HOMEThe agricultural sector is being hit hard by an economic climate marked by unprecedented volatility and a continuous rise in input prices. Nitrogen has become the largest variable cost for many crops, putting significant pressure on farm profitability.
Aware of these challenges, Lidea, a leading European seed company, is reaffirming its commitment to growers by offering innovative genetic solutions designed to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilisers and optimise every unit applied.
Improve nitrogen efficiency in your corn crops with Nitro Boost
With Nitro Boost, Lidea is trialling an innovative seed treatment that enhances the plant’s metabolism (biostimulation) and utilises beneficial bacteria to capture atmospheric nitrogen and unlock soil-based nitrogen, making it available to the roots (biofertilisation). By enriching the soil with accessible nitrogen and improving root function, Nitro Boost enables a reduction in mineral nitrogen input by 20 to 40 units per hectare (depending on the cropping system) while maintaining optimal yields.
Rapeseed: Azot Master, genetic innovation for greater efficiency
Nitrogen management in rapeseed is a key driver of profitability. After 10 years of research and development, Lidea has launched Azot Master, a systemic approach to nitrogen efficiency.
“Since nitrogen is the single biggest expense for farmers, Lidea has been incorporating nitrogen efficiency into its breeding programmes for years” explained Anthony Rodrigues E Silva, Technical Development Coordinator at Lidea.
Thanks to a robust R&D trial network – 1,500 micro-plots across 7 sites in Europe – Lidea has selected varieties that stand out for their superior ability to utilise available nitrogen after winter, thereby maximising soil potential and optimising farmers’ investments.
Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, Azot Master varieties outperform the best varieties on the market by more than 8% in trials. Under non-limiting conditions, the remaining units are utilised, allowing for yield gains of up to 11%.
Capture nitrogen with cover crops to meet part of the next crop’s requirements
Intercrops are a powerful agronomic tool, provided they are treated as the primary input for the next crop. Our cover crop mixtures, when rich in legumes, act as genuine “nitrogen pumps”. Thanks to their ability to capture atmospheric nitrogen, they can release up to 60 units of nitrogen for the following crop.
They also actively enhance soil biodiversity, improving overall agronomic potential: better soil structure, increased water and carbon storage, improved nutrient retention, reduced erosion, etc.
Soybean: The ultimate “zero-nitrogen” crop
“Soybean benefits from a unique natural symbiosis in which bacteria of the Bradyrhizobium genus, housed in root nodules, capture atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a form that can be directly assimilated by the plant. This symbiotic fixation process enables soybean to meet 100% of its nutritional needs, thereby eliminating the need for mineral nitrogen fertilisers. This drastic reduction in costs from the moment of sowing allows growers to avoid fertiliser market volatility while securing the profitability of their land” emphasised François Paybou, Soybean Market Manager.
Beyond its own growth cycle, soybean acts as a nitrogen reservoir for the crop rotation. After harvest, the breakdown of root nodules and crop residues releases a significant amount of organic nitrogen into the soil. These residues can amount to between 30 and 40 units of nitrogen (U/ha), representing a valuable resource for subsequent cereal or corn crops. This natural fertilisation allows for a reduction in mineral fertiliser inputs in year N+1, lowering both production costs and the environmental impact.
Choose greater forage self-sufficiency with alfalfa
For mixed crop-livestock systems or farms seeking to restore soil fertility, Lidea’s alfalfa delivers strong performance. Alfalfa can fix up to 250 kg of nitrogen/ha/year. When the stand is ploughed down, the mineralisation of its residues provides a massive, gradual nitrogen boost that benefits the next two crops in the rotation. At the same time, its powerful root system improves soil structure and porosity, making water more accessible for future crops.
Innovation to support your economic resilience
“At Lidea, innovation goes beyond yield alone. It addresses the economic resilience of farming systems, starting with farm profitability. Through our solutions in biofertilisation, cover crops and lower-input crops, we are expanding the range of tools available to growers to reduce their dependence on global energy markets” said Cédric Poeydomenge, Director of Strategic Marketing.
PRESS CONTACT: Nathalie SALMON – Tél: 06 48 08 52 88 – nathalie.salmon@euralis.com