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As nitrogen prices increase yet again, it is important to look at all the tools available to support improving nitrogen use efficiency. One of the ways growers can increase efficiency is to use a nitrogen stabiliser.

Using a nitrogen stabiliser allows growers to reduce nitrogen while maintaining yield, or to simply ensure the applied nitrogen stays where it needs to, therefore supporting the crop as intended.

Instinct^®, containing Optinyte^™ technology is Corteva’s Nitrogen Stabiliser. Key topics in our May update include:

What is Instinct and how does it work?
Why use Instinct in maize?
An expert view from our Maize Technical Manager
Trials in maize
Applying Instinct
Want to learn more?
Want to hear more from us?
Ways to stay in touch

So, what is Instinctand how does it work?

Instinct utilises Corteva's unique Optinyte technology, keeping more nitrogen in the soil for longer periods, significantly improving use efficiency. The product works by slowing down the conversion of ammonium to nitrate, preventing nitrogen loss through leaching and denitrification, and ensuring more remains in the rooting zone.

As a result, there is:

More ammonium retained in soil
Less nitrate lost to leaching
Less NOx gas emissions (denitrification losses)
More nitrogen in the soil for longer
A range of additional benefits which will:

Instinct - mode of action:

Instinct slows down the nitrification process for 8-12 weeks, keeping more ammonium in the soil for longer. Ammonium is not vulnerable to leaching from soil with rainfall, nor will it be converted to nitrous oxide in waterlogged soils.

As more nitrogen is retained in the soil for longer, the yield potential of a crop is optimised, and environmental footprint reduced.

Why use Instinct in maize

As maize crops start to go into the ground, soil temperatures are rising. With the increase in soil temperatures, the nitrification process starts to accelerate.

This means that the soil nitrogen is more at risk of loss to the environment.

Maize requires nitrogen throughout the growing season. Unpredictable spring weather, especially high rainfall on lighter soils, increases the risk of nitrate loss before the crop can use it. Losing nitrogen can also lead to a loss of yield potential.

Instinct makes it available for longer. Keeping more nitrogen in the soil for when it’s needed.

The chart above combines two data sets. The lines on the left illustrate the amount of ammonium recovered from soil, comparing Instinct stabilised versus unstabilised maize. This is overlaid on a chart depicting the cumulative nitrogen demand and its distribution.

An expert view from our Maize Technical Manager

Maize often has an NMAX limit of 150 kgs/ha so it is often under fertilised. Modern varieties are typically higher yielding and therefore have a higher requirement for nutrition. If they don’t get adequate nutrition, they will never reach their full yield potential.

Instinct has proven valuable in this situation as it helps the applied nitrogen have the biggest impact possible.

By applying Instinct, which is a fraction of the cost of nitrogen, farmers could ultimately apply less nitrogen because they’re getting more from what they are applying. By making it more available for longer, you lose less so you don’t need to apply as much.

You don’t need to necessarily change what you put on, Instinct just makes everything work better and more economically.

Maize often receives all of its nutrient inputs right at the start of its lifecycle, at planting. The maize crop requires the largest amount of nitrogen availability towards the end of its growing cycle, therefore using Instinct can help the plant access nitrogen at the optimum time for most efficient use.

By applying Instinct and keeping the nitrogen in its most available form for longer you’re making it more available at that later time when the maize needs it the most.

Trials in maize

Across Europe and the UK, maize trials show that yield responses when Instinct is used remain consistent over many years, often resulting in more than a 10% uplift. The yield increase is seen across both cobs and overall plant size.

The yield benefit comes from keeping more nitrogen available when the maize plant needs it for building stem, leaves and cobs. This is typically from June to August.

Applying Instinct

Instinct is a very easy product to use and apply. There is only one rate – 1.7 l/ha. Instinct can be applied with a crop sprayer and is compatible with many crop protection inputs, including liquid fertilisers. Instinct can also be applied with slurry and digestate. The best application timing is within a few days of the main fertiliser application.

Instinct needs to get into the soil to work – this can be achieved by mechanical incorporation, or with about 12 mm of rain within 10 days of application.

Want to learn more?

Watch this video featuring our Instinct Field Technical Manager Joe Martin, as he explains why Instinct is a key nitrogen management tool to use in maize this season.

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Get in touch with our hotline team

Our hotline team are also on hand to answer any queries or concerns you have. Please do not hesitate to get in touch via 0800 689 8899, ukhotline@corteva.com, or by submitting an enquiry.

USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label. ®™ Trademarks Corteva Agriscience Limited and its affiliated companies. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist. All manufacturers trade names and trademarks are duly acknowledged. © 2026 Corteva. Instinct® contains nitrapyrin.