Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers: Boosting Crop Production, Mitigating Environmental Impact

By Megan Winslow

Applying fertilizer requires a careful balancing act between using too little — which can be insufficient to support plant growth — and applying too much, which wastes money and can hurt the environment.

A newly published UF/IFAS review explains how enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) like controlled-release and slow-release varieties can help farmers maximize their yields while reducing their chances of hurting their pocketbooks or the planet.

Hardeep Singh, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of cropping systems, is the corresponding author of the document, a product of the institute’s ongoing Nutrient Management Program. It was published in the Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science.

“Enhanced efficiency fertilizer technology is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s an important tool in a broader nutrient management strategy,” Singh said. “Long-term success depends on matching the right fertilizer to the crop, soil and climate conditions.”