Farmers can make all the right decisions when it comes to fertilizer and crop management, but Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate. Whether it’s too much rain or not enough, moisture conditions can determine how effectively crops use the nutrients already in the soil. New technology is looking to help farmers better manage both moisture and nutrient availability.
One approach involves using a soil polymer to help retain moisture and nutrients near developing roots. Dr. Chad Godsey, soil scientist and chief agronomist with Green Evolution Technologies, explains how the company’s IntelliGel product is designed to work.
Godsey compares the polymer to a sponge in the soil. He says it can absorb water and dissolved nutrients when moisture is available, then release them as the soil begins to dry. The goal is to help keep those resources available to crops when growing conditions become less favorable.
While improved moisture and nutrient retention could offer benefits, farmers also have to consider whether a new technology fits their existing equipment and management practices.
Godsey says IntelliGel can be applied through several methods, including strip tillage, planting equipment, broadcasting, and air seeders, giving producers options depending on their operations.
Ultimately, the question for farmers is whether improved moisture and nutrient retention can deliver enough benefit to justify the additional expense. With input dollars already stretched thin, any new technology still has to demonstrate its value in the field.
