With fertiliser prices still volatile and margins under pressure, South African producers can no longer afford inefficiency in their input spend. In crops like maize, wheat and citrus, where fertiliser represents one of the largest costs, the difference between profit and loss increasingly comes down to how efficiently nutrients are used, not how much is applied.
“Nutrient use efficiency marks a shift in how we think about crop inputs,” explains Louis Strydom, Marketing Director at Omnia Nutriology®. “It moves the focus from how much is applied to how effectively those inputs are converted into plant performance.”
From principle to practice: Why it matters on farm
At a practical level, nutrient use efficiency determines whether input spend results in profit or loss.
When it is not considered:
- Nutrients are lost through leaching, volatilisation, or fixation
- Crops show uneven growth and reduced vigour
- Yield potential is not fully realised despite high input costs
- Input spend increases without a corresponding return
- Production risk rises, especially under variable weather conditions
In short, producers carry the cost, but don’t realise the value.
When nutrient use efficiency is actively managed:
- A higher percentage of applied nutrients is taken up and used by the plant
- Crop growth is more uniform and predictable
- Yield and quality improve relative to input spend
- Input waste is reduced, improving cost control
- Decision-making becomes more precise and data-driven
In addition to the above, efficient nutrient application limits the negative effect of residual nutrients to the environment.
This is where nutrient use efficiency shifts from theory to a measurable driver of profitability and risk management.
The foundation: Soil intelligence and precision
Efficient nutrient use starts with one question: are you applying the right nutrients in the right place, at the right time and in the right quantities?
Without a clear understanding of soil nutrient status, pH, and crop demand, even the best fertiliser programme will underperform. Applying nutrients without insight often leads to inefficient usage of applied fertiliser.
Soil analysis provides the foundation for the initial nutrient requirements. It allows producers to align inputs with actual crop requirements, correcting deficiencies while avoiding unnecessary application.
When combined with precision technologies such as variable rate application, this ensures that nutrients are placed where they are needed most. The result is a more efficient allocation of inputs and a stronger footing for consistent crop performance.
Also read: Imbizo 2026 | ‘If we carry on doing what we’ve been doing, there is no future’ – why soil health, knowledge and policy must align
In-season performance: Unlocking uptake and utilisation
Even with the right fertiliser programme in place, conditions during the season often limit how well crops can access nutrients. Moisture stress, temperature swings and poor root development can all reduce uptake.
Biostimulants help close this gap. By improving root mass, increasing root hair development, and supporting beneficial microbial activity, they enhance the plant’s ability to access and utilise nutrients already present in the soil.
“Nutrient use efficiency ultimately determines how resilient a crop is under pressure,” adds Venessa Moodley, Biologicals Lead at Omnia Nutriology®, “When uptake is compromised, performance drops quickly. But when efficiency is optimised through biostimulants, crops are better able to maintain growth, even in challenging conditions.”
When nutrient uptake is optimised during the season, the impact is visible:
- Stronger early establishment
- Improved stress tolerance during critical growth stages
- Better nutrient conversion into biomass and yield
- Reduced variability in-field
Also read: Soil health: Key to unlocking greater yields for small-scale farmers
Efficiency as a system, not an input
Over time, the question shifts again: are you building a system that improves efficiency year after year?
Ignoring nutrient use efficiency over multiple seasons often leads to declining soil health, increased input dependency, and greater variability in yield outcomes. Costs rise, but performance becomes less predictable.
By contrast, a system focused on nutrient use efficiency delivers cumulative benefits:
- Improved soil structure which makes nutrients available
- More stable and predictable yields across seasons
- Reduced need for corrective or excessive input applications
- Greater resilience to climate variability and stress events
This moves nutrient management from short-term correction to long-term optimisation and sustainability.
Also read: Cover crops: Five rules for soil health
A shift in mindset
Ultimately, nutrient use efficiency represents a shift from input volume to input value. It challenges the idea that more is better, and instead focuses on what works, where, and why.
“Nutrient use efficiency is one of the most practical ways to protect profitability in a high-cost environment,” concludes Louis Strydom. “When more of what you apply is actually used by the crop, you reduce waste, improve returns, and make better decisions season after season.”
At Omnia Nutriology®, this philosophy is embedded in an integrated model that brings together soil science, plant nutrition, biostimulants, and technology to support better decision-making on farm.
By committing to nutrient use efficiency as a practice, producers are not only improving how inputs perform today, but also strengthening the long-term sustainability and profitability of their operations.
Also read:
Africa takes a decisive step towards soil protection
Expert advice: Looking at soils in daily life
World Soil Day raises awareness of vital resource
