In two studies conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU), Nitamin^®Steady-Delivery® liquid fertilizer from Georgia-Pacific improved tomato yield, fruit size and overall crop quality when compared to the traditional practice of quick-release fertilization with sodium nitrate.

Nitamin, developed by scientists at Georgia-Pacific, is a slowly-available nitrogen source that delivers the Optimal Nitrogen Diet™ to crops. Unlike commonly used quick-release fertilizers that convert most of their nitrogen to useable forms within the first few weeks, the patented NitaminSteady-Delivery fertilizers deliver nitrogen to crops at a rate that they can effectively utilize throughout the growing cycle, while minimizing nitrogen loss through leaching and volatilization.

In the comparison studies between Nitaminand quick-release fertilizers, led by NCSU researchers Dr. Doug Sanders and Dr. Luz Reyes, Nitaminliquid fertilizer improved tomato yield and quality when injected into a drip irrigation system at lower rates and with fewer applications compared to the standard practice of weekly injections with quick-release fertilizer.

“When we compared the plots, the Nitamintomato plants had greater growth, better color and higher overall plant quality,” says Dr. Sanders.

In the studies conducted at NCSU’s horticultural crops research stations in Clinton and Fletcher, N.C., Nitaminresulted in higher fruit and plant weights at lower nitrogen application rates, demonstrating higher nitrogen use efficiency. Both trials demonstrated that, Nitaminliquid fertilizer could be front-loaded, over the first six weeks after planting, and satisfy the season-long N needs of the plants.

“Normally this approach would not be practical for nitrate-based fertilizers since leaching could be an issue,” according to Georgia Pacific technical service agronomist, Jim Wargo.

In the Clinton study, Nitamin applied at 200 pounds of nitrogen (N) per acre (a) produced the highest yields of any treatment, yielding 416 more marketable boxes per acre than the same amount of sodium nitrate and 91 more boxes than the highest amount of sodium nitrate (300 lb. N/a). Nitaminapplied at 150 lb. N/a produced total marketable yields equivalent to the 200 and 300 lb. N/a from sodium nitrate treatments even though 25 — 50% less nitrogen was applied. Dr. Sanders’ calculations for gross dollar return showed that Nitamin would have resulted in a higher return of $970 to $4563 per acre over the two sodium nitrate treatments.

At Fletcher, Nitamin applied at 175 and 250 lb. N/a produced over 1,000 more marketable boxes per acre than either of the standard sodium nitrate treatments of 200 and 300 lb. N/a. The heavier fruit load on the Nitaminfertilized plants resulted in one additional harvest compared to the standard treatments. While no differences were found between treatments in the amount of jumbo tomatoes produced, Nitamin(at both rates) resulted in higher yield of extra-large, large and medium-size tomatoes. Furthermore, there was no advantage to increasing the Nitaminrate above 175 lb. N/acre, suggesting more efficient nitrogen utilization at lower rates. The 43% increase in marketable yield with Nitaminshowed the potential for $16,000 to $18,000 higher gross dollar return per acre compared to sodium nitrate.

Regarding the Fletcher study, Dr. Sanders said, “It is remarkable that 175 lb. N, from Nitamin, produced better yields than the 300 lb. N grower standard treatment for total yield, marketable yield, yield of all fruit sizes, plant dry weight, fruit dry weight and ratings of growth, color, and overall plant quality.”

“The North CarolinaStateUniversitystudy results demonstrate that Nitaminis a more profitable alternative to quick-release fertilizers on tomatoes,” says Wargo. “The results defied conventional wisdom that there would be no benefit of Nitamin Steady-Delivery fertilizer in a drip irrigation system, compared to spoon feeding nitrate.

“It was clear from observing plant growth response and monitoring soil and leaf petiole nitrates that Nitamin stayed in the upper soil profile and did not leach beyond the root zone, whereas the sodium nitrate did,” added Wargo. This can be especially important in areas where nitrogen management is a key issue since growers now have a way to maintain or improve yields with lower nitrogen inputs.”

