To buy or not to buy, that is the question. The air that we breathe is 78% nitrogen. Why would we want to buy it, when we can just fix it, giving the plant what it wants, when it needs it.

Excess nitrogen causes the plant so many problems, weakening the plant’s cell walls, which increases vulnerability to disease and pest attacks. This in turn creates greater expenditure for the farmer.

See also: Why adjusting nitrogen use can regenerate soil and crop health

About the author

Tim Parton

Tim Parton manages 300ha in South Staffordshire growing winter wheat, OSR, spring barley, beans, oats, lupins and wild flowers as part of a biological farming system. He grows cover crops and grass for haylage across sandy clay loam soils.

Read more articles by Tim Parton

When soils are working biologically, leaching is reduced, along with less nitrous oxide emissions.

I have been using nitrogen-fixing bacteria for many years now and have had some fantastic results along the way, but also some disappointing outcomes.

This is why I am constantly monitoring the crop through sap testing, to check the amount of nitrogen within the crop, as this can vary due to weather conditions and so on.

There is so much to learn, and I have to wait a whole year to try more combinations out.

I often wish I was also farming on the other side of the world so that I could get two growing seasons in one year. Wouldn’t that be fun and move things on faster.

I once read a book called Hands-On Agronomy by Neil Kinsey which was my introduction to nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

It was a fantastic read and one that really started me on my quest to farm in tune with mother nature.

The secret to getting efficient nitrogen-fixing bacteria comes down to the amount of carbon in the soil, along with aeration, which is also the secret of reducing nitrous oxide emissions.

These are a lot more damaging to the planet than carbon dioxide.

Can I grow a crop just by fixing nitrogen? Yes, I believe it can be done once everything is working properly, but it does take time.

I have seen many trials fail because farmers are trying to run before they can walk.

I have often fixed between 40-70kg/N/ha and yes, I do think this can be higher when we have the right soil conditions. Biology has all the answers.

I wish you all a healthy and happy festive period.