Time to set the stage for a successful harvest! During planting, many growers focus on macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but it’s equally important to consider what micronutrients do for crop performance.
Let’s look at this from a performance perspective. We’ll assign roles, set the stage, and put on a real show. For growers, that means planning the planter fertilizer strategy, concentrating on the importance of micronutrients, and looking at how AgroLiquid products and knowledge can help you meet your goals.
Assigning roles – where do micronutrients fit?
Micronutrients, though needed in smaller quantities, are needed for certain plant functions. As we all know, deficiencies can impact yield and quality. However, identifying the exact deficiencies can be challenging because their symptoms can look similar.
Planting time is the best time to apply micronutrients. Addressing deficiencies ahead of time is more effective than trying to correct them after they exist. By placing nutrients directly in the root zone at planting, you can make sure crops have access to nutrients from the start.
Since 1994, the North Central Research Station has been experimenting with planter fertilizer opportunities. This research has helped us come up with plans to improve fertilizer use during planting time, as well as replace macronutrients as well as primary nutrients.
Setting the stage – planting time
Research has demonstrated that meeting all plant nutrient needs, as shown by soil tests, leads to improved results.
For example, in fields deficient in potassium, adding potassium fertilizer to the nitrogen and phosphorus starter resulted in higher yields compared to phosphorus alone.
AgroLiquid offers a range of products to meet your specific needs:
• Pro-Germinator: A dual-form phosphate fertilizer with multi-form nitrogen.
• Sure-K: A chloride and hydroxide-free potassium fertilizer.
• Micro 500: A micronutrient blend containing zinc, manganese, iron, copper, and boron.
Performance – putting on a show
Let’s see how it performs.
This field was low in potassium, and the addition of K to the nitrogen and phosphorus starter saw an increased yield over that with phosphorus alone. Here, we compared outcomes based on the use of NPK fertilizer alone (which is Pro-Germinator) and an NPK fertilizer combined with a potassium fertilizer (Sure-K).
In a second field with soil with high P and low K, a much higher yield occurred when the 10 gallons per acre fertilizer mix was heavier on the K side.
Trials show that AgroLiquid micronutrients perform better than dry micros, since they can be placed in a root zone band. Our products also have better yield results compared with other options.
For more info on this research, visit Micronutrients at Planter Time.
AgroLiquid is here to help you work through your entire crop performance, from beginning to a successful end. Making the most of planting time will give your crops the best chance for a good showing. Need someone to help? Our experts are always standing by to give you a hand.