ROSTHERN, Sask. – Producers who reduced fertilizer application at
seeding because it was too dry can add fertilizer now that it has
rained across much of the Prairies.
A researcher studying split applications of fertilizer says it appears
that application should not be delayed once the rain has arrived.
Guy Lafond, a scientist with Agriculture Canada at the Indian Head,
Sask., research farm, said applying fertilizer at seeding and then
again in June appears to be a risk management option for dry years.
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But it requires some timely management, he told those at the recent
Seager Wheeler direct seeding field day.
“One thing you have to remember is you probably have to do it sooner
rather than later because about 75 percent of nitrogen is already taken
up by the plant by about five weeks after seeding.”
Lafond ran a trial on split application of nitrogen last year at Indian
Head and Scott, Sask.
Splitting application has several potential advantages, he said. There
is less fertilizer to handle at seeding, it minimizes risk in dry
conditions and allows more flexibility in nitrogen management.
The tests examined several nitrogen application methods on wheat and
canola.
There was dry urea, mid-row banded at seeding and liquid UAN and UAN
plus ATS, or ammonium thiosulfate, applied at one, 10, 20 and 30 days
after seeding.
The post-seeding applications were done with a dribble applicator and
with a coulter.
There was almost no difference in yield and protein among the various
tests, meaning the post-seeding application was able to maintain
productivity.
“I think it is safe to say that post-emergent dribble can sustain yield
for up to 20 days. Coulter injection did not show a large advantage
over the surface dribbler. Even though it was a dry year, we still got
the response.”
Lafond said he believes that when top dressing, banding liquid UAN is
superior to broadcasting urea nitrogen.
Overall, the practice is a balance of risks, he said.
In dry conditions, producers might be tempted to apply no fertilizer at
seeding, preferring to wait until there is rain. But Lafond said that
can cause problems. He recommends applying 30 to 50 percent of the
recommended rate just in case it becomes impossible to add nitrogen
later due to weather.
“Remember, usually June is the wettest month of the year,” and
unexpected rain can keep you out of the field, he said. Also June is
usually the time when farmers are busy herbicide spