Precise spreading
Physical quality
Accurate nutrient application starts with high-quality fertiliser granules. Consistent density, granule size, hardness, shape, and resistance to caking ensure reliable spreading performance, smooth product flow, and uniform nutrient distribution across the field.
Uneven spreading can create visible light and dark stripes in crops, leading to inefficient nutrient use, yield losses, and reduced crop quality. High-quality fertilisers help achieve precise application, even at wide working widths.
High density
Granular fertilisers from LAT Nitrogen have a density above 0.9 t/m³
Optimised granule size
90% of granules measure 2 to 5 mm
Resistance to clumping
Granule hardness
Benefits
Delivering performance from every granule
Accurate and uniform nutrient distribution
Reliable spreading performance, even under challenging conditions
Reduced dust and improved product flow
Better nutrient use efficiency
Improved crop uniformity, yield, and quality
Consistent physical quality across all LAT Nitrogen products
Uniform distribution, better results
The quality of fertiliser distribution is measured by the Coefficient of Variation (CV). The lower the CV, the more uniform the nutrient distribution.
CV 0-10%: Good
CV 10-15%: Moderate
CV >15%: Poor
Nitrogen distribution
Precise nitrogen application is essential for maximizing both yield and crop quality. Poor fertiliser distribution can result in visible stripes or waves across the field, causing areas of significant over- or under-application.
Uneven nitrogen distribution leads to differences in crop development, reduced yield potential, and lower protein content. At the same time, applying nitrogen above the economic optimum increases costs, reduces profitability, and raises the risk of nutrient losses to the environment.
Accurate spreading ensures that nutrients are delivered where they are needed, supporting uniform crop growth, efficient nitrogen use, and optimum economic returns.
Uneven nitrogen distribution
A common misconception is that uneven fertiliser application will balance out across the field. In reality, areas receiving excess nitrogen cannot compensate for the yield losses in under-fertilised areas.
This is because crop response to nitrogen follows a diminishing returns curve: once the optimum nitrogen rate is reached, additional fertiliser delivers only limited yield benefits. In contrast, areas receiving too little nitrogen can suffer significant reductions in yield and crop quality.
As a result, uneven nitrogen distribution lowers overall field performance, reduces nitrogen use efficiency, and can negatively affect both yield and protein content, even in the absence of visible crop damage.
Illustration of yield and revenue effects resulting from nitrogen application rates below and above the economic optimum (200 kg N/ha). Because the nitrogen response curve flattens near the optimum, the losses caused by under-fertilization (red) are greater than the gains achieved through over-fertilization (green).
Phosphorus distribution
Phosphorus is largely immobile in the soil and remains close to where the fertiliser granule is placed. As a result, roots must grow toward the location of the dissolved granule to access the applied phosphorus. Therefore, a uniform distribution of phosphorus across the field is essential for efficient nutrient uptake.
Complex NPK fertilisers provide a more uniform phosphorus distribution than bulk blends. Because every granule in a complex fertiliser contains all nutrients, phosphorus is distributed evenly throughout the field. In contrast, in a bulk blend only a proportion of the granules contain phosphorus, resulting in larger distances between phosphorus application points.
More uniform phosphorus distribution
Even when a bulk blend is perfectly mixed and no segregation occurs during handling, transport, or spreading, complex fertilisers still achieve superior phosphorus distribution. For example, when applying 300 kg/ha of a COMPLEX 20-10-8 fertiliser, the average distance between phosphorus-containing granules is approximately 4.6 cm. In an equivalent blend containing DAP, the average distance between phosphorus granules increases to about 10.3 cm.
Precision Phosphorus Delivery
The phosphorus distribution achieved with COMPLEX 15/15/15 + 8SO₃ + Zn is significantly denser and more uniform than with straight phosphorus fertilisers such as DAP or TSP.
supporting crop performance
supporting uniform growth and efficiency
Uniform nutrient distribution
Improved nutrient accessibility
Better root uptake of phosphorus
More uniform crop establishment
Consistent crop development
Higher nutrient use efficiency
Higher yields across Europe
Twenty-three field trials conducted between 1988 and 1992 with various crops in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, and France demonstrated higher yields with COMPLEX NPK fertilizers compared with bulk-blended fertilizers. The average yield increase was 400 kg per hectare.
Reference: E. Schöningh, Limburgerhof, BASF, 1993.