How farmer cut phosphorous costs and improved wheat yields

As farmers continue to scrutinise every input cost, improving phosphorus use efficiency is becoming an increasingly important part of crop nutrition strategies.

Although phosphate fertiliser remains essential for many businesses, less than 10% of soil-applied phosphorus is typically recovered by the crop, with much of it becoming locked up in the soil.

That has prompted growers to ask whether better use could be made of the phosphorus already present in their fields.

One of those growers is Russell McKenzie, who set out to investigate whether biological products could reduce reliance on traditional phosphate fertiliser without compromising yield.

Russell McKenzie © Unium Bioscience

“This led to a three-year project comparing the farm’s standard 200kg/ha DAP programme with 1 litre/ha of Luxor as a phosphate source in the first year,” explains Russell.

“In years two and three, the approach was adjusted to 0.5 litres/ha of Luxor combined with 0.5 litres/ha of Calfite Extra to improve nutrient use efficiency in second and third wheats.”

In the first year, Luxor alone outperformed DAP, delivering an additional 0.9-1.3t/ha in first and second wheats.

During years two and three, the addition of Calfite Extra continued to deliver, with yield increases of 0.65-1t/ha in year two and 0.65-0.7t/ha in an even more challenging third season.

Across all three seasons, the programme consistently matched – and often outperformed – the conventional DAP programme. “The added bonus is we’re achieving it at a fraction of the cost,” says Russell.

Russell now uses Unium Bioscience’s Luxor and Calfite Extra routinely across the farm. His 2026 harvest has again showed yield improvements as products were added to the programme.

In winter oilseed rape, yields increased from 4.26 t/ha with an autumn Luxor + Calfite Extra application to 5.04 t/ha when followed by Calfite Extra at green bud and Klorofill at mid-flowering. In winter wheat, the Luxor + Calfite Extra programme delivered a 0.49 t/ha yield uplift, increasing to 0.83 t/ha when followed by T6P at GS55.

According to Agrovista’s head of soil health, Chris Martin, Russell’s experience reflects findings from a much wider programme of replicated trials and commercial farm demonstrations.

Chris Martin © Unium Bioscience

Using Luxor and Calfite Extra as part of an innovative phosphorus programme costs £47/ha, compared with £107/ha for a traditional soil-applied phosphate programme (69kg/ha phosphate), delivering a saving of around £60/ha at July 2026 fertiliser prices.

“We’re consistently seeing yield responses that go beyond parity,” says Chris. “Growers are reducing phosphate inputs while maintaining and often improving crop performance.”

Backed by robust data

“We’ve got three years of data from plot trials, tramline trials, split-field demonstrations and commercial farms, and the results have been outstanding.

“Phosphorus is incredibly immobile. Once it’s applied, it reacts with other elements in the soil and quickly becomes locked up. The roots can’t reach it, and it can’t reach the roots.”

Chris explains that many soils already contain significant reserves of phosphorus that remain inaccessible to crops.

“For years we’ve been importing phosphate from overseas, applying it to our fields and seeing much of it become unavailable almost immediately,” he says.

“It highlights just how important nutrient efficiency has become. Rather than continually applying more phosphorus, we should be asking how we can make better use of what’s already there.”

A programme designed to improve uptake

Agrovista’s programme begins with a phosphorus liberator before Luxor and Calfite Extra are applied at the two- to three-leaf stage, followed by a second application at late tillering.

The application fits neatly into existing agronomy programmes and can be tank-mixed with early-season sprays, including BYDV treatments, avoiding the need for an extra field pass.

“The phosphorus liberator helps unlock existing reserves in the soil, while Luxor and Calfite Extra improve phosphorus uptake and plant availability during the period when crops need it most,” says Chris.

“When I was studying agronomy, we were taught that foliar-applied phosphorus simply didn’t work. Advances in formulation have completely changed that.”

The programme has been extensively evaluated across several Agrovista trial sites nationwide, including the Lamport Technology Centre in Northamptonshire, alongside tramline demonstrations and commercial farm trials.

Plant sap, tissue and grain analysis have all confirmed improved phosphorus uptake.

“Before using Luxor and Calfite Extra, grain phosphorus results at Lamport frequently measured below the critical threshold of 0.32%.

“With the programme, it consistently exceeds that level, so we know the products are improving phosphorus nutrition.”

“There’s a lot of innovation in the biological market, but growers rightly want proof. Luxor and Calfite Extra are among the best nutritional biostimulant technologies I’ve seen in more than 30 years of agronomy because they consistently deliver.”

As pressure continues to grow on farm margins, Chris believes improving nutrient efficiency will play an increasingly important role in future crop nutrition strategies.

“The message is simple: Luxor and Calfite Extra work. They improve phosphorus uptake, reduce reliance on applied phosphate and consistently deliver a return for growers.”

Visit the Unium Bioscience website to learn more about the products.