12/13/2022

POLYON^® controlled release fertilizer (CRF) blends provide great value to growers across crops and production systems. POLYON^® fertilizer is custom blended into fertilizer solutions that optimize release rates of nutrients to address specific grower needs. Nutrients are metered via temperature-activated diffusion. Just like any blend used in turfgrass or greenhouses, agriculture industry blends are durable with predictable performance.

The list of crops that have been proven to increase in value because of POLYON® fertilizer is growing every day. One crop that has seen great improvements due to POLYON® fertilizer is snap beans. Snap bean growers have utilized POLYON^® fertilizer to reduce applications and total nutrients applied without compromising yields.

POLYON® Controlled-Release Fertilizer Increases Snap Bean Yield

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences research studies demonstrated POLYON^® fertilizer application benefits in snap beans. A 2021 rate study compared conventional fertilizer and POLYON^® fertilizer sources of nitrogen on snap beans. On average, POLYON^® fertilizer banded treatments yielded 8% greater than the conventional ammonium nitrate treatments across N rates.

The current recommended N rate from the University of Florida is 100 lb/ac. In this trial, the 100 lb N/ac treatments of POLYON^®, both banded and broadcast-applied, were among the top-yielding treatments at both harvest dates. They were also significantly greater than the 100 lb N/ac rate of conventional application. This indicates that a single POLYON^® fertilizer preplant application was equal to or better than 100 lb N/ac of a conventional source split into three applications.

POLYON® Fertilizer Helps to Reduce Leaching

The soil nitrate-nitrogen data suggested that in conventional treatments, N leached below the root zone during much of this trial. And it appears that the POLYON^® fertilizer sources are more likely to maintain higher levels in the root zone, which is available for plant growth throughout the season.

Correspondingly, a study in 2020 also compared a conventional grower fertilizer program to a single preplant application of a POLYON^® fertilizer blend. The study revealed that soil N content was over four times greater in plots with the POLYON^® fertilizer application than in the conventional grower program after the heavy rainfall.

This signified reduced leaching and environmental impact with the use of a POLYON^® fertilizer blend. Further studies with the University of Florida are evaluating application methods for snap bean yield, nutrient efficiency and environmental impact, with results to come.

Contact Your Harrell's Rep to Discuss Increasing Snap Bean Yields

Great snap bean yields can be achieved while increasing farm operation efficiency and environmental benefits. Harrell's POLYON® controlled-release fertilizer blends are engineered to provide nutrients over time at a predictable rate under specified conditions. To find the right POLYON® controlled-release fertilizer product for you, reach out to your local Harrell's Rep.