Granular Inefficiencies: Focus On ROI Rather Than Just Yield
Information
This trial had three series of replications – 0kg MAP, 75kg MAP and 180kg MAP per HA. Microsoil products were applied in two passes, one early and one late tillering. Clearly identified are the granular inefficiencies of applying large amounts of granular synthetic fertiliser with a view towards chasing extra yield. Microsoil trials have often found that the addition of more than 35kg MAP to our products will not demonstrate a positive impact on yield. Note that while slightly higher yields were achieved with 180kg MAP the best return to the farmer was achieved with 0kg MAP given input costs. It is important to have sufficient nutrient present to get a crop well established and a smarter approach is to chase yield later in the year if the season shapes up well. The inefficiencies of granular fertiliser highlight why many Microsoil clients are going down a path of liquid injecting Microsoil NPK Starter fertilisers. Interestingly there was no difference noted in crop yields in the subsequent two years since this trial despite the large differences in the amount of MAP applied. Trial conducted by: Landmark.
Benefits
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Higher ROI with Lower Input Costs
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Reduced Granular Fertiliser Waste & Inefficiencies
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Sustainable & Flexible Nutrient Management
Granular Inefficiencies At Junee
A replicated wheat trial conducted by Landmark at Junee Reefs, NSW, examined the effectiveness of various MAP fertilisation rates and how they interacted with Microsoil products. The trial tested three fertilisation treatments: 0kg MAP, 75kg MAP, and 180kg MAP per hectare, all of which received 230kg of nitrogen (as urea) throughout the growing season. Microsoil products were applied as a two-pass foliar treatment, once early and once late tillering.
The results highlighted the granular inefficiencies of high granular MAP applications in achieving yield gains proportional to input costs. While 180kg MAP yielded slightly higher at 3.018 t/ha, the best economic return came from 0kg MAP, which had a gross margin of $537/ha compared to $446/ha for 180kg MAP due to significantly lower input costs.
Notably, the yield differences between high and low MAP treatments did not carry over into subsequent seasons, reinforcing that excess granular fertilisation provided no lasting benefit to soil productivity. The findings suggest that farmers can achieve better ROI by applying essential nutrients upfront while chasing additional yield later only if seasonal conditions justify the investment.
These results support a shift toward liquid Microsoil NPK Starter fertilisers, offering greater nutrient efficiency, flexibility, and cost savings compared to traditional granular-based programs. The data demonstrates why more farmers are moving away from granular inefficiencies in favor of Microsoil’s advanced liquid nutrition solutions.
