How Much
Is Too Much?
NORCROSS, Ga.—How much fertilizer can be
applied directly in the seedtow? That’s one of the
most common questions of small grain farmers in
the northern Great Plains and the Prairies today.
The interest in conservation tillage and the deve
lopment of airseeders which allow direct seeding
of crops into standing stubble give farmers the
opportunity to apply all their fertilizer at planting
in a one-pass operation.
Small amounts of starter fertilizer at seeding is a
proven practice in cereal production. It gets the
crop off to a good start and improves yields. How
ever, too much sredraw fertilizer can cause severe
germination damage, delayed emergence, delayed
maturity and yield loss. Urea nitrogen is of parti
cular concern, although high rates of potash can
also be injurious to germinating seedlings. Cur
rent recommendations in western Canada suggest
seedrow nitrogen plus potash should not exceed
40 pounds per acre and that no more than 25
pounds per acre of urea nitrogen should be applied
with the seed. These guidelines are good for grain
drills which placed the seed and fertilizer in close
contact but are proving too restrictive for newer
seeding implements which place the seed and fer
tilizer in wider bands.
Recent studies have shown that seedbed utiliza
tion, or width of seed spread, is critical to how
much fertilizer nitrogen can be applied with the
seed. North Dakota researchers demonstrated that
increasing the seedrow/fertilizer spread width can
increase the tolerance of cereals to seedrow
applied nitrogen. Using a 6-inch row spacing, they
found that seed in a 1-inch band (17 percent
seedbed utilization) could tolerate 20 to 30 pounds
of nitrogen per acre. When spread over 6 inches
(100 percent seedbed utilization), it was found that
80 to 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre could be
tolerated. Similar studies in Alberta have success
fully applied two to three times current recom
mended N rates with no germination damage or
yield loss in wheat, barley or canola by utilizing SO
to 75 percent of the seedbed.
Other factors influence actual rates that are safe
to apply. These include soil moisture, texture,
lime content, pH, salinity, organic matter, nitro
gen source, crop type and seed quality. Crops tol
erate more seedrow fertilizer when seedbed mois
ture is ideal, when clay and organic matter levels
are high, and when soil lime and salinity levels are
low. Seedbed moisture is most critical. Seedrow
fertilizer rates must be reduced if seedbed mois
ture is less than optimum.
New application guidelines for differing
seedbed utilization are available. However, use
caution when attempting to place high rates of fer
tilizer in the seedrow. Actual safe amounts of
seedrow fertilizer can only be determined with on
farm trial and error. Don’t be afraid to fine-tune
the guidelines to suit local farm-conditions. Seed
row width and seedbed utilization can be manipu
lated but many of the other factors that affect safe
rates are site specific, and can vary within any
field, particularly on soils with rolling
topography.
Seed-placement is one of the most efficient
means of nutrient application...but beware of the
risks. A cautious approach will help maximize fer
tilizer use efficiency and profits.
Classified ads*|
£ PAY OFF! i
r*- -
No hernia is unrepairable, even after
several previous failed attempts. We
specialize in outpatient hernia
repairs, and most patients are able to
return to full work with-in several
days. ,
PLEASE CALL COLLECT OR WRITE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
MID ATLANTIC SUAfiICAL
SEAUICES
217 Harrisburg Ave., Suite 201
Lancaster, PA 17603
(800) HERNIA 8
MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED
FORAGE BOXES
New Stonger Steel Frame Design
New Stronger Variable Speed Clutch
New Extended Warranty
Front & Near Unloader Also Available!
AGRI COMMODITIES
1585 Granite Station
Gettysburg, PA
BINKLEY & HURST
BROS., INC
133 Rothsville Station Rd.
Lititz, PA
DUNKLE & GREIB, INC.
RD #1
Mill Hall, PA
ERB & HENRY
EQUIP. INC.
22-26 Henry Ave.
New Berlinville, PA
HISTAND’S FARM & HOME
RD 1, Box 231
Rome, PA
ICKES FARM SUPPLY
Route 869 West
Osteburg, PA
INCH EQUIPMENT
Box 247, E. Main St.
McAlisterville, PA
LINCOLN SUPPLY &
EQUIPMENT CO.
RR2I, Box 217 A, Somerset, PA
Rt.,135, McCoole, MD
NORMAN D. CLARK
& SONS, INC.
Box 27, Main St.
Honey Grove, Pa
MESSICK FARM EQUIPMENT
Rt. 283, Rheems Exit
* Elizabethtown, PA
MEYER’S
IMPLEMENTS, INC.
400 N. Antrim Way
Greencastle, PA
MIFFLINBURG FARM SUPPLY
Route 45 East
Mlfflinburg, PA
ENFIELD EQUIPMENT
720 Wheeler School Rd.
Whiteford, MD
GEORGE V. SEIPE & SON
1521 Van Buren Road
Easton, PA
BEN VAN OUSEN MACHINERY
RD #2, Box 400
Sayre, PA
LONE MAPLE
SALES & SERVICE
Route 869 West
Osterburg, PA
SANDY LAKE
IMPLEMENT CO., INC.
RD 3
Sandy Lake, PA
WALTEMYER’S SALES
& SERVICE, INC.
, RD #3, Box 43-B
Red Lion, PA