Corn response to preplant, starter and post-applied fertilizer
(Research Report, Carrington REC, December 2022)A study to examine the performance of corn with preplant incorporated (PPI), in-furrow (IF) or post-emergence (POST) applied zinc (Zn) and sulfur (S) fertilizer, plus two specialty fertilizer additives.
A field study continued at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center, and supported by the ND Corn Utilization Council, to examine the performance of corn with preplant incorporated (PPI), in-furrow (IF) or post-emergence (POST) applied zinc (Zn) and sulfur (S) fertilizer, plus two specialty fertilizer additives. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. The trial was established on conventionally tilled, Heimdal-Emrick loam soil with 2.8% organic matter, 7.9 (0-6 inches) and 8.3 (6-24 inches) pH, 0.35 mmho/cm (0-6 inches) and 0.48 mmho/cm (6-24 inches) soluble salts, 41 lb nitrate-N/acre, 2 ppm (low) P, 119 ppm (med) K and 0.26 ppm (low) Zn. Barley was the prior crop in 2021. Urea (80 lb N/acre) + 0-0-60 (67 lb K2O/acre) were PPI on May 6. PPI treatments were applied May 18 and incorporated with a field cultivator plus harrow. DeKalb ‘DKC32-12RIB’ (82-day relative maturity) Roundup Ready corn was planted with a John Deere 71 4-row flex planter on May 18 in 30-inch rows, and included IF fertilizer treatments. Foliar treatments were applied on June 28 at the V6-7 growth stages. NDAWN monthly rain (inches): May=6.7; June=2.9; July=1.5; August=1.2; September=0.6; October=0.15; and 6-month total=13.1. Grain was harvested with a plot combine on November 8.
Time from corn planting to plant emergence was similar (June 2) among treatments (data not shown). However, silk dates were extended 3-5 days among fertilizer treatments compared to the untreated check (Table). Early season plant stand (measured at V2 growth stage) averaged 26,165 plants/acre and was similar among treatments including untreated check. Plant height was 4-10 inches greater among fertilizer treatments compared to the untreated check. Grain yield with PPI treatments increased 24-47% compared to the untreated check. IF treatments generally tended to increase yield compared to the untreated check. Test weight was 1.8-1.9 lb/bu greater with PPI treatments that were followed with IF 10-34-0 compared to the untreated check. Grain harvest moisture and seed quality factors were similar among treatments.
