New tech claims to raise crop yields with less fertiliser

A new approach to crop nutrition could deliver higher yields with less fertiliser, by using bespoke compound products formulated using soil or tissue test results.

Most fertiliser is applied as straights or pre-determined blends. However, using blends can lead to farmers oversupplying some nutrients while others are undersupplied, resulting in waste and underperforming crops. 

To address this, Agro-Vital has launched Triplex, a crop nutrition technology that promises to transform the way farmers manage their fertiliser applications. 

See also: Low-carbon fertiliser: What products are in the pipeline?

Managing director Andrew Sincock explains that the technology is designed to deliver precise, sustainable and tailored nutrient applications based on farm-specific data, ensuring crops receive exactly what they need for optimum productivity.

“By delivering nutrients at the right time and in the right place, it will help farmers maximise their crop yields while reducing waste and environmental impact,” he says.

The Triplex system was developed in the Netherlands through extensive research and collaboration between Agro-Vital’s team of agronomists, engineers and data scientists.

The machine works by feeding in soil or sap analysis data from individual farms, allowing it to create bespoke liquid and foliar fertilisers that are tailored to specific crop needs and field conditions.

Not only does it vary the levels of macronutrients (N, P, K and S), it also includes a wide range of micronutrients. The fertiliser can be used for a wide range of crops including veg, cereals and potatoes. 

Andrew explains that one of the key benefits of Triplex is its rapid turnaround time.

“Once the farm-specific data is analysed, the system can create a tailored fertiliser programme in as little as 48 hours, allowing farmers to act quickly and efficiently,” he says.

“These bespoke fertiliser products are then delivered on farm in IBC containers, ready to be applied.”

Andrew says the speed of implementation is crucial, especially during key planting or growing periods, when timely nutrient applications can make a significant difference to crop performance.

The system has already seen success in pilot trials in the Netherlands, with promising results from early UK trials conducted ahead of the 2026 season. 

The service launches this spring and the company will be hosting on-farm events in February to showcase the technology.