on in its growth stages. By applying Instinct and keeping the nitrogen in its most available form for longer you're making it more available at that later time when the maize needs it the most."

The economic case for using Instinct is also compelling.

"By applying Instinct, which is a fraction of the cost of nitrogen, farmers could potentially apply less artificial nitrogen because they're getting more from what they are applying and getting increased nitrogen availability from their manure applications. By making it more available for longer, you lose less so you don't need to apply as much," explains Ryan.

"You don't need to necessarily change what you put on, Instinct just makes everything work better and more economically."

As well as maize, the stabiliser can be used on cereals, oilseed rape, sugar beet, potatoes, and grass.