Ask the Agronomists: Expanding OPTRIENT™ MoCo-Ni into Row Crops

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For years, growers in specialty crops have used OPTRIENT™ MoCo-Ni foliar nutrients to improve plant health. Now, that same technology is being applied to row crops like cotton and peanuts. We sat down with TJ Bingham and Matt Fryer, technical agronomists at Koch Agronomic Services (KAS), to discuss this expansion and the science behind it.

Why expand OPTRIENT™ MoCo-Ni to row crops?

Bingham: We found the optimal timing for almond trees to use this product to boost their nitrogen efficiency. We know all crops have a point in their growth cycles at which they could use a boost in nitrogen utilization. So that's where we went, and we’re seeing great results. The principle of improving nitrogen efficiency is universal, whether it’s a tree or a row crop.

Why is nitrogen use efficiency so important for a row crop?

Fryer: It’s really about helping the plant make better use of the nitrogen it already has. The plant has to expend energy to convert nitrogen into a usable form. Our goal is to make that process more efficient. When a plant is less stressed and expends less energy on conversion, it can dedicate more energy to its primary functions, such as increasing yield.

How does the OPTRIENT™ MoCo-Ni formulation help with nitrogen use efficiency?

Fryer: What makes OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni such a great product is its specific blend of molybdenum, cobalt and nickel, because all three play a significant role in nitrogen metabolism. Molybdenum is crucial for converting nitrates into proteins and amino acids, which are used for various functions within the plant, while cobalt helps mitigate plant stress. Nickel is essential for the urease enzyme, which catalyzes a process that the plant cannot do, converting urea in the plant into ammonium, a nitrogen form the plant can further break down. It’s about making the entire nitrogen process — from initial uptake to internal recycling and utilization — more efficient.

Bingham: The chelation is also key. It prevents those nutrients from being tied up in the spray tank, so they remain available for the plant to absorb when applied as a foliar. Across the board, we’re getting the right nutrients to where they need to go, making nitrogen processes quicker and easier for the plant, which means better results for the grower.

Why use a nitrogen efficiency product on a legume such as peanuts?

Fryer: As legumes, peanuts are nitrogen fixers. Molybdenum is very important for the nodule formation on the root where nitrogen fixation happens, as well as in the plant when nitrogen is broken down into amino acids and proteins. Both cobalt and nickel also play a role in nitrogen fixation and other related enzymatic processes. We want to make sure that the nitrogen the plant produces is used to its full potential.

The peanut data results are very encouraging. A recent North Carolina study¹ showed OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni numerically increased yield by 300+ lbs/acre.

Can cotton lint yield increase with improved nitrogen use efficiency?

Fryer: The main goal of a cotton plant is to set as many bolls as it can and then hold on to them. When that plant is under heat or drought stress, it's going to start shedding its fruit. What OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni does is help mitigate that stress by improving nitrogen efficiency, so the plant is healthier and can hold onto more of its fruiting positions. Recent trial data supports this, showing an increase in cotton lint yield by 100 pounds per acre.²

What’s also really encouraging from the trials is that we saw this benefit across varied application timings. This tells us the application window is pretty wide and flexible. For a grower who is already making multiple spray passes for crop protection, this flexibility is a huge operational advantage. It gives them plenty of opportunities to add it to a tank mix they're already planning.

What is the operational value of adding OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni™?

Fryer: From an operational standpoint, one of the main benefits is that it’s a very clean, chelated liquid that's easy to handle. The compatibility is excellent, so it won't stop up strainers or tips. That ease of use is a big, big plus for the grower.

Bingham: For any grower, efficiency is key. The goal is to piggyback on another trip, so we formulated OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni to be extremely tank-mix friendly. Growers can just pour it in the tank and go without adding another pass across the field.

A proven solution for your crop and your operation.

From improving flower retention in tree nuts to boosting yield in cotton and peanuts, the core strategy remains the same: supporting a healthier, more efficient plant. OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni provides the targeted nutritional support to help growers get the most out of their crops, no matter what they're growing.

To learn more about the advantages of OPTRIENT and its use in row crops, see how this technology can help optimize your crop’s performance.

¹The underlying data was provided by Severn Peanut under a Research Trial Financial Support Agreement with Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. Neither these institutions, nor the individual researchers referenced, endorse or recommend any product or service. Improvements in yield and nutrient use efficiency may not be observed in all cases.

²The underlying data was provided by Fowler Crop Consulting under a Research Trial Financial Support Agreement with Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. Neither these institutions, nor the individual researchers referenced, endorse or recommend any product or service. Improvements in yield and nutrient use efficiency may not be observed in all cases.

OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni is not registered for sale or use in all states. OPTRIENT and the OPTRIENT logo are trademarks of Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. Koch and the Koch logo are trademarks of Koch IP Holdings. All Rights Reserved. ©2025 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC.

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