What is OEP?
OEP contains AVAIL, a phosphorus fertiliser enhancer. It has been specifically designed to protect fertiliser P from being fixed into unavailable forms in the soil by antagonistic elements such as iron, aluminium, calcium and magnesium.
By reducing the risk of fixation, OEP increases the availability of fertiliser applied phosphorus for greater uptake by the crop. This enhanced nutrient efficiency can lead to improved crop establishment, higher yields and better overall returns on P fertilisers.
AVAIL is coated onto granular phosphorus and is available in any fertiliser grade containing P, providing a simple solution to a complex problem – as evidenced by extensive independent UK field trials.
How does OEP work?
Plants take up phosphorus in its water-soluble phosphate form. Phosphate has a strong negative charge which fixes it to positively charged metals in the soil, e.g. iron and aluminium in acidic soils and calcium and magnesium in alkaline soils. The AVAIL coating is negatively charged and absorbs the positive antagonists, thereby shielding the phosphate from becoming fixed.
What effect does OEP have?
Independent work from Harper Adams University College showed better rooting, giving greater yield potential. 3 weeks from planting there was over a 40% increase in root mass where OEP with AVAIL treated phosphate was used.
What difference does OEP make?
In study after study, OEP with AVAIL has been shown to reduce phosphate fixation and boost potential yields – as much as 10-15%.