Maximizing yield potential is only possible with a well-planned nutrition program. Key among the applied nutrients is phosphate, which is essential for robust early root development and throughout the growing season. Balancing immediately available phosphate against the potential for soil tie-up, leaching or runoff can be a challenge and can leave growers concerned if their crops will have access to nutrients throughout the growing season. Ostara’s Crystal Green® has entered the market as the most innovative and latest advancement in sustainable fertilization that addresses these challenges.

Crystal Green is a struvite-based, slow-release, organic acid soluble phosphate fertilizer that is available when your crops need phosphorus, throughout the season. As plant roots grow, the root exudes organic acids that dissolve minerals, like those in Crystal Green, from the soil. Crystal Green is easily dissolved by root exudates, so as the crop continues to grow and requires more phosphorus, Crystal Green will provide needed nutrients. Compared to traditional soluble fertilizers like MAP or DAP, where nutrient availability is not crop driven, Crystal Green remains the only phosphate fertilizer where crop demand drives nutrient release; delivering increased yield, crop quality and with a positive environmental outcome.

 As Crystal Green is organic acid soluble, phosphorus is available throughout the season to maximize yield and profit.

For over 14 years, Ostara has conducted field trials to understand how Crystal Green is best used in a range of crops and soil types. Results have shown, when applied in-furrow, banded, or incorporated yield and fertilizer efficiency improve. Ostara conducted a series of trials in the U.S. Corn Belt to determine the potential benefits for growers.

Compared to standard grower practices in 2020 Illinois corn trials, the Crystal Green phosphate fertilization program improved yield by five bushels per acre and grain test weight increased by eight milligrams per seed.

Further trials have investigated how much Crystal Green would carry-over from the corn crop to rotational crops, such as soybeans or wheat. Since it’s not water soluble, any Crystal Green fertilizer remaining will be available for subsequent crops. To model how this might work, multi-location trials conducted on soybeans in 2019, and 2020 compared grower practice to a Crystal Green phosphate program with reduced application rates. 

The trial results showed that at even very low application rates, 50% or less of recommended P, Crystal Green produced 5% greater grain yields and a 21% increase in stand counts. The low application rate and unique solubility of Crystal Green activated the crop’s own high affinity response to reduced phosphate. As a result, yields increased and so did overall fertilizer efficiency.

Crystal Green is the ideal choice for growers exploring phosphate fertilizer options to boost yield, promote soil health and save costs, while also reducing their environmental footprint. Crystal Green puts crops in control of their nutrient needs and ensures availability season after season. Find out more at Ostara.com or contact us at [email protected].