Secondary Nutrients in Fibrophos®

With today's higher yielding crops, deficiencies of secondary elements are often the cause of yield loss. Fibrophos® is not just a PK fertiliser. Fibrophos® fertilisers contain a wide range of secondary nutrients and important trace elements in significant quantities.

Sulphur in Fibrophos®

Fibrophos® contains good levels of Sulphur - typically 7% SO3. Sulphur deficiencies are now widespread with much of the country receiving less than 40 kg/ha/year and all too often are detected too late to take effective action. Fibrophos® supplies good levels of sulphur, significantly reducing the risk of deficiency and improving both yield and quality in many cases. Regular applications of Fibrophos® will supply most of the sulphur required for most situations. Oilseed rape and brassica crops respond particularly well to high levels of sulphur in Fibrophos®.

There are several fertilisers which claim to have additional elements included with them but this does not always mean that they are available to the crop. Chemical analysis of Fibrophos® has indicated that many of the secondary and trace elements known to be present are in available forms. 

  • SO2 emissions in the UK are set to decrease to 40% of the 1980 level by 2003.

  • 22% of British farmland will be at high risk of sulphur deficiency by 2003.

  • Sulphur is highly leachable and generally does not remain in soil over winter.

  • Sulphur deficiency is the cause of rising leaf spot levels in oilseed rape.

  • Sulphur deficiencies are commonly noticed too late to take action.

Magnesium in Fibrophos®

In grassland situations, magnesium improves the feed value of grass and inadequate supplies can lead to grass tetany. Regular applications of Fibrophos® (typically 5% MgO) maintain good levels of magnesium in the soil, thus reducing the risk of grass staggers in livestock.

For arable crops, magnesium deficiencies are a problem for potatoes and sugar beet. Other crops can show symptoms - but often too late to rectify. Regular applications of Fibrophos® will maintain adequate reserves in the soil thus reducing the risk of yield loss.

  • Magnesium recommendations are generally based on available Mg levels (soil analysis) and are expressed as kg/MgO/ha.

  • Magnesium levels in grass are influenced by application of Nitrogen and Potash.

  • Inadequate supplies of Magnesium in grass can lead to grass tetany.

  • Feeding standards recommend not less than 0.18% Mg in dietary dry matter for milking cows.

Sodium in Fibrophos®

 Havn't you heard of Fibrophos' Sodium appeal?

Sodium is known to dramatically improve the palatability of grass and maintain a healthy pasture. Cattle and sheep often favour pastures where Fibrophos® (typically 3% Na2O) has been applied and the feed value of the grass is enhanced. It is also an important nutrient required for growing sugar beet. Regular applications of Fibrophos® help maintain a healthy balance in the pasture.

  • Sodium is measured as Na2O.

  • Uptake of Sodium is stimulated by applications of Nitrogen.

  • Deficiencies occur when herbage levels fall below 0.15% Na.

  • Feeding standards recommend not less than 0.15% Na in dietry matter for milking cows and 0.3% to 0.5% for optimum palatability.

Graph - The relationship between tetany and Na content
Graph - The relationship between K;Na ratio in diet and calving interval in dairy cows

Graph - Rye Grass Pot Trial - Cumulative Dry Weight
Graph - Rye Grass Pot Trial - Sodium Uptake
Graph - Rye Grass Pot Trial - Magnesium Uptake

Calcium in Fibrophos®

Regular applications of Fibrophos® increase soil pH, improving availability of other nutrients such as sodium and saving on liming costs. The neutralising value (NV) of Fibrophos® is 15%.

  • Many grassland areas become acidic unless limed regularly.

  • There is a financial penalty on most crops when pH falls below 6.

  • Agricultural Lime Producers Council recommend 4 million tonnes per annum should be applied in England and Wales - only 2.8 million tonnes are currently applied.

  • It is estimated that only one third of grassland in the UK receives adequate lime.

  • Nitrogen 'uses' lime - 186 kg/ha N needs about 330 kg lime/ha (as AN).

  • Lime can be leached - estimated at between 500-1250 kg/ha lime per annum.

[ Home ] [ What is Fibrophos ] [ Specification ] [ Phosphate ] [ Potash ] [ Secondary ] [ Trace ] [ Grassland ] [ Arable ] [ Spreading ] [ How to Buy ] [ Contact ]