PHD's Perspective & Grower's Linchpin

Growers, agronomists, and input suppliers across the US routinely deal with the same core challenge: valuable nutrients becoming tied up in the soil, pH variability limiting nutrient availability, and inconsistent early root development restricting crop growth. In our latest agronomy webinar, soil nutrient management scientist and PhD, Dr. Laura Jalpa and Lygos Senior Regional Sales Manager, Niles McGuire, explain why these issues persist and how improving nutrient availability can strengthen performance from emergence through harvest.

Dr. Jalpa brings deep expertise in phosphorus dynamics, nutrient interactions, and soil chemistry. Niles McGuire brings the on-farm perspective from years of advising growers and managing his own row-crop operation in southwestern Ohio. Together, they break down how biodegradable Soltellus™ polymer works in real soil conditions and why growers are seeing more available phosphorus, stronger root development, and better crop consistency across variable acres.

If improving nutrient availability, reducing antagonism, or driving more consistency across variable soils is a priority for your operation or your customers, this webinar provides a clear, data-backed look at how Soltellus™ can fit into existing programs.

Below is the Q&A following the webinar presentation:

1. Is there an ideal pH for maximal release of P?

Yes. Phosphorus is most plant-available around pH 6.0–6.5, where it is least likely to form insoluble complexes with calcium (high pH) or iron/aluminum (low pH). Even outside this range, Soltellus improves P access by chelating Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, and other cations that tie up phosphorus, making more of the existing soil P soluble and crop-available.

2. So binding strength increases with number of + charges?

Generally yes. Cations with higher positive charge (Fe³⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) demonstrate stronger attraction to Soltellus than monovalent ions (K⁺, Na⁺).

The effective chelation strength can be thought of as:

Fe³⁺ > Al³⁺ > Ca²⁺ ≈ Mg²⁺ > K⁺ ≈ Na⁺

This aligns with the polymer’s carboxyl groups and its mode of action in reducing nutrient antagonism.

3. Experience in mixes with biologicals? Complimentary?

Yes, Soltellus has shown compatibility with biologicals. The polymers nutrient-holding and chelating effects help reduce antagonism around the root zone, allowing biologicals to function more effectively. As the polymer biodegrades, it also contributes 4 carbon to 1 nitrogen (C:N ratio of 4:1) that can support microbial activity.

4. So I have a soil of pH of 8.2 and high and some alkali spots where nothing grows. What can we expect to see from treatments and what are maximum rates in furrow or does deep placement help?

High-pH and alkali soils often limit yield because calcium ties up phosphorus, micronutrients become less available, and in some areas sodium can restrict root growth. Soltellus helps by freeing P bound to calcium, improving micronutrient solubility, and supporting stronger early root establishment even in tough spots.

For application, the recommended rate is 2 Quarts per acre, including in-furrow. Deep placement isn’t necessary, because Soltellus works best when it’s close to the seed and active root zone.

While Soltellus improves nutrient availability right away, true remediation of alkali soils takes time and depends on the cause.

• If the area is calcareous (high lime), the goal is to improve the root-zone rather than the whole field by pairing Soltellus with acidifying fertilizers like ammonium sulfate.
• If the area is sodic (high sodium), amendments such as gypsum or elemental sulfur (which generates acidity as it breaks down), along with good leaching or drainage, can help move sodium out of the soil profile.

Most importantly, you don’t need to remediate the entire field. Targeting the problem zones and planting band is usually enough to improve crop establishment and vigor. Soltellus provides short-term nutrient access while longer-term soil improvements take effect.

5. Is there any tomato and potato data?

Yes, tomato and potato trials have been conducted and more are underway.

Because these crops are sensitive to P, Ca, and micronutrient balance, the Soltellus mode of action aligns well with their nutrient dynamics. Detailed datasets will be shared as they finalize.

6. What is the approximate cost per acre for the 2x to 6x ROI?

Soltellus typically costs around $11 per acre, depending on retailer and rate Across multiple crops, returns of 2×–6× have been observed, with a performance guarantee available.

7. Can Soltellus help with drought tolerance?

Indirectly, yes. Soltellus is highly hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and holds water. This allows the root zone to retain moisture and soluble nutrients longer during dry spells. It does not replace irrigation but can help crops remain metabolically active and resilient until moisture returns.

8. What is your current distribution?

Soltellus is available through a nationwide and expanding partner network. Growers can find distribution partners on the Soltellus/Lygos website or by contacting the team directly.

9. Any information on improving performance of crops under heavy nematode pressure?

Soltellus is not a nematicide, but the polymer has the potential to strengthen root-zone nutrition, which could help plants tolerate nematode damage more effectively. Better nutrient access and improved root vigor reduce the yield penalty under nematode stress and complement integrated nematode management.

10. Please follow up with more details on helping crop protection products work better

Soltellus helps pesticide performance in two scientifically valid ways:

1. Chelation of hard-water cations

Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in hard water can reduce herbicide and fungicide performance. Soltellus ties these up, improving spray solution quality (Water conditioning is a labeled use: 1 gallon per 100 gallons of water).

2. Reduced crop stress after spray

By improving nutrient access during the recovery window, growers have observed that crops show less yellow flash and recover faster post-herbicide.

11. Can the product be fertigated on corn at the V5 stage with UAN at the 1 quart rate effectively?

Yes. Soltellus is explicitly approved for fertigation and irrigation injection at ~50 ppm, or roughly 1 gallon per 10,000 gallons of water. A 1-quart V5 application with UAN is fully compatible and can help maintain nutrient solubility and reduce scale in the irrigation system.

12. I read somewhere that Soltellus helped alleviate crop response from crop protection products, can you expand on that?

Yes. Soltellus can help reduce crop injury by:

• Improving the quality of spray water through cation binding,
• Reducing antagonisms between nutrients and crop protection actives,
• Supporting post-spray metabolism by improving nutrient uptake and providing carbon as it breaks down.

Growers frequently observe less yellow flash, faster greening, and overall better crop tolerance to herbicide and fungicide passes.

13. How much Phosp can Soltellus replace?

Due to variable soil conditions, there isn’t a fixed amount of P that Soltellus can help make available. In our data, we’ve found anywhere from 10-25 lb of P₂O₅ per acre becoming available in neutral soils, and 30–70 lb per acre in acidic or Fe/Al-rich soils when using Soltellus. That wide range reflects how strongly soil conditions, especially soil pH, influence P tie-up and release.

It also varies with factors like soil management, moisture, and climate, because those factors affect microbial activity and mineralization. When conditions support good nutrient cycling, Soltellus simply helps keep more of that existing soil P available for a longer period of time.