A brief explanation: why triplex is more efficient than the others
Here’s a brief explanation as to why Triplex is as efficient as it is compared to other fertilisers. There are three main reasons as to why typical fertilisers are inherently inefficient. The first is leaching, the second is volatilisation, and the third is the plant’s ability to actually use different forms of nutrients.
Leaching
With Triplex, we are able to ‘complex’ nutrients. This means we are able to magnetically join elements together to create larger ‘complexed’ structures. These complexed nutrients are far more resistant to leaching than dissociated individual ions, which are generally highly soluble and wash away – leach – from the root zone rapidly. They, therefore, have to be applied in higher quantities to counter this fundamental nutrient use inefficiency. Early trial data show the soil-applied Triplex is over 20% (not quite 25%) more efficient than other soil-applied nutrients. Complexes utilise the “magnetic” attractions of ions and the partial charges associated with the 3-dimensional molecular form of urea to hold onto the nutrients and trace elements and prevent them from leaving the root zone quickly. The “magnetic” attraction is weak enough to be broken by root exudates and, therefore, readily available to the plant.
This is a similar concept to how the clay-humus complex retains nutrients
Volatilisation
At pH 7.5, nitrogen losses due to urea volatilisation can be up to 44%.
In soils with a pH 6, the losses are around 20%.
At pH 5, the losses are no more than 8%.
By using urea in a low pH (2-3), the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia is inhibited.
Urease inhibitors are not required in Triplex products.
At the rates that Triplex is applied to soil, the buffering capacity of the surface microbiology is great enough to handle the low pH. But it is best not to apply Triplex to already stressed crops.
Triplex will not tank mix with other fertilisers (especially phosphates) or plant protection products.
Plant up take
Urea comes with a 'carbon bonus’ compared to other inorganic forms of nitrogen. Ammonium Nitrate, for example, requires 10 carbon atoms for every one Ammonium Nitrate molecule for the plant to be able to process and use it. This means a lot of carbon sequestered by photosynthesis is being used to process inorganic fertiliser rather than carry out essential physiological processes.
As such, it is far more efficient for the plant to be able to use urea, which has embedded carbon within. If a plant takes up 1 kg of urea taken up by the plant, 200 grams of additional carbon is released into the plant, all of which is available to the plant to carry out physiological processes.
This is not only a more efficient uptake of nitrogen but also results in a healthier and better functioning plant.
Foliar
Foliar-applied nutrients are more efficient than soil-applied, however, you need to be able to grow a leaf to be able to apply foliar onto.
Triplex can also create foliar formulations, which have a very low point of deliquescence (POD)
meaning that the nutrients are rapidly taken up by the plant.
The complexing means that a very low relative humidity is required for the nutrients to become soluble and therefore taken up by the plant.
As a result, Triplex is highly efficient in dry periods but has a very low risk of scorch.
