How Lono Improves Yield in Cucumbers: A Functional Fertiliser Redefining Efficiency

Modern cucumber production demands more than just nitrogen—it demands the right kind of nitrogen. Lono is a functional fertiliser developed by Levity Crop Science, designed to maximise nitrogen use efficiency and improve yield by shifting the way crops allocate energy. Instead of driving excessive foliage growth, Lono focuses growth on flowering and fruiting, unlocking higher productivity.

What Makes Lono Ca a Functional Fertiliser

Unlike conventional nitrate or ammonium-based nitrogen fertilisers, Lono Ca delivers nitrogen in a stabilised amine form through Levity’s patented LimIn technology. This makes it functionally different, and far more efficient:

1. No Leaching or Loss: Lono Ca resists conversion and leaching, so nitrogen stays in the root zone and enters the plant in a stable, usable form.
2. Energy-Efficient Metabolism: Amine nitrogen is metabolised through a short, low-energy pathway, freeing up more energy for photosynthesis and growth.
3. Growth Partitioning: Lono Ca shifts plant growth from shoot elongation and foliage to flower and fruit development—where yield is determined.

The Study: Lono Ca in Spanish Cucumber Production

A field trial in Almería, Spain evaluated Lono Ca on cucumbers grown under plastic tunnels. The control was a standard programme of 1000kg/ha ammonium nitrate and 350kg/ha potassium nitrate. This was compared with 5L/week Lono applied every week from the first week after planting.

Key Results

Lono Ca significantly altered the crop phenotype, reducing internode length while boosting cucumber yield:

This is a 30% yield increase with shorter internodes, demonstrating that Lono Ca shifted growth away from vegetative expansion toward fruit production.

Fertiliser Input Comparison (Per Hectare)

Here’s a comparison of total nitrogen inputs and associated CO₂ emissions for the cucumber trial:

The graph illustrates a strong inverse relationship between internode length and fruit yield. As internodes shortened under Lono Ca, yield rose—evidence of better growth partitioning. Lono Ca optimised the plant’s architecture and resource use, leading to more marketable cucumbers.

Summary

Lono Ca isn’t just about supplying nitrogen—it’s about changing how nitrogen works in the plant. By keeping nitrogen in its most beneficial form, Lono Ca:

• Enhances photosynthesis
• Minimises waste and pollution
• Promotes yield over foliage

A Word from Levity

“At Levity we understand that crops make decisions—just like we do. If I have a dollar in my pocket, I can’t spend it twice. Plants face the same choice: use their energy to grow—but where? Shoots or fruit? You can’t spend it twice. Lono encourages crops to invest that energy in fruit, not just foliage. That’s the power of a functional fertiliser that works with the plant, not against it.” David Marks, Levity Crop Science

Lono Ca is a smarter nitrogen solution for growers looking to improve cucumber yield, fruit quality, and sustainability—all in one product.

Cucumber growers constantly walk a fine line—chasing high yield while managing energy use, vegetative growth, and nutrient efficiency. At Levity Crop Science, our product Lono—specifically in its calcium formulation, Lono Ca —is proving to reshape this balance.