Groundfix and Azotohelp: Increasing the efficiency of the fertilization system

Groundfix and Azotohelp: Increasing the Efficiency of the Fertilization System

Optimizing Nutrient Use Efficiency Amid 2026 Fertilizer Volatility

By Oleh Baranovskyi and Dmytro Yakovenko

In spring 2026, fertilizer efficiency became a direct economic concern for growers. Fertilizer markets entered another period of volatility, with urea prices rising by nearly 46% month-on-month between February and March 2026. With fertilizer prices rising much faster than grain prices, the logic of fertilization is changing; the focus is shifting from total kilograms applied to how much nutrient the crop can actually access and convert into yield.

Biological Fertilizer Compensation

BTU has spent over 10 years researching biological fertilizer compensation, supported by 911 trials. The goal is not to replace mineral fertilizers, but to improve biological efficiency by activating the rhizosphere, supporting nutrient transformation, and mobilizing nutrients from soil and applied inputs.

Groundfix: Serves as a biological tool for improving phosphorus and potassium availability. Phosphate- and potassium-mobilizing microorganisms help convert poorly available forms into plant-usable nutrients.
Azotohelp: Supports nitrogen nutrition via nitrogen-fixing bacteria that help maintain the biological nitrogen balance in the root zone.

Field Evidence and Yield Performance

Multi-year trials demonstrate that biological mobilization can support reduced-fertilizer systems across diverse crops and geographies.

Key Trial Highlights

Ukraine (2024-2025): In a corn trial, adding Azotohelp to a reduced nitrogen system (N90) produced 10.75 t/ha, outperforming the full nitrogen control (N120).
Ukraine (Groundfix): Groundfix treatments in reduced NPK corn systems increased yields by up to 14.2% compared to the reduced fertilizer control.
Germany: Groundfix combined with a 75% fertilizer rate produced 6.44 t/ha of winter wheat, exceeding the 100% fertilizer control.
Czech Republic: Azotohelp enabled an 80% reduction in urea rates while still increasing green mass production.

Strategic Conclusions

BTU’s experience confirms that Groundfix and Azotohelp are essential tools for improving fertilizer efficiency. When used strategically, these biological solutions help growers reduce nutrient losses, improve fertilizer returns, and maintain stable crop performance even when faced with significant economic and agronomic constraints.

“The focus shifts from applying more nutrients to using applied nutrients more effectively.”