Maximizing Nitrogen Efficiency Across Row Crops with OPTRIENT™ MoCo-Ni

Nitrogen drives growth and yield, but it’s also one of the easiest nutrients to lose. Leaching, volatilization and inefficient metabolism all drain potential from every acre. For growers, improving nitrogen use efficiency is the difference between maintaining growth and unlocking yield.

Across the country, agronomists are proving that the right micronutrient support can make nitrogen work harder. OPTRIENT™ MoCo-Ni , a foliar nutrient from Koch Agronomic Services, brings together molybdenum, cobalt and nickel in a chelated liquid formulation that helps crops use the nitrogen they already have more effectively.

“The principle of improving nitrogen efficiency is universal[2] , whether it’s a tree or a row crop,” said TJ Bingham, technical agronomist for Koch Agronomic Services (KAS). “All crops have a point in their growth cycles at which they could use a boost in nitrogen utilization. So after we found the optimum timing in almonds, that’s where we went, and we’re seeing great results.”

Why nitrogen use efficiency is so important for row crops 

When plants convert nitrogen into a usable form, they expend a surprising amount of energy. That metabolic drain can leave them more vulnerable to stress and less able to invest in growth.

“It’s really about helping the plant make better use of the nitrogen it already has,” said Matt Fryer, technical agronomist for KAS. “The plant has to expend energy to convert nitrogen into amino acids and proteins to facilitate other plant functions. 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.”

For crops that face heat, drought or long reproductive windows, even minor improvements in nitrogen efficiency can translate into measurable gains in yield and quality.

How does MoCo-Ni improve nitrogen metabolism? 

Molybdenum, cobalt and nickel each play a precise role in the nitrogen process.

“Molybdenum is key for converting nitrates into proteins and amino acids used for various functions within the plant, while cobalt helps mitigate plant stress,” Fryer explained. “Nickel is essential for the urease enzyme, which starts 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.”

These micronutrients complement one another, supporting enzymatic reactions that keep nitrogen cycling within the plant and freeing energy for yield.

Why is chelation important for tank-mixing and uptake? 

Micronutrients are reactive metal ions that often tie up in the soil or in a tank mix. Chelation prevents that [3] by forming a neutral, water-soluble complex.

“Nickel and molybdenum will react to form an insoluble complex if the nickel source is not chelated prior to mixing with molybdenum,” said Kurt Gabrielson, vice president of research and development for KAS. “Having nickel chelated in the formulation allows for broad tank mix compatibility, ensuring ease of use for the grower.”

Chelation keeps nutrients available for the plant and keeps operations running smoothly. With OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni, that chemistry translates to strong foliar uptake and dependable compatibility with everyday crop protection products.

Efficiency proven in the field

The best test of any nutrient technology is how it performs in the field. Across different regions and crops, OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni has consistently helped plants stay healthier and produce higher yields with better quality.

How nitrogen efficiency protects cotton yield

Cotton growers manage a perennial plant as an annual, balancing vegetative growth and reproduction under intense heat and drought. When stress hits, the plant sheds fruit to survive.

“The main goal of a cotton plant is to set as many bolls as it can and then hold on to them,” said Fryer. “When that plant gets under heat or drought stress, it’s going to start shedding its fruit. A perennial plant’s goal is to survive, not produce fruit.”

By improving nitrogen efficiency[4] , OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni helps cotton conserve energy and maintain boll retention. Recent trial results ¹ demonstrate this effect:

• In North Carolina, a split application increased lint yield by 107 pounds per acre.
• In Georgia, a split application increased lint yield by 101 pounds per acre.
• In that same Georgia study, a single application at five nodes above white flower increased lint yield by 114 pounds per acre.
  

The product’s wide application window lets growers add it to existing spray passes without operational disruption, an advantage for any program already managing multiple in-season trips.

Why an NUE product works on a legume like peanuts

Even nitrogen-fixing legumes benefit from improved efficiency[5] .

“As legumes, peanuts are nitrogen fixers,” Fryer said. “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 play a role in other related enzymatic processes.”

A North Carolina trial ² showed that OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni applied twice at 4 oz per acre increased yield by 300 pounds per acre, and at 8 oz increased yield by 319 pounds per acre. “When you make the plant healthier, you have better nitrogen efficiency, and that’s going to lead to a better yield in the end,” said John McElveen, KAS territory business manager.

How nitrogen efficiency increases sugar content in beets

For sugar beet growers, success depends on sugar percentage as much as tonnage. Too little nitrogen restricts canopy growth; too much late in the season reduces sucrose levels.

“Sugar beet production is interesting because it’s not a tonnage game, it’s a sugar percentage game,” said Bingham. “If we can keep that plant healthier longer, it’s going to produce more sugar.”

He explained that when nitrogen conversion is inefficient, it drains energy that could otherwise be used for sugar storage. In a Michigan study ³, OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni increased sugar percentage by an average of 0.63 points when applied twice, without raising nitrates. 

“Since growers are paid based on the recoverable sugar in each ton, a higher sugar percentage directly increases the value of the crop,” Bingham said.

The operational value of OPTRIENT™ MoCo-Ni 

Because OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni is a clean, chelated liquid, growers can pour it directly into their tank mix.

“From an operational standpoint, one of the main benefits is that it’s a very clean, chelated liquid that’s easy to handle,” said Fryer. “The compatibility is excellent, so it rides really well with anything and won’t stop up strainers or spray tips. That ease of use is a big, big plus for the grower.”

Bingham agreed. “For any grower, efficiency is key. We formulated OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni to be extremely tank-mix friendly so it can go right in with a planned fungicide or herbicide application. The goal is to piggyback on another trip, so growers can just pour it in the tank and go without adding another pass across the field.”

The broad application window and high compatibility make it easy to align with existing passes for crop protection or nutrition, saving time and fuel while delivering targeted foliar nutrition when the plant needs it most.

Building efficiency across the system

Results across cotton, peanuts and sugar beets show a consistent pattern of healthier plants, stronger stress tolerance and measurable yield or quality improvements. For growers, the value goes beyond one crop season. Improving nitrogen use efficiency creates a foundation for long-term soil and plant health while optimizing every pound of applied nitrogen.

“When the cotton plant is not under stress, it’s going to hold on to bolls longer,” Fryer said. “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.”

Nitrogen efficiency that works as hard as you do

Nitrogen can often be one of a grower’s largest investments and one of the greatest opportunities for efficiency gains. By supporting nitrogen metabolism with the right balance of molybdenum, cobalt and nickel, growers can protect that investment and get more from every acre.

OPTRIENT™ MoCo-Ni brings years of agronomic research into a ready-to-use foliar formulation designed for the realities of row-crop production. From higher lint yields in cotton to stronger pod fill in peanuts and improved sugar percentage in beets, the data tells a single story of efficiency and return.

To learn more about OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni and the expanding row-crop lineup, visit the OPTRIENT MoCo-Ni product page for agronomic details, trial results and best-use recommendations.

¹The 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. 

²The 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. 

³The underlying data was provided by Michigan Sugar Company 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.