Fertiliser spreader tray testing
Uneven fertiliser distribution can reduce yield and crop quality. Tray testing ensures even spreading across the spreader’s full bout width, improving nutrient efficiency and return on investment. To perform a tray test, place trays at 0.25 m intervals across the bout width (e.g., 48 trays for 24 m). Use trays with baffles to prevent granule bounce and align them in a straight line in a long, uninterrupted field section. Drive the tractor at a steady speed over the trays and continue spreading beyond them. Weigh each tray’s contents individually and enter the values into Excel or a calculator. Calculate the mean and standard deviation (SD), then compute the coefficient of variation (CV = SD/Mean × 100). A lower CV indicates more uniform spreading, which helps ensure consistent nutrient delivery, better crop performance, and more sustainable fertiliser use.
Additional information
TEAGASC - Ireland
The NUTRI-CHECK NETwork to maximise site-specific precision in managing the nutrition of European arable crops.
Completed | 2023-2025
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Lithuania, Portugal, Poland, United Kingdom