The 2 Step nd
Building a Crop Nutrition Program
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Potassium Angi Bunn
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The 2nd Step John Leif
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Here to serve you Stephanie Zelinko
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Forages: We can do better Dan Peterson
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AgroLiquid and Strip-Till: Made for each other Dr. Jerry Wilhm
New Era in Fertilizer Application Tim Duckert
**Pro-Germinator is sold as PrG in the state of California. Pro-Germinator is not available in this state. **LiberateCa is sold as microLink Ca in Canada. LiberateCa is not available in Canada.
The North Central Research Station focuses on harvesting and collecting data. The latest in product development results, fertilizer trials in your area, and all research is available at agroliquid.com
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Angi Bunn, Communication Specialist Potassium (K) is absorbed by plants in larger amounts than any other mineral nutrient except nitrogen, and is required for nutrient movement in the plant. It is essential for the makeup of over 40 different enzymes and is involved in more than 60 different enzyme systems in plants. Potassium is also important in the formation of sugars and starches in plants. Crops that produce a large amount of carbohydrates (sugars) such as cotton, almonds, alfalfa, grapes, cherries and peaches require large amounts of potassium. Potassium is used by plants to regulate the process of opening and closing the stomatal openings of their leaves. That process influences water use efficiency and carbon dioxide use in the plant. Potassium’s influence on cell turgor pressure and water relations in the plant helps the plants resist the effects of drought and temperature extremes, and aids resistance to many plant diseases The Problem Depending on soil type, 90-98% of total soil potassium is unavailable. Feldspars and micas are clays that contain large amounts of potassium, but plants cannot use the nutrient if it is trapped between the layers of those clays. In persistently dry soils, potassium remains unavailable, as there is no water film surrounding the soil particles. Over time, these minerals break down, and the potassium is released. However, this process is too slow to provide crops the amount of potassium needed for optimal yield. The Opportunity Sure-K® has been serving in the industry for over 20 years. Designed as a full-season planter-time potassium source, its application options have been expanding since its inception. Sure-K can be applied in-furrow, strip-till, 2X2, sidedress, broadcast on small grains and forage crops, and as a foliar. Sure-K provides the same amount of usable potassium per gallon as 10-13 units of potash. AgroLiquid’s Flavonol Polymer Technology can deliver the potassium in Sure-K to the plant with superior accuracy and efficiency. Sure-K’s
ability to provide foliar potassium has proven to be an excellent method to deliver potash inseason, allowing a grower to delay their decision to maximize nutrient inputs until they can better judge the potential of the crop. Sure-K has unparalleled compatibility with other AgroLiquid products and many crop protection products industry-wide. Sure-K remains an industry-leading potassium source proven through research and trusted by growers.
AgroLiquid offers clean, chloride- and hydroxide-free potassium products. This is especially important to grapes, which are sensitive to chloride and salt toxicity. Kalibrate® was developed as a full-season, plantertime liquid potassium source complimented by AgroLiquid’s Flavonol Polymer Technology. A gallon of Kalibrate can provide the same amount of usable potassium as 10-13 units of potash in a grower’s fertility program. In addition to the potash, Kalibrate also brings the equivalent of two units of sulfur per gallon supplied to help balance the nutrient program for the crop. Kalibrate has excellent application flexibility and can be applied in-furrow, strip-till, 2X2, sidedress, and broadcast on small grains and forage crops without risk of crop injury. Also, this product has superior application compatibility and can be partnered with all AgroLiquid products as well as many other industry compounds. Growers have quickly adopted Kalibrate’s research-proven technologies in their crop nutrition programs, and have been rewarded with dependable results. Unsurpassed application flexibility and compatibility along with research-proven, farmer-trusted results. That’s AgroLiquid. Go to agroliquid.com for more information.
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The 2
nd
An article in the Winter 2017 Newsletter discussed the importance of obtaining a good quality soil sample. That’s the critical first step. But then what? Once the sample is analyzed, what should be done with the report? The information on that soil test is essential to the Retail Partner or grower understanding the condition of the soil and how to determine nutrient recommendations.
John Leif, Field Agronomy Manager
An example soil test report from Midwest Labs. As you can see, the report is complete, showing organic matter, pH, Cation Exchange Capacity, Base Saturation, and nutrient levels – including micronutrients.
