We believe growers deserve a tool that’s proven to simplify nitrogen management, which is why we brought Tidal Grow® alignN® to the market. Countless farm operations are faced with the challenge of applying nitrogen in the right place, at the right time, with the right rate, and via the right source, but alignN® is precisely formulated to overcome all those roadblocks in one easy-to-apply input.
We put alignN® to the test for field trials in 2025. On average, growers can expect over 7 bushels per acre or over $18 per acre in net return. Spoiler alert: there are healthier plants and big yield boosts ahead.
What alignN® Is and How it Works
alignN® 18-0-0 is an encapsulated urea nitrogen that delivers N precisely and directly on and into the leaf. So, instead of relying on translocation, alignN® puts N right where it’s needed. alignN® also:
- Is compatible with most existing nitrogen programs, herbicides, fungicides, and other nutritional inputs
- Can be applied via ground, aerial, and drone
- Allows growers to spoon feed nitrogen during the season, following crop growth and nitrogen demand curves
- Tackles the biggest pain points growers face, including inefficiency, logistics, and cost, in a single solution
Corn: Lifecycle and Nitrogen Demand Curve
Reducing Nitrogen Waste
Modern nitrogen management is challenging in many ways, with waste being a major concern. When using generic plant nutrition inputs, precious nitrogen investments are lost to runoff, volatilization, and poor timing. Alternatively, with Intelligent Leaf Delivery from alignN®, growers can optimize the overall effectiveness of nitrogen applications. We’re talking less stress, less waste, and proven results.
2025 Grower Trial Results
With help from the experts at Heartland Co-op, alignN® was applied across nearly 10,000 acres during large-scale grower trials. Here are the 2025 results.
- Standard practice1: 94.1% agronomic win rate, +8.2 (3.8%) yield improvement (bu/A), $18.39 net return (avg. $/A), across 17 trials
- Reduced by 40 lbs2: 76.9% agronomic win rate, +4.1 (1.9%) yield improvement (bu/A), $12.10 net return (avg. $/A), across 13 trials
- Reduced by 20 lbs3: 87.5% agronomic win rate, +10.5 (4.8%) yield improvement (bu/A), $39.14 net return (avg. $/A), across 8 trials
Yield improvements were preceded by these success indicators, which were observed consistently across field trials:
- Bigger brace roots: Stronger anchoring and resilience against lodging
- Thicker stalks: Improved standability; reduced break risk in storms
- More leaf surface area: Added photosynthesis capacity and energy production
- Improved plant health: Stronger canopies and better stress tolerance
- Bigger ears: Less tip-back, more yield
The Collaboration Driving Grower Innovation
Throughout the development and testing of alignN®, the team at Heartland Co-op has been a trusted collaborator. As the first member of our Formulator Strategic Alliance, they helped shape a collaboration model designed to accelerate the development of intelligent plant nutrition technologies.
The alliance brings industry-leading ag retailers to the ground level of cutting-edge crop input production, creating a new go-to-market approach that benefits retailers and growers.
What Heartland Co-op Has to Say About alignN®
Now that you’ve seen alignN® results by the numbers, let’s hear from our Formulator Strategic Alliance partners themselves.
Tate Denbeste, Heartland Co-op Agronomist
“With my trial … we saw a big difference in our post-pass. We only did one pass around V10, and about a week after, we could see a line in the field where we treated. It was a darker green plant, and you could find stalks that were thicker. The greener plants helped to bring in more photosynthesis … and the thicker stalks provide stronger stalks for wind events.”
Scott Brandt, Heartland Co-op Grower
“We have noticed a very good improvement in the plant health since applying the alignN®. It’s pretty clear and obvious how healthy the plants are. After alignN® was put on, we had no firing, had no crop burn of any sort. In fact, within just a couple weeks, we noticed that the height of the corn had grown significantly. The leaves and just, overall plant health were incredible.”
Sam Salasek, Heartland Co-op Ag Specialist with Trey Cutts, Tidal Grow® AgriScience VP of Commercial Ag Science
“Over the four or five sites we’ve done … we’re seeing very similar responses … the increased diameter and stalk girth. When we’ve been measuring these, on average, we’re getting about a 50% increase in stalk diameter. The other thing we’ve been seeing consistently is the increase in brace roots, which is important for standability and putting up with environmental stresses. That translates into creating that bigger power plant for end-of-season yield.”
On the Horizon: alignN® Coming to Canada in 2026
Tidal Grow® AgriScience is proud to bring results-first, science-backed solutions to growers, and now that mission is expanding into Canada. alignN® is available for use in Canada. Formulated for broadacre crops like canola and wheat, alignN® is well-suited for Canadian growing conditions. Its precise foliar delivery helps improve nitrogen effectiveness in regions with variable moisture and frequent temperature swings.
Are you as excited about alignN® as we are? Connect with a Tidal Grow® AgriScience plant nutrition expert to learn how alignN® can simplify your nitrogen program and boost your yield potential.
1 No nitrogen reduced from growers’ current program. alignN® added into current program.
2 40 Ibs. N/A reduced from growers’ pre-or at-plant standard program + alignN® included.
3 20 Ibs. N/A reduced from growers’ pre-or at-plant standard program + alignN® included.