Other university research studies, in Ill., Ala., and the eastern shore of Va., have shown that Nitamincontinues to deliver a steady supply of nitrogen to plants throughout the growing season, even after long periods of heavy rains.

Experimental Details

In the Clinton , N.C. study, “Mountain Fresh Plus” tomatoes were planted on April 18, 2005, through plastic mulch with drip irrigation. The soil at the site was a loamy sand with pH 6.3, organic matter < 0.5% and CEC 1.9. The experiment was a randomized complete block (RCB) design of four replicates. Harvest occurred weekly during the first three weeks of July from 10 plants per plot. All treatments included 50 lb. N/a from ammonium nitrate and 100 lb. K/a from potassium chloride (KCl) broadcast before beds were formed. Two standard N treatments consisted of sodium nitrate applied at 150 and 250 lbs. N/a through drip irrigation over a 12-week period. Fertigation treatments began on May 2. Total season-long N rates, including preplant fertilizer, were equivalent to 200 and 300 lb. N/a. The 200 lb. N/a treatment is the recommended practice by NCSU, while 300 lb. N/a represents what a high-producing grower might use. The Nitaminliquid fertilizer rates included 100, 150, and 200 lb. N/a applied through weekly fertigation for five weeks, starting two weeks after planting. Total season-long N rates including preplant ammonium nitrate were equivalent to 150, 200, and 250 lb. N/a. Not including the preplant fertilizer, potassium sulfate was added through the drip tube in all treatments to keep a ratio of 1-0-2 (N-P-K).

In the Fletcher, N.C. study, “Mountain Fresh Plus” tomatoes were planted on June 30, 2005, through plastic mulch with drip irrigation. The soil type was a loam with 1.2% organic matter, pH of 6.4 and CEC 6.9. Plot size was 5-foot by 40-foot with an RCB design of four replicates. Tomatoes were harvested bi-weekly from 10 plants from each plot beginning August 18 and ending either September 15 or 29. All treatments included 50 lb. N/a from ammonium nitrate and 100 lb. K/a from KCl broadcast before beds were formed. The ratio of 1-0-2 for all fertigation treatments was maintained by supplying appropriate rates of potassium sulfate. The total N rates including preplant nitrogen were 200 and 300 lb. N/a for the sodium nitrate treatments and 175 and 250 lb. N/a for the Nitamintreatments. The sodium nitrate treatments were injected weekly over the course of the growing season in accordance with normal production practices. The Nitamintreatments were injected weekly through the drip system for six weeks staring two weeks after planting. After that time no additional N was added.

Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc. (GPRI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Georgia-Pacific Corp., and is a market leader in chemical products for the paper, pulp and building products industries, as well as other industrial manufacturing processes. GPRI has been a major raw material supplier to leading fertilizer producers for over 20 years and has over 40 years of experience with urea-based polymer technology. GPRI operates 15 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. The company also has plants in South Americaand a manufacturing presence in South Africaand China. The company's headquarters is located at 55 Park Place, 16th Floor, Atlanta, GA30303. For additional information, please visit the company’s web sites http://www.gp.com/chemical/ and http://www.nitamin.com/ or call the Nitaminhotline at 866-2nitamin.

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*North CarolinaStateUniversitydoes not endorse Georgia-Pacific, Nitamin, or the use of Nitamin.

Nitamin is a registered trademark and Optimal Nitrogen Diet and Steady-Delivery are trademarks of Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc.

Contacts:

Caryn E. King

Manager - Market Communications

Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc.

Tel: 404-652-8589

ceking@gapac.com

GardnerHatch/Catherine Wang

Gibbs & Soell Public Relations

Tel: 212-697-2600

ghatch@gibbs-soell.com

Media Contact:
Caryn King (404) 652-4247