More Grapes, Less Nitrogen: The Sustainable Power of Lono

More Grapes, Less Nitrogen: The Sustainable Power of Lono

Lono is a functional fertiliser that boosts grape yields, improves nitrogen use efficiency, and promotes sustainable viticulture.

As fertiliser prices rise and sustainability targets tighten, growers are looking for smarter tools to maximise yields without environmental compromise. One solution gaining traction in table grape production is Lono—a functional fertiliser from Levity Crop Science that provides nitrogen in a stabilised amine form. Lono uses patented Limin™ chemistry to deliver more efficient nitrogen and actively shape plant development, resulting in more productive, balanced growth.

“Levity have been working on table grapes for many years—starting with growers in Egypt’s Minya region and now expanding to South Africa, California, and beyond. In that time Lono has become a standout functional fertiliser for this crop, delivering growth in the right places. We see bigger leaves but less excessive foliage, better flower panicle extension, more even berry development, and significant yield increases. And crucially, this happens with less nitrogen, used more efficiently.” — David Marks, Levity Agronomy Team

Why Grapes Need a Different Kind of Nitrogen

Conventional nitrogen fertilisers typically rely on nitrate or ammonium forms, which have limitations:

• Nitrate promotes excessive vegetative growth
• Ammonium can be volatile and inefficient in certain soils
• Both are often lost before plants can utilise them fully

Lono changes this paradigm. Its stabilised amine nitrogen supports cytokinin synthesis, which boosts root growth and reproductive development. By encouraging crops to allocate more energy to fruit rather than foliage, Lono delivers improved yields and quality with lower environmental risk and greater nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).

Trial Highlights – Table Grapes

California – Table Grapes var. Red Globe

A commercial vineyard trial showed significant improvements:

• 88% of berries in the treated block were ≥1 inch diameter, vs. 78% in the control
• 12.8% relative increase in large, premium-grade berries
• Enhanced pack-out and visual uniformity

South Africa – Table Grapes var. Crimson

A 2021 trial in Mookgophong, South Africa (conducted by TPH Levity) evaluated Lono K and Sulis

Figure 1: Crimson grape leaves – Lono-treated (left) show better health and colour compared to control (right).

Figure 2: Crimson grape bunches – Lono-treated (right) larger and more uniform than control (left).

• Average 5-bunch weight: +45% increase with treatment
• 50-berry weight: +39% increase
• Total weight of 20 bunches: From 5.44 kg → 7.05 kg (∼30% increase)
• Berry count per 100g: Reduced from 21 (control) to 13 (treated) → Larger berries
• Visuals: Treated Crimson had firmer stems and denser bunches

These results validate Lono’s use on table grapes, showing its flexibility across varieties and growing regions.

“Lono-treated vines are not just yielding more—they’re yielding better. We’re seeing bunches with tighter berry size distribution, better shape, and superior packout quality. It’s not just about more fruit, it’s about more valuable fruit.” — Levity Agronomy Team

How to Apply Lono – A Functional Fertiliser for Efficient Nitrogen Use

• Rate: 20–30 L/Ha per season, split into 5–10 L/Ha applications
• Timing: Begin at early vegetative growth and continue through flowering and fruit set
• Method: Can be applied via foliar spray or drip irrigation
• Reduction: Enables up to 25 reduction in conventional nitrogen use

Sustainability: A Smarter Approach to Nitrogen

Modern viticulture faces a pressing sustainability challenge—conventional nitrogen sources are wasteful and polluting. Nitrate-based fertilisers not only promote unwanted vegetative growth, but also leach easily into water systems, contributing to eutrophication and greenhouse gas emissions.

Lono addresses this by offering a low-loss, plant-aligned nitrogen source. The stabilised amine nitrogen in Lono is resistant to leaching and volatilisation. It stays in the soil longer, feeding the plant when needed and supporting cytokinin activity, which directs growth towards fruit and root development rather than excessive foliage.

If global table grape production shifted to a Lono-based program, reducing conventional nitrogen use by 25% and replacing it with just 20L/Ha of Lono, the environmental benefits would be considerable:

• Thousands of tonnes of nitrate pollution could be prevented
• Carbon footprint reductions: For example, replacing 25% of synthetic N use in South Africa’s 19,788 hectares of table grapes could save over 57,000 metric tonnes of CO₂e annually
• Improved input efficiency: Less fertiliser waste, more yield per unit N applied

In short, Lono not only grows better grapes—it cultivates a more responsible agriculture.

Conclusion: Grow Grapes Not Leaves

Lono is more than a nitrogen source. It is a tool for controlling growth habit and improving output. By influencing cytokinin-driven processes, it helps grapes grow with less leaf and more yield.

From California to South Africa, growers are seeing:

• More consistent fruit sizing
• Higher yield and marketable grade
• Lower N losses and nitrate pollution

Want to know more about how Lono can work for your vineyard? Contact Levity Crop Science today and grow grapes better.