Soybean crop performance improved with Nousbo Controlled Release Fertilizer in Brazil
- Experiment design : Dr. Kwon Oh Yeon, Chief Research Officer at Nousbo, Ph.D.
- Technical supervision: Fabiane Carla Diniz, Agronomist, Specialist in Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition, CREA PR218822/D
- Organization of the performance: FERTG Consulting
- Address: King Group Farms – “Campinas” Unit, Piraí do Sul, Paraná, Brazil
- Field location: Tijuco farm area
- Demonstration crop variety: GMO INTACTA IPRO 58I60RSF
- Date of experiment: March 2025
Soybeans (Glycine max L.) are one of Brazil’s most important crops, vital to both the national economy and global agricultural markets. Achieving strong yields depends on precise nutrient management, particularly in regions with variable soil fertility. Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRF) are increasingly recommended as a sustainable solution to improve nutrient use efficiency, reduce the need for repeated applications, and lower production costs while enhancing productivity.
The Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Soybeans was tested in Piraí do Sul, PR, Brazil, to evaluate its agronomic performance in commercial soybean farming.
Soybean field treated with Nousbo’s CRF technology (left) and soybean field treated with conventional fertilization (right)
In the 2024/2025 season, the farmer applied 100% Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Soybeans across 23.25 hectares, at a dosage of 190 kg/ha – slightly below Nousbo’s recommended minimum (200 kg/ha). The fertilizer was applied once at planting, reducing operational costs such as labor, fuel consumption, and machinery wear.
| Crop | Fertilization method | Nutrient content {N-P2O5-K2O} |
Fertilizer application rate (kg/ha) | Yield (kg/ha) | Application rate by nutrient (kg/ha) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N | P2O5 | K2O | Total | |||||
| Soybeans | Conventional fertilization | [5-25-25] | 300 | 3,816.0 | 15.0 | 75.0 | 75.0 | 165.0 |
| Nousbo : Sig cote – Corn | [4-14-31] | 190 | 4,306.4 | 7.6 | 26.6 | 58.9 | 93.1 | |
| [% to conventional] | [63.3%] | [112.9%] | [50.7%] | [35.5%] | [78.5%] | [56.4%] | ||
Table 1. Efficiency of Hi-Cote CRF blend for grains compared to conventional fertilization in Corn
As a result, Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Soybeans applied at 190 kg/ha contributed to vigorous, uniform crop development across the entire area. Plants reached heights between 77 and 115 cm, and root systems developed to depths of 17 to 27 cm, with dense nodulation supporting efficient biological nitrogen fixation. On average, each plant produced 169 pods, with a grain mass of 1,736 g across 54 sampled plants – representing a 20% gain in grain mass compared to the conventional fertilization.
Healthy soybean pods with good grain filling
Hi-Cote Controlled Release Fertilizer supported consistent growth and grain filling through to maturity, even under conditions of previously identified soil nutrient deficiencies:
- Productivity gain: Yield increased by 12.9% compared to conventional fertilization, while total fertilizer input was reduced by 36.7%.
- Plant performance: The crop showed vigorous growth, robust stems, balanced aerial parts, and no visible nutrient deficiencies.
- Pod and grain quality: The plants produced large, well-filled pods with uniformly sized grains, demonstrating the steady nutrient supply provided by the CRF technology.
Mature soybean plants showing strong pod formation and healthy senescence
The field trial confirms that Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Soybeans is an effective solution for improving soybean yields and crop health. The technology offers a reliable strategy for increasing productivity while reducing operational costs in commercial soybean farming.
Soybean plants treated with Nousbo’s HI-COTE CRF Blend developed a highly active root system with a visibly increased number of nitrogen-fixing nodules. This indicates that the gradual and balanced nutrient release provided by the CRF technology effectively supported the Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) process. Well-nourished roots stimulated nodule formation and enhanced overall plant health, enabling more efficient natural nitrogen uptake.
Enhanced Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) observed in Nousbo-treated soybeans
Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Soybeans is recommended at 200–250 kg/ha with a single application at planting. For maximum yield and cost-effectiveness, application at 250 kg/ha is advised.
