Optimise.

Optimise – Improve Nitrogen Efficiency and Fertiliser Performance

Nitrogen fertiliser is one of the largest input costs on many New Zealand farms. Whether you are managing pasture, cropping, or horticultural systems, the goal is simple:

Maximise plant uptake and get the most value from every kilogram of nitrogen applied.

Optimise‑iO is a soil activation product designed to improve nitrogen use efficiency, support root development, and enhance fertiliser performance across your farm.

The Farming Reality: Nitrogen Loss in New Zealand Systems

Even with careful management, a portion of applied nitrogen can be lost through natural soil processes:

  • Ammonia Volatilisation: Nitrogen lost as ammonia gas when urea remains on the soil surface.

  • Nitrate Leaching: Soluble nitrate moves below the root zone with drainage water.

  • Denitrification: Wet or poorly aerated soils convert nitrate to gaseous nitrogen, removing it from the soil system.

  • Limited Root Uptake: Poor soil structure or low biological activity restricts root growth and nutrient absorption.

These losses reduce the efficiency of your fertiliser programme and can impact both yield and pasture quality.

How Nitrogen Moves Through Soil

Once fertiliser is applied, nitrogen moves through the soil system:

  • Taken up by plant roots

  • Stored temporarily in microbial biomass

  • Held within soil organic matter

  • Moved through soil water

Soil conditions determine how much nitrogen is available to plants. Well-structured, biologically active soils retain nutrients longer, giving roots time to capture them.

The Opportunity: Improve Soil Function and Fertiliser Efficiency

Modern agronomy emphasises getting more from every fertiliser application rather than simply applying more. Soils that function well typically:

  • Retain nutrients effectively

  • Support active microbial nutrient cycling

  • Allow deeper and more extensive root development

  • Improve water movement and aeration

When these processes work together, a higher proportion of applied nitrogen remains available to plants within the active root zone.

Introducing Optimise

Optimise is designed to work alongside your existing fertiliser programme. It supports soil biology, structure, and nutrient retention, helping nitrogen remain available for plant uptake.

How Optimise Supports Soil Function

Supporting Soil Microbiology

Soil microbes temporarily store nitrogen and release it gradually as they turn over, helping reduce losses and improve nutrient availability.

Improving Soil Structure

Stable soil aggregates improve water infiltration, aeration, and root penetration — creating ideal conditions for nutrient uptake.

Supporting Nutrient Retention

Soil organic compounds contribute binding sites that hold nutrients in the root zone longer.

Encouraging Root Development

Healthy soils allow roots to grow deeper and explore more soil volume, capturing more of the applied nitrogen.

Optimise Product Range

Optimise is a range of soil activation products to suit different production systems:

  • Optimise‑iO – Supports soil biology, nutrient retention, and root growth. Suitable for pasture, cropping, and horticulture.

  • Optimise Pro – Contains a higher seaweed content for additional soil stimulation. Ideal for intensive crops, vineyards, and high-value horticultural systems.

Both products work with your fertiliser programme to improve nitrogen uptake and overall soil performance. Choose the one that fits your system and production goals.

Using Optimise

Optimise can be applied through:

  • Tow-and-Fert systems

  • Liquid fertiliser spreaders

  • Liquid injection systems

Typical application rate: 15–20 L per hectare
Available pack sizes: 20 L, 200 L, 1000 L

Used Within Modern Soil Management Systems

Optimise‑iO works best as part of a broader soil management strategy that supports:

  • Balanced fertiliser programmes

  • Active soil biological activity

  • Healthy soil structure and organic matter

  • Strong root development

Together, these factors increase nutrient capture, improve plant growth, and reduce nitrogen losses.

Talk to Us About Optimise

Our team can help you review:

  • Soil conditions

  • Fertiliser practices

  • Crop or pasture systems

…and recommend the right Optimise product and application approach for your farm.

How to order / contact

Optimise is available through DCT advisors and selected distributors.

To find out if Optimise fits your system:

Product Application

  • Availability

    20 litre Jerry Can

    200 Litre Drum

    1000 litre IBC

  • Application rate:

    15 to 20 Litres per hectare

  • Dilution rate:

    15 litres of water per 1 litre of product

Contact us today

To learn more or to request a complimentary quote and soil guidance without any obligations.

Contact us

Scientific References

The agronomic principles described on this page are supported by both New Zealand and international soil science literature.
New Zealand Soil & Nitrogen Research
  • Tsimba, R., Gunn, T., Densley, R., Williams, I., Edmeades, G., & Millar, J. (2022). Quantification and mitigation of nitrogen leaching in a maize silage cropping system. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands, 83, 163–170.
  • Malcolm, B. J., Carey, P. L., Teixeira, E. I., Johnstone, P. R., Maley, S. C., & de Ruiter, J. M. (2018). Potential of catch crops to reduce nitrogen leaching in New Zealand winter grazing systems. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands, 80, 207–214.
  • Carey, P. L., Cameron, K. C., Di, H. J., Edwards, G. R., & Chapman, D. F. (2016). Winter catch crop effects on nitrate leaching under simulated forage grazing. Soil Use and Management, 32(3), 329–337.
  • Malcolm, B. J., Cameron, K. C., Edwards, G. R., Di, H. J., & de Ruiter, J. M. (2020). Catch crops and feeding strategy can reduce nitrate leaching risk in fodder beet systems. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 63, 44–64.
  • DairyNZ — Forages for Reduced Nitrate Leaching programme. DairyNZ research initiative demonstrating the role of catch crops and management practices in reducing nitrate leaching in pastoral systems.
International Soil Science References
  • Brady, N. C., & Weil, R. R. (2017). The Nature and Properties of Soils (15th ed.). Pearson.
  • Havlin, J. L., Tisdale, S. L., Nelson, W. L., & Beaton, J. D. (2014). Soil Fertility and Fertilizers: An Introduction to Nutrient Management (8th ed.). Pearson.
  • Kuzyakov, Y., & Xu, X. (2013). Competition between roots and microorganisms for nitrogen. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 67, 192–205.
  • Robertson, G. P., & Vitousek, P. M. (2009). Nitrogen in agriculture: balancing the cost of an essential resource. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 34, 97–125.