Corn yield increased 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: Butiá farm area
- Demonstration crop variety: TP1 Transgenic Grain B2801PWU DM PON LUMI
- Date of experiment: March 2025
Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of Brazil’s most important grain crops, playing a vital role in animal nutrition, biofuel production, and the agricultural economy. Achieving high productivity requires careful nutrient management, especially under conditions of variable soil fertility. Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRF) are increasingly recommended to enhance nutrient use efficiency, reduce the number of fertilizer applications, lower production costs, and support higher yields.
The Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains was tested in Piraí do Sul, PR, Brazil, to evaluate its agronomic performance in corn cultivation.
Corn harvest from the Brazil field trial with Nousbo’s CRF
In the 2024/2025 season, the farmer applied 100% Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains to the 23.38-hectare corn area, at the minimum recommended dosage (400 kg/ha). Fertilizer was applied once at planting, reducing operational costs, including labor, fuel consumption, and equipment 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 | |||||
| Corn (Maize) | Conventional fertilization | [13-31-0] | 350 | – | 45.5 | 108 | – | 154.0 |
| [25-0-25] | 230 | – | 57.5 | – | 57.5 | 115.0 | ||
| [25-0-25] | 300 | – | 75.0 | – | 75.0 | 150.0 | ||
| Total | 880 | 11,177.6 | 178.0 | 108.5 | 132.5 | 419.0 | ||
| Nousbo : Sig cote – Corn | [35-3-3] | 400 | 12,999.1 | 140.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 164.0 | |
| [% to conventional] | [54.5%] | [116.3%] | [78.7.6%] | [11.1%] | [9.1%] | [39.1%] | ||
Table 1. Efficiency of Hi-Cote CRF blend for grains compared to conventional fertilization in Corn
As a result, Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains applied at 400 kg/ha contributed to vigorous, uniform corn development in the 23.38-hectare field. Plants reached heights of 2.10 to 2.22 meters and developed strong root systems measuring 90 to 95 cm, with the largest mass concentration in the upper 48 cm. Each plant formed an average of one cob, with 18 to 20 kernels per row, and a grain mass of 623.36 g (average from 4 sample plants).
Uniform grains and cobs with clear coloration and good health, showing minimal chemical damage
The fertilizer’s controlled nutrient release supported continuous plant growth and grain filling through to maturity, even under conditions of previously identified soil nutrient deficiencies:
- Productivity gain: Yield increased by 16.3% compared to conventional fertilization, with a 54.5% reduction in total fertilizer input.
- Plant performance: The crop showed vigorous vegetative growth, sturdy and well-formed stalks, proportional aerial parts, and no visible nutrient deficiencies.
- Cob and grain quality: The plants produced large, uniform cobs with consistently well-filled kernels, reflecting the steady nutrient supply provided by the CRF technology.
Plant with above-ground parts showing senescence and maturation, good-quality grains, and significant filling
The field trial confirms that Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains is an effective solution for increasing corn yields and improving plant health. The technology offers a reliable path to greater productivity and operational efficiency in commercial corn farming
Hi-Cote CRF Blend for Grains is recommended for corn cultivation at 400–500 kg/ha, with a single application at planting. For maximum yield and cost-benefit, an application rate of 500 kg/ha is advised.
