Breakthrough to help farmers cut fertiliser use

A York-headquartered agricultural technology company has developed a bacteria-based product it says can cut farmers' fertiliser use by up to 25 per cent as prices remain volatile.

Based in Dunnington, Azotic Technologies develops biological solutions to improve nitrogen efficiency. The company says its technologies can help farmers mitigate the risk of future food shortages as a result of rising fertiliser costs and supply uncertainty caused by factors such as global conflicts.

The company has seen a rise in enquiries following disruption to global fertiliser markets earlier this year, linked to instability in the Middle East and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz – a key route for energy supplies used in fertiliser production.

Azotic’s product, Encera, contains a naturally occurring bacterium that enables crops to access nitrogen internally, supplying a steady source throughout the growing season, in the right place at the right time.

This helps improve nitrogen efficiency and reduce overall fertiliser requirements, while supporting crop performance.

The technology works inside the plant to provide a consistent supply of nitrogen throughout the season, an approach the company describes as Systemic Nitrogen Fixation.

Sander Pabbruwee, chief executive at Azotic, said: “Farmers are under real pressure to produce the same yields with less fertiliser. Our technology helps them do exactly that, by enabling crops to access nitrogen naturally from within the plant itself.

“Most nitrogen fertilisers are produced using energy-intensive processes that rely heavily on natural gas. When disruption hits, prices rise quickly and farmers feel it immediately.

“What we’re hearing from farmers and growers is clear, they are looking for more consistent and predictable ways to manage inputs. By improving nitrogen efficiency, they can protect both their margins and their long-term resilience.”

Encera can be used across a range of crops, including wheat, maize, oilseed rape and potatoes, delivering consistent nitrogen supply from within the plant and supporting strong crop performance.

Originally discovered in Brazilian sugar cane, the bacterium behind Encera was developed over 20 years of research before being commercialised by Azotic.

Farmers are already seeing the benefits in practice. Derek Cornforth, who farms near Sutton Bank said he had adopted the product following a trial on his farm.

“The results spoke for themselves. With fertiliser prices where they are, anything that helps reduce what I need to buy while still delivering a good crop is a real advantage.”

As fertiliser markets continue to stabilise only gradually, Azotic believes interest in approaches that improve nitrogen efficiency will remain strong.

Even as supply begins to recover, disruption in global fertiliser markets is likely to have a lasting impact, with prices and availability taking time to stabilise. As a result, farmers are increasingly reassessing how they manage nitrogen inputs.