Understanding Terms and Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Products Designed for Agricultural Applications.

Improving efficiency of fertilizers and maximizing nutrient use efficiency is a major emphasis for economic, regulatory and environmental reasons. The most recent NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Guidance includes and references use of “Enhanced Efficiency” fertilizers as an important approach to modern management practices. Unfortunately many agronomists are not familiar with the many EE fertilizers available or the characteristics of their nutrient release. Nor is there a good understanding of the terminology associated with labeling and claims for these products for agricultural applications. To assure proper guidance and development of nutrient management plans, should become familiar with, and know how to recommend EE products that actually qualify as and perform as EE fertilizers in agricultural (versus specialty) applications. The AAPFCO (Association of American Plant Food Control Officials) has addressed the need to support agronomists in this effort. They have been developing tools to assist in the selection and understanding of products that qualify based on long standing regulatory guidance. A review of the results of AAPFCO and Industry cooperative efforts developing these tools will be presented. There will be specific focus on understanding how EE fertilizers are labeled, claims that are allowed by regulation, and reviews of product release profiles. Additionally, new methodology to assess nutrient release characteristics of various EE materials will be discussed.