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The first section of the soil test to review is the pH, CEC, and percent base saturation section. We get a general indication of the soil texture by the CEC. A soil with a CEC below 8 is considered sandy, whereas a soil with a CEC between 8 and 14 is a medium textured, or loamy soil. When a soil has a CEC higher than 14 there is a fairly high clay content. Those values are not hard-and-fast rules, but generally the higher the CEC the more clay and organic matter the soil contains.
Building a Crop Nutrition Program Soil pH has a direct effect on nutrient availability. This chart shows relative nutrient availability at various soil pH levels. Most nutrients are readily available when the soil pH is 6 – 7.5. Notable exceptions are aluminum, where availability drops substantially at pH levels greater than 5, and iron & manganese where availability drops starting at pH 6 and higher. It is also important to note that most bacteria and fungi are most active in soils with pH above 5.5.
– 75%, magnesium level between 10 – 18% and potassium level between 3 – 5% provide the best opportunity for all nutrients in the soil to be available, good soil structure and water holding capacity, and good microbial activity. When those nutrients are in their desired ranges, soil pH is usually in the upper 6s to 7s. Simple calculations to help determine the amount of calcium, magnesium, or dry potash amendments needed to make base saturation adjustments are available.
Base saturation is the ratio, or proportion, of the amounts of potassium, magnesium, calcium, hydrogen, and sodium in the soil. Having the soil’s calcium base saturation level between 65
Let’s turn our attention to the crop nutrition we will need to provide during the growing season.
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Nitrogen Nitrogen recommendations have been well researched for many crops. Most crops have nitrogen recommendation equations that account for yield goals and soil residual nitrogen. Other factors to consider may include nitrogen credit for previous crops. Nitrate nitrogen is a very mobile nutrient in the soil because it has a negative charge and doesn’t attach to soil particles. Although the recommendation equations are a very good starting point, environmental factors such as rainfall, temperatures, and water saturation will influence nitrogen presence in the soil. Phosphorus Phosphorous plays a major role in crop production – from the earliest stages of growth through fruit production and maturity. When recommending phosphorus - or any nutrient - the yield goal is important. Phosphorus recommendations depend on yield goal and the readily-available phosphorus in the soil. That value is found in the Bray P1 column when soil pH is less than 7 and the Olsen Bicarbonate column when the soil pH is greater
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than 7. Some labs use the Mehlich 3 extraction process to determine available phosphorus, which is not dependent on soil pH. P2O5 recommendations also take into account whether there is low, adequate, or high levels of phosphorus in the soil. Applying the amount of P2O5 needed to grow the crop and taking advantage of the nutrients already in the soil will provide for good crop production and reduced potential for environmental problems. The actual amount of P2O5 needed to grow the crop will vary by crop and yield goal but if the phosphate level is less than 30 ppm most crops will respond to supplemental P2O5 application. Crops that are often planted in cool, moist soils, such as corn, will benefit from a small amount of P2O5 applied at planting, even in high phosphorus soils. Potassium Many crops, especially legumes, fruits, and vegetables, have a high demand for potassium. It is necessary for fruit production and water relationships in the plant, among many other functions.
When recommending K2O, the yield goal is the first piece of information to be collected. However, in addition to yield goal, the CEC of the soil also figures in to making recommendations for potassium. In sandy soils a potassium level of 150 - 175 ppm is considered adequate for most crops, and in higher CEC soils that value is upwards of 200 – 225 ppm. Those values are reasonable for row crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat, but may not be adequate for crops that have a high demand for potassium. Sulfur Sulfur is vital to high yielding, high quality crops. It is not required in as high of rate as N, P, and K in most crops, but it is just as vital to plant health. Sulfur recommendations are based on several factors including CEC, organic matter, and pH. A rule of thumb to use for determining sulfur need is that most crops require 1 lb of sulfur for every 10 lbs of nitrogen the plant needs. Most crops will respond to sulfur applications when soil sulfur level is below 25 ppm. The last section of the soil test is the micronutrient section, but the term “micro� does not mean that they are unimportant. In fact, having the proper amounts of micronutrients available to the crop is as critical to yield and quality as N, P, and K. Micronutrients are needed in much smaller amounts than other nutrients, but again, they are every bit as important as the other nutrients for proper crop growth and production. Crops such as corn, soybeans, apples, cotton, and tomatoes respond very well to additions of zinc, boron and manganese when the soil test calls for it. Crops such as wheat respond most to iron and manganese. Small amounts in the soil are extremely important, however excessive amounts can be phytotoxic. There is a lot of information on a soil test analysis report. For additional information, or assistance in using soil test reports to develop a crop nutrition plan, contact an AgroLiquid Retail Partner, or AgroLiquid representative.
Find a Retail Partner or representative near you at agroliquid.com.
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Stephanie Zelinko, Agronomic Sciences Project and Data Manager There are lots of choices out there when it comes to selecting where to buy crop nutrition products. What makes AgroLiquid any different? It comes down to two things that we have been doing for over 30 years: providing a complete line of effective crop nutrients and offering highly trained staff to provide sound recommendations based on a soil test and agronomics. This allows AgroLiquid’s sales and agronomic sciences teams to review soil tests, find areas to improve yield and recommend prescription programs to help growers achieve top economic yield return. For many years, research at the North Central Research Station along with field trials across the country have evaluated specific nutrient additives to fertility programs based on limiting factors in the soil. By identifying these limiting factors through soil test, precise nutrient
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recommendations can be made. AgroLiquid’s line of 29 products includes not only N-P-K, but all of the essential secondary and micronutrients needed for a complete fertility program. With environmental cleanup practices, the amount of free sulfur from industry has been drastically reduced. Because of this, there has been a greater focus on having to apply this nutrient to achieve top yield. This, tied with the fact that grass crops such as corn have a high requirement for sulfur, means it should be a focus of any fertility program. AgroLiquid’s eNhance™ is a seed-safe sulfur source containing 8.7% sulfur along with nitrogen, zinc and manganese. Seven research trials on corn over the past five years have shown that on average an additional 5 bu/A was achieved when 2 quarts of eNhance was added to an in-furrow fertility program.
Calcium is another nutrient often limiting on a soil test. In very low testing soils, amending the soil with calcium lime is the best recommendation to help balance the soil. However, there are cases where soil amendments are not possible. In these situations, AgroLiquid can provide calcium in a band close to the seed with use of LiberateCa™. This application will not increase soil calcium levels or pH; however, will provide needed nutrition for the crop that season. An application of 2 qt/A of LiberateCa as part of an in-furrow corn fertilizer program continues to improve crop yield. Research in six trials since 2013 has shown a yield increase or more than 6 bu/A yield increase with this application. Comparison of yield response to the percent base saturation of calcium in the soil shows that the lower the soil value, the greater the response to the planter application of LiberateCa. A current topic in the agriculture industry is the use of carbon and biologicals. One of AgroLiquid’s newest products, PrimAgro C-TECH™, was developed to meet this demand. C-TECH is a specialized formulation of carbon and biological agents that may be safely applied as part of a
crop nutrition program to help promote nutrient availability and improve soil health. As a part of the product development phase for PrimAgro C-TECH, nine trials over the past three years were completed evaluating the addition of 2 qt/A to an in-furrow corn program. On average over 4 bu/A additional yield was achieved with the addition of PrimAgro C-TECH with greater response shown in soils with lower CECs. In addition, the application of PrimAgro C-TECH should increase soil fertility in these fields, over time. Backed by years of research, AgroLiquid offers added value through precision-based recommendations. The Company’s complete line of primary, secondary, and micronutrient products, when used to address limiting elements found on a soil test, gives growers the advantage to produce top yielding crops. This, along with trained sales staff to help growers make these management decisions, is what makes AgroLiquid different than other crop nutrition suppliers in the industry. For more information on this research and more visit our website at research.agroliquid.com.
A Closer Look at Soil Health The technology in the PrimAgro™ line of products increases soil microbes and respiration from plant roots and soil fauna. Soil respiration is an important indicator of soil health because it signals the level of microbial activity. Agroliquid is researching and testing PrimAgro’s proficiency in field conditions at the NCRS to determine the level of increased microbial activity. Dr. Zouheir Massri is leading the research using a simple chemical method to assess the size and activity of the microbial community through measurement of carbon dioxide released as a waste product of respiration. Look for updates on this and other research from the NCRS at research.agroliquid.com.
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AgroLiquid Sales Account Manager
When the acres of pasture, grass hay, alfalfa, corn and sorgum silages, and grazing wheat in the plains are all added up, forages account for by far the most acreage of any US crop. In fact, land used for grazing is over 780 million acres - nearly double the land used for other crops of all types. Add to that the 61 million acres of alfalfa, 15 million for corn and sorghum silages, then add in the grass hays and others, and you can see that forages comprise the vast majority of US cropland. And yet, it could be said that forages continue to be neglected when it comes to fertilization. The majority of grazing lands receive no fertilizer of any kind, with the resulting low forage yield/lower daily rate of gain being widely accepted on land with low perceived value. At AgroLiquid, however, we are discovering that even a very modest rate of our products applied at the right time results in a large return on investment – Why?
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All of the meat and milk animals that consume forages are, in fact, designed to consume forages – not grains. So even though we do supplement ruminant animal diets with grain, these animals must still have forage as a major component of their diets. Normally when a grower or agronomist is asked why we fertilize forages, the answer will be to obtain higher yields. While that is important, what if we could actually increase the quality and digestibility while at the same time increasing yield? Our answer is yes – yes we can We can, in fact, increase yields and at the same time increase the digestibility and energy content of forage crops. In our trials, here is what we are discovering:
Dan Peterson, Field Agronomy Manager
2018. 1. We increase the sugars, protein, and palatibility in grass hays, and the actual Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDFD) digestibility also improves substantially. 2. On alfalfa we routinely achieve an increase in protein, lower lignin, higher water soluable carbohydrates (sugars), significantly higher Relative Feed Value (RFV) and Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) numbers, higher NDFD tests, and more extractable net energy. 3. On permanent grass pastures we see strong yield and quality responses to low and economical rates of High NRG-N, ProGerminator, Sure-K, and fertiRain. 4. We do not yet have enough data to determine if AgroLiquid nutrients have similar effects on corn and sorghum silages. More silage trials are planned in
What is the value to the beef cow/calf, feedlot manager, or dairyman for quality and digestibility improvement in their forages – even their low value forages such as “grinder hay”? Here are some interesting numbers as an example: Every one whole number increase in the alfalfa NDFD test increases milk production by a half pound more milk per day. We often see an eight point increase in the NDFD score in alfalfa treated with a foliar AgroLiquid program. So if we were feeding a ration with 100% of that alfalfa, the cows would produce four pounds more milk per cow per day. But in real life alfalfa is fed at an average of closer to 25% of the total mixed ration on large dairies. If a dairy operation with 2,000 cows in lactation is feeding alfalfa at 25% of their total mixed ration here is how the math works: 4 pounds times 25% = 1 more pound of milk per cow per day. On this dairy that’s 2,000 more pounds per day. Milk is priced per hundred weight, so that’s 20 more pricing units per day times current “mailbox” price
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of $18 (varies by state) = $360 more per day = $131,400 more per year. In this example, based on a real operation, their extra cost was $15,000 per year (replacing a portion of their standard dry program) which netted them $116,400.
product, it will, in most situations, improve the forage quality. For example, if Pro-Germinator® replaces 11-52-0 on a grass pasture, the quality of the grass will be better. Likewise if Sure-K® replaces or reduces dry potash, the forage treated with Sure-K will have better quality. Where High NRG-N has replaced urea or UAN, the resulting grass pasture or hay will have higher quality, a larger root mass, and more consistent growth.
Can an AgroLiquid program entirely replace a commodity dry program?
In a similar fashion, an AgroLiquid program on a beef cow/calf operation will result in better cow condition and faster rate of gain on the calves. Properly managing pasture and forage can be one of the most controllable, yet overlooked, aspects in maintaining herd health. Healthy plants are not only beneficial for proper nutrition, protein consumption and weight gain, they are also more weed and pest resistant than stressed plants. Properly managed forage can reduce input costs while increasing weight gain and production.
The problem with achieving a healthy, vigorous forage crop for beef cattle is providing a steady amount of nitrogen when the plants need it, while not causing a growth spurt, which can result in grass tetany* and bloat**. When growing rapidly, lush plants may be low in magnesium or high in protein, nitrogen and potassium. These factors can be detrimental to total digestion and absorption of nutrients in cattle. One significant factor we are learning in our many trials is that when individual AgroLiquid products replace the comparable commodity fertilizer
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Can an AgroLiquid program entirely replace a commodity dry program? Yes it can – but you may not always want to. For example, when we have tested yield and quality results where Sure-K is used as a supplemental foliar treatment following a top-dress application of dry potash, we usually see a significant increase in yield and quality versus the dry potash alone. So where soil test K is low, we can use dry potash and Sure-K to the grower’s advantage. On the high pH soils of the Central Plains, however, Pro-Germinator clearly performs better than 1152-0, achieving both higher yields and improved forage quality, and should be recommended as full replacement for the dry. *Tetany is a condition marked by intermittent muscle spasms, caused by the malfunction of the parathyroid glands and a consequent deficiency of calcium. **Bloat is a form of indigestion marked by excessive accumulation of gas in the rumen.
Dr. Jerry Wilhm, Senior Research Manager Farmers have always been smart about determining what works best for them in the area where they are operating. Tillage systems have always been a topic of discussion. Some growers are passionate about No Till while others continue working the ground. These days, the cost of inputs (including tillage) and returns in yield are what makes the final judgement call. Strip-Tillage has been viewed as a blend of tillage and no-till. For nearly thirty years, growers have been using Strip-Tillage to work approximately 30% of the ground with clearing disks, coulters, often a shank and then (often) rolling baskets for seedbed uniformity. The majority of the ground is kept undisturbed for field conservation while just the planted area is worked. One requirement is that crop residue needs to be evenly distributed over the soil surface. Strip-Tillage was developed in the Northern Corn Belt and was found to be an advantage in warming up the soil in the worked zone to enable better spring drying and faster germination of planted seeds. Strip-Tillage has
been a part of AgroLiquid’s North Central Research Station (NCRS) for years. Strip-Tillage is a practical tool in the effort to become more efficient by combining tasks. In addition to tillage, it is also possible, and advisable, to apply crop nutrients during the same pass over the field. Both dry and liquid fertilizers can be applied through strip-tillage equipment, but liquid offers more options. Liquid fertilizers can be applied through a shank similar to the one in the picture. The shank will enable some soil loosening in the future root zone, but also allows for liquid fertilizer application. The one in the picture can apply fertilizer at two depths, so the roots of the crop can find new sources of nutrition as they grow downward. This, along with application with the seed at planting, will enable three nutrient zones. You can see the soil line on the shank. The two hoses go to discharge outlets on the back of the
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shank at depths of 4 and 10 inches below the soil surface. There are additional options where the volume at each depth, as well as different products, can be controlled if separate tanks are used. However, most common is a single fertilizer blend. At the NCRS, Strip Tillage is often used in the fall as a seed bed preparation operation. We have successfully applied Pro-Germinator and Kalibrate or Sure-K in the fall with good results in the crop planted the next spring. However, we like to apply some nitrogen (N) with Strip-Tillage, ahead of corn, and you just can’t do that in the fall in areas that get significant snow or precipitation through the winter due to the risk of nitrogen loss. So for corn we hope for some warm spring days to run before planting if we want to use Strip-Tillage for N application. For fall Strip-Till, we employ alternative ways for in-season nitrogen application, like 2x2 and/or side-dress. Strip-Tillage is particularly popular out in the Great Plains areas of Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado. It has been a good way of saving soil moisture in these dry areas. While center pivot irrigation is common, it is still desirable to save what moisture there is, particularly early in the season at planting. Plus with the winds that are common, the residue saves soil and provides a wind-break for seedlings. The Irrigation Research Foundation (IRF) in NE Colorado is a non-profit
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source of independent research that is supported by the agricultural industry. AgroLiquid has conducted research with the IRF on a variety of crops like corn, soybeans, sugarbeets, wheat and alfalfa over the years. Strip-Tillage is the prevalent type of tillage in the area, and is how nearly all row-crop research is conducted at IRF. With ample irrigation, the yield goals are high. But, as history has shown in this part of the country, there is always a risk of loss from hail and high wind. A fertilizer research project in corn was conducted with AgroLiquid and the IRF in 2017. Fortunately there was only minimal hail and no crop loss. The research project was to evaluate three different AgroLiquid fertilizer programs, with a comparison to a standard IRF fertilizer program, which was unknown to us at the beginning. The AgroLiquid programs were: 1) an appropriate AgroLiquid recommendation split between StripTillage and the planter, 2) the same fertilizers but with the addition of 2 qt/A of PrimAgro C-Tech through the planter, 3) a similar AgroLiquid nutrient application, but with PrimAgro N and PrimAgro P as the N and P sources, and 4) the IRF standard program. Results are in the adjacent graph. All of the AgroLiquid treatments yielded more than that of the conventional treatment. Application volume with Strip-Till was similar for both AgroLiquid (20.25 gal/A) and the conventional (23
