04 May 2026, UK: This season, many growers are looking to "extend" their nitrogen (N) stocks to ensure they last the full season.

However, as crops enter periods of rapid development, they are becoming increasingly hungry. Every growing day counts, and any period where the plant is held back by nutritional deficiency, whether through reduced application rates or lack of availability, can result in a permanent loss of yield potential.

While some growers are intentionally reducing application rates to manage costs, others are finding that soils are drying out rapidly, and nitrogen applied as solid fertiliser is unable to reach the rooting zone, both of which are leaving crops under-supplied. Regardless of the cause, identifying these nutritional bottlenecks early is critical to maintaining crop momentum.

When a crop is under nutritional stress, it creates an ideal window for VIXERAN®, a unique nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Because VIXERAN® is taken up through the leaf as well as the soil, it is a reliable tool for delivering nitrogen even when dry conditions prevent traditional uptake.

"VIXERAN® acts as a vital top-up when the plant is most in need. By fixing natural nitrogen from the atmosphere directly within the plant, it provides an immediate source of ammonium. This ensures that even if soil-applied nitrogen is limited, or unavailable, the crop has the fuel it needs to keep growing every single day."

notes Syngenta Technical Manager Andy Cunningham.

This biological approach allows growers to be more strategic with their existing nitrogen stocks, using VIXERAN® to bridge the gaps and prevent the crop from stalling during critical growth phases.

To ensure the VIXERAN® bacteria establish and perform effectively, treat the crop when it is actively growing to allow the bacteria to colonise:

• Temperature: Minimum temperatures should be at least 5°C. Avoid application immediately before or after frost events.
• Sunshine: To protect the bacteria during the initial application, aim to avoid treatment if periods of intense, bright sunshine are forecast immediately afterward.

• Targets deficiency: Top up of nitrogen that perform best when the crop is under nutritional stress.
• Extends stocks: Allows growers to stretch traditional nitrogen applications further through the season.
• Foliar uptake: Not reliant on root uptake, ensuring nitrogen delivery even in dry conditions.
• Broad label: Suitable for a wide range of arable crops, vegetables, and grassland.