Improving N and P Use Efficiency with Polymer Technology

The microenvironment surrounding a P fertilizer granule or within a fluid P fertilizer band is subject to a series of primary and secondary reactions which substantially impact nutrient availability to plants.   Influencing or controlling these fixation reactions can and does impact P use efficiency from applied P fertilizers.  A recently patented chemistry of high charge density dicarboxylic copolymers has produced consistent effects on P uptake and crop yields and has improved P use efficiency through reduction of the activity of multivalent P fixing cations in these microenvironments.  A similar high charge density polymer has been patented for use with urea-containing fertilizers resulting in improved N use efficiency.  Effects are produced by slowed urea hydrolysis and  slowed nitrification via interactions with metalloenzymes in these reactions.

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Larry MurphyConsulting Agronomist
Murphy Agro
Murphyagro@sbcglobal.net


 A native of Greenfield, MO, Dr. Murphy earned his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Missouri.  In 1965, he joined the faculty of the Department of Agronomy at Kansas State University where he was responsible for teaching and research in soil fertility and fertilizer technology.  In 1978, he was appointed Great Plains Director for the Potash & Phosphate Institute (PPI) with responsibility for nine states (Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota) supervising PPI’s research and education programs in that region. 

     In 1988, Dr. Murphy was appointed Vice President of the PPI acting as Coordinator of North American programs and Director of Research.  From 1989-1996 he was Senior Vice President of that organization.

     Currently, Dr. Murphy is active as a consulting agronomist for several companies and serves as President of the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation managing the research and education programs of that organization.