Bean yield efficiency after treatment 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: Piraí Mirim farm area
- Demonstration crop variety: Sabiá Bean
- Date of experiment: March 2025
- Date of publication: 2025.07.07.
Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are a key crop in Brazil, essential for both the national diet and agricultural economy. Achieving high yields requires optimal nutrient management, especially in regions with variable soil fertility. Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRF) are increasingly recommended as a solution to improve nutrient use efficiency, reduce application frequency, and lower production costs while enhancing yield.
The Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains was tested in Piraí do Sul, PR, Brazil, to evaluate its agronomic performance in bean cultivation
Nousbo CRF test area
In the 2024/2025 season, the grower applied 100% Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains across the entire 40-hectare bean field at the minimum recommended dosage of 200 kg/ha. The fertilizer was applied once at planting, significantly reducing operational costs such as fuel, labor, 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 | |||||
| Beans | Conventional fertilization | [4-28-8] | 350 | – | 14 | 98 | 28 | 140 |
| [25-0-25] | 350 | – | 87.5 | – | 87.5 | 175 | ||
| Total | 700 | 2,581.1 | 101.5 | 98 | 115.5 | 315 | ||
| Nousbo : Sig cote -Beans | [14-9-15] | 200 | 2,936.5 | 28 | 18 | 30 | 76 | |
| [% to conventional] | [28.6%] | [113.8%] | [27.6%] | [18.4%] | [26.0%] | [24.1%] | ||
Table 1. Efficiency of Hi-Cote CRF blend for grains compared to conventional fertilization in Beans
In result, the Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains fertilizer applied at 200 kg/ha contributed to strong, uniform plant development across the entire field. The plants reached heights between 50 and 63 cm, reflecting vigorous vegetative growth. Root systems measured 30 to 42 cm in length, with a dense network of healthy lateral roots. Each plant produced between 11 and 27 pods, with individual pods containing an average of 6 to 8 grains. In some cases, plants produced up to 28 pods, with as many as 10 grains per pod, demonstrating the fertilizer’s ability to support high reproductive output. Sample plants (6 specimens selected randomly) achieved an average grain mass of 184.68 g. The grains were uniformly filled, with good size and weight, indicating that the nutrient release profile of Hi-Cote CRF supported sustained grain filling through to maturity.
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Mature pods with full grain formation
Mature pods with full grain formationThe Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains demonstrated significant improvements in productivity and plant development:
- Productivity gain: Yield increased by 13.8% compared to the farm’s previous conventional fertilization, while the fertilizer input was reduced by 72.4%.
- Plant performance: Vigorous growth, well-structured stems, balanced aerial parts, and no signs of nutrient deficiency were observed.
- Pods and grain quality: Large, well-filled pods with notable grain size and weight, supported by the steady nutrient release of the CRF technology.
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Bean plants in the field showing uniform growth, healthy foliage, and high pod density
The field trial confirmed that Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains is an effective solution for boosting bean yields and improving plant health even under conditions of previously identified soil nutrient deficiencies. The technology offers a reliable way to increase productivity while reducing operational costs in commercial bean production.
Based on these results, Npusbo’s Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains is recommended for bean cultivation at 200–250 kg/ha with a single application at planting to maximize yield potential and cost efficiency. For even greater productivity and return on investment, application at 250 kg/ha is advised.
