BASF Group
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Agriculture
BASF Group
Global
Agriculture
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145191789
Global
Agriculture
Global
Agriculture

Limus® – For Improved Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Limus® supports optimal nitrogen availability for more consistent yields. Proven to reduce nitrogen loss by as much as 98 percent, Limus® is based on a novel formulation that contains two active ingredients for blocking active sites of soil urease enzymes.

Benefits of Limus®

  • Provides higher efficiency and flexibility in growers’ nitrogen-management programs Improves storage and
  • transportation of urea-based fertilizers
  • Reduces ammonia emissions from urea-based fertilizers

Introducing Limus®

Limus® optimal nitrogen availability for more consistent yields. Proven to reduce nitrogen loss by as much as 98 percent, Limus® is based on a multi-patented novel formulation that contains two active ingredients for blocking active sites of soil urease enzymes.

 

One of the three primary plant nutrients, nitrogen is the engine of plant growth. It is required in large quantities throughout the growing season for the best plant outcomes. The challenge for growers is minimizing nitrogen loss to protect yields and the environment.

Greater nitrogen use efficiency

Limus® has two urease inhibitors that together are more effective on the range of soil urease enzymes than a single inhibitor. Greater urea protection leads to improved nitrogen availability during critical crop-growth stages for more consistent yields

Improved storage and transportation

Limus® brings solutions to those in the fertilizer market who face operational challenges in the transportation, application, storage and handling of urea-based fertilizers. The Limus® formulation’s stability and urea protection provide a longer storage time and greater transportation flexibility under a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions.

Better farm management

Added protection from volatilization loss means improved nitrogen application flexibility. This provides improved significant opportunity for efficiency and flexibility in growers’ nitrogen-management programs.

Improved storage and transportation

Limus® brings solutions to those in the fertilizer market who face operational challenges in the transportation, application, storage and handling of urea-based fertilizers. The Limus® formulation’s stability and urea protection provide a longer storage time and greater transportation flexibility under a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions.

Mode of action

Urease is an extracellular enzyme found in all soils that can bind to urea and hydrolyze it into ammonia gas. Limus® urease inhibitors bind to the urease active site, preventing urea hydrolysis and reducing ammonia formation. Its combination of two active ingredients enables Limus® to be more effective against a wide range of urease characteristics.

Process of ammonia (NH3) volatilization

Urease enzymes in soil cause the hydrolysis of urea resulting  in ammonia (NH3) volatilization. This leads to less available  ammonium in the soil and less available nitrogen for the plant.

Effect of a standard urease inhibitor

NBPT blocks the urease enzyme, slows down urea hydrolysis and hence ammonia volatilization.

A broad range of organisms in soil (bacteria, fungi and plants) produce slightly different urease enzymes.

Urease enzymes differ in

  • Structure and dynamics 
  • Speed to hydrolyze urea
  • Affinity to urease inhibitors

Different urease enzymes require different urease inhibitors.

The Limus® Effect

With its two active ingredients, Limus® inhibits a broader range of urease enzymes resulting in less ammonia (NH3) losses. 

The Limus® Formulation

The formulation of Limus®, which is based on BASF polymer technology, is the benchmark in formulation stability, transport and storage of treated fertilizers. It outperforms competitor products especially concerning stability of the A.I. on urea.

Urease inhibitors in general bind to urease, thus preventing conversion to ammonia.
The characteristics of urease enzymes vary based on origin and soil properties. Limus® is a composition of two different urease inhibitors that combined are more effective than a single inhibitor.
Limus® Brochure
OD_BASF_Limus_FactSheet_A4_EN_2020.indd
Limus® Factsheet

*Limus® is not offered for sale in all countries. Contact your local BASF team for availability in your area. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and follow all instructions for use.

Application area

Soil Management

Adequate water and nutrition is essential for increasing yields in agriculture. Good results come not just from planting and fertilizing, but by paying close attention to plants’ needs. One of those n...