One-pass N application saves farmers fuel, time
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ESN feeds the crop when it needs it, thanks to its polymer coating technology. This coating allows water within the soil to move into the granule and dissolve the urea inside. The urea solution then moves out through the coating into the soil where it is available to the crop. The rate the urea solution moves out through the coating is determined by soil temperature and moisture. This provides the benefit of feeding the crop all season long.
Another benefit of using ESN in seed row placement is improved emergence and stands, generally resulting in higher yields and potentially higher grain protein. Using ESN allows farmers to get the benefits of in-row seed placement, without sacrificing seed safety.
“Placing higher rates of urea in the seed row allows for greater use of the N, but with normal urea, as farmers increase the rate of seed-placed urea, the increased seedling mortality will result in increased crop yield loss,” says McKenzie. “With today’s high N prices, even a bushel or two in lost yield means a lot in returns.”
In many years, seed safety does not present a challenge, provided farmers stay within recommended application rates (see chart below). But weather challenges have made this year anything but an average year.
Safe N Rates When Applying ESN for cereal grains
Urea
|
|
1” spread (disc or knife |
2” spread (spoon or hoe) |
3” spread (sweep) |
4” spread (sweep) |
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|
|
Row spacing |
Row spacing |
Row spacing |
Row spacing |
||||||||
|
|
6” |
9” |
12” |
6” |
9” |
12” |
6” |
9” |
12” |
6” |
9” |
12” |
|
Soil texture |
17% |
11% |
8% |
33% |
22% |
17% |
50% |
33% |
25% |
67% |
44% |
33% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Light (sandy loam) |
20 lbs./a |
15 lbs./a |
10 lbs./a |
30 lbs./a |
25 lbs./a |
20 lbs./a |
40 lbs./a |
30 lbs./a |
20 lbs./a |
50 lbs./a |
40 lbs./a |
30 lbs./a |
|
Medium (loam to clay loam) |
30 lbs./a |
25 lbs./a |
20 lbs./a |
40 lbs./a |
35 lbs./a |
30 lbs./a |
50 lbs./a |
40 lbs./a |
35 lbs./a |
60 lbs./a |
50 lbs./a |
40 lbs./a |
|
Heavy (clay to heavy clay) |
40 lbs./a |
35 lbs./a |
30 lbs./a |
50 lbs./a |
40 lbs./a |
35 lbs./a |
60 lbs./a |
50 lbs./a |
40 lbs./a |
70 lbs./a |
60 lbs./a |
50 lbs./a |
ESN
|
|
1” spread (disc or knife |
2” spread (spoon or hoe) |
3” spread (sweep) |
4” spread (sweep) |
||||||||
|
|
Row spacing |
Row spacing |
Row spacing |
Row spacing |
||||||||
|
|
6” |
9” |
12” |
6” |
9” |
12” |
6” |
9” |
12” |
6” |
9” |
12” |
|
Soil texture |
17% |
11% |
8% |
33% |
22% |
17% |
50% |
33% |
25% |
67% |
44% |
33% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Light (sandy loam) |
40- 60 lbs./a |
30-45 lbs./a |
30-45 lbs./a |
60-90 lbs./a |
50-75 lbs./a |
40-60 lbs./a |
80-120 lbs./a |
60-90 lbs./a |
50-75 lbs./a |
100-150 lbs./a |
80-120 lbs./a |
60-90 lbs./a |
|
Medium (loam to clay loam) |
60-90 lbs./a |
50-75 lbs./a |
40-60 lbs./a |
80-120 lbs./a |
70-105 lbs./a |
60-90lbs./a |
100-150 lbs./a |
80-120 lbs./a |
70-105 lbs./a |
120-180 lbs./a |
100-150 lbs./a |
80-120 lbs./a |
|
Heavy (clay to heavy clay) |
80-120 lbs./a |
70-105 lbs./a |
60-90 lbs./a |
100-150 lbs./a |
80-120 lbs./a |
70-105 lbs./a |
120-180 lbs./a |
100-150 lbs./a |
80-120 lbs./a |
140-210 lbs./a |
120-180 lbs./a |
100-150 lbs./a |
“Soil type and weather conditions also impact the safe rate of N applications,” says Blaylock. “Dry conditions may lower the safe rate and sandy soils present a greater risk of ammonia toxicity. Make sure to check the local seed-safe rates for your geography and crop or contact an AAT representative for more information.”
The weather challenges of the past year might persuade farmers to be cautious about in-row N application next spring. However, even in dry soils, control-released fertilizer like ESN can provide the convenience of in-row application with seed safety farmers can trust. To learn more about how ESN provides both safety and performance, visit http://www.smartnitrogen.com/
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