Applying fertilisers containing nitrogen and sulphur means the grass uses nitrogen more effectively, you get more kgs of dry matter per kg of nitrogen that you apply
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27 Aug 2025
Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient particularly for clovers as it plays a key role in N-fixation. Mo is an important micronutrient for nitrogen (N) metabolism in plants. It helps create proteins in plant leaf cells and is required for N fixation in legumes. Mo availability from the soil declines when the pH is below 6. Therefore, adding lime can increase the availability of Mo to plants. It’s important to be aware that high levels of herbage Mo can cause a Mo-copper imbalance in grazing animals.
Clover and other legumes have a high requirement for Mo during establishment and nodulation because it aids nitrogen transformations in the plant affecting both N fixation and assimilation. Often the only sign of Mo deficiency is poor clover growth. The clover may appear N deficient being stunted with pale green or yellow leaves because N fixation has been affected. Routine clover foliage sampling (leaves only) in spring can check that the clover nutrition is adequate.
It is likely that there are parts of the UK where clover performance is being impacted by Mo deficiency. Where white clover is not performing up to expectations, then it might be worthwhile taking a clover foliage sample. In New Zealand, if white clover foliar Mo is <0.1 mg/kg and N is <4.5% then there is a high probability clover will respond to Mo application. Where clover is found to be Mo deficient, we recommend a foliar application of YaraVita Croplift Pro at 5 kg/ha.
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