Proven nitrogen stabilizers can help corn farmers increase yield potential — and provide numerous environmental benefits. Unfortunately, misinformation within the agriculture industry continues to cause confusion about these products. So let’s look at the facts behind three of the most commonly repeated myths about nitrogen stabilizers to help you find the right solutions for your acres.
Myth 1: Nitrogen stabilizers tie up nitrogen, making it unavailable for corn to use.
Fact: N-Serve® and Instinct NXTGEN® nitrogen stabilizers do not “tie up” nitrogen. Rather, they protect the nutrient from loss by keeping nitrogen in the root zone for when corn needs it most.
The active ingredient in N-Serve and Instinct NXTGEN nitrogen stabilizers is nitrapyrin, trademarked as Optinyte® technology, which reduces the loss of nitrogen by slowing down the bacteria that convert ammonium to nitrate. By allowing nitrogen to remain in the ammonium form longer, leaching and denitrification are significantly reduced because the nitrate form is much more susceptible to these forms of loss than the ammonium form.
Myth 2: All nitrogen stabilizers are the same.
Fact: There are dozens of products on the market calling themselves “nitrogen stabilizers.” However, the active ingredient in them has a major impact on the benefits they can provide.
For example, many solutions contain an active ingredient called dicyandiamide (DCD). It takes about 30 times the amount of DCD to be as effective as the amount of Optinyte technology (nitrapyrin), the active ingredient in N-Serve and Instinct NXTGEN nitrogen stabilizers.1 Additionally, DCD is water-soluble and can leach away with the first significant rainfall event, in contrast to nitrapyrin, which remains in the root zone, continually protecting your nitrogen from losses.2
The graphic below shows three more metrics that set Optinyte technology apart from DCD. Find the data backing up these proof points here.
Myth 3: A stabilizer isn’t needed with spring or sidedress applications.
Fact: Nitrogen is vulnerable to loss no matter when it’s applied. Heavy spring rains and warming temperatures are some of the biggest drivers of leaching and denitrification. A proven nitrogen stabilizer protects against these losses, helping to ensure you get the best return on your nitrogen investment — no matter when it’s applied. In fact, N-Serve and Instinct NXTGEN nitrogen stabilizers are proven to increase corn yield potential by more than an average of 5.2% when used with spring applications.3
This video features a deeper dive into all three of these myths. Learn the facts from an expert in nutrient use efficiency as you plan for the 2024 season.
Whether you apply anhydrous ammonia, UAN, urea or liquid manure — and whether you make those applications in fall, spring or at sidedress — find the right solution to help maximize your return on investment by visiting NitrogenStabilizers.com.
References:
1Mullen, R. 2010. Nitrogen additives: What is what, and do they work? https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/4d7fc24c-9ce3-49d4-85d8-692aad8b4b6f/content
2Watanabe, T. 2006. Influence of 2-chloro-6 (trichloromethyl) pyridine and dicyandiamide on nitrous oxide emission under different soil conditions. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr. 52: 226–232.
3Wolt, J. D. 2004. A meta-evaluation of nitrapyrin agronomic and environmental effectiveness with emphasis on corn production in the Midwestern USA. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 69: 23–41.
Legals: ™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Instinct NXTGEN® is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Do not fall-apply anhydrous ammonia south of Highway 16 in the state of Illinois. Optinyte® is a registered active ingredient. Always read and follow label directions. © 2023 Corteva.