gal/A). But at planting the AgroLiquid treatment was 2.25 gal/A vs 18 gal/A with the conventional. Plus the conventional needed the extra 2x2 attachments. The conventional treatment applied approximately a 55-60-3-13S with Strip-Till and planting. Again, we were unaware of the conventional program at the time of treatment development. But for comparison, AgroLiquid used 15 gal/A of High NRG-N and 6 gal/A of Pro-Germinator. So there was additional “equivalent” nitrogen, but otherwise the programs were pretty close, except for micronutrients. Unfortunately, the cost of the Conventional treatment was not known by the IRF researchers, as that was donated from two different sources. The results did not show a response to the addition of PrimAgro C-TECH to the planter fertilizer. Positive yield results have occurred with other testing, like at the NCRS, but not here. However, the use of PrimAgro N and PrimAgro P did result in a yield increase over the regular High NRG-N and ProGerminator treatment. So it appears that there is a response to the beneficial bacteria and microbes after all. As we’ve demonstrated repeatedly at the NCRS and in research throughout the country, there is always more to learn about crop nutrition products, but the results are certainly encouraging. Fer-lizer Programs in Irrigated Strip-‐Till Corn Irriga&on Research Founda&on, Yuma, CO -‐ 2017
DMI Strip-‐Till (3/23)
In-‐furrow (5/8)
Average of 2 ReplicaWons
Pro-‐Germinator + Micro 500 2 gal + 0.25 gal
High-‐N: 15 gal Pro-‐Germ: 4 gal accesS: 1 gal Micro 500: 0.25 gal
268.5
Pro-‐Germ. + Micro 500 + C-‐Tech 2 gal + 0.25 gal + 0.5 gal
PRIMAGRO N: 15 gal PRIMAGRO P: 4 gal accesS: 1 gal Micro 500: 0.25 gal
265.7
PRIMAGRO P + Micro 500 2 gal + 0.25 gal
275.4
2x2 (5/8)
9.6-‐17-‐0-‐3S: 23 gal
260.7
16-‐9-‐0-‐3S: 18 gal
50 gal/A 28-‐0-‐0-‐5 applied through sprinkler 5/29 through 7/22
250 Soil Test (Servi-‐Tech) pH CEC %OM M3: P 6.8 10.8 1.3 54
K 473
ppm S 12
Zn 1.2
255
260
265 270 Yield -‐ Bu/A
275
280
Mn 86
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new era
Tim Duckert, Field Agronomy Research Manager Not too many years ago (although that is relative to your age) there was only one planter placement choice for fertilizer. That was a 2x2, or typically 2” to the side of the seed and 2” below the seed depth. (See image of blue dye 2x2 band). Equipment available at the time would always challenge that actual placement position. However, this was a great option for the conventional dry fertilizer products available then. With the adoption of liquid fertilizers came the opportunity to place some of a plant’s fertility needs near the seed. This method allowed for increases in yield as phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients were positioned to be more available to the seed and plant root system earlier in the growing season. These placements next to the seed are called in-furrow
Blue Dye: 2x2 Band
Blue Dye: 3 Band
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banding and they may be placed below, to the side, or directly over the top of the seeds. Of course each method can have an advantage and disadvantage depending on the product, amount being used and the soil types where they are used. Welcome to a new era in fertilizer placement. The last few years have seen many new attachments for planters that allow for multiple bands of nutrients to be placed near the seed and feed more of the plant’s root system. Multiple banding has allowed the potential for extra yield advantages. See image of blue dye 3 band.
During vegetative growth, the portion of a corn plant that is below ground can actually be more than the amount that is above ground. It is the plant’s root system and its mass that is responsible for water and nutrition uptake. A system that is responsible for producing the desired increase in yields. Fertility placement has an effect on the shape of the plant’s root system. Multiple banding of nutrients helps to enlarge the shape of that root system and help the root system contact more soil. By feeding the roots in multiple bands, nutrients are more available to a larger number of roots and those roots will proliferate more in multiple areas. Nutrient load (ppm) in a single band can be quite high. However, placing that load in smaller portions
in multiple locations will lower the ppm and still allow for efficient availability of the nutrients. A test was conducted at the North Central Research Station in 2017 to evaluate some of the different placement options that are available to growers. The Precision Planting FurrowJet® gave the highest yield when all three positions of placement were used. Multiple banding nutrients near the seed is yet another tool growers can use for increasing yields. Look for more research coming from the North Central Research Station in 2018 that will continue to explore the yield potential from multiple band placements.
Planter Fertilizer Method of Application Comparison in Corn 2x2
161.0 164.7
Keeton® w/ splitter FurrowJet® : Center FurrowJet® : Wings FurrowJet® : Center and Wings Planter Fertilizer: 4 gal/A Pro-Germinator + 3 gal/A Kalibrate + 2 qts/A Micro500; Sidedress: 45 gal/A High NRG-N (V5 YDrop)
160.8 164.9 171.0
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agroliquid.com/salt-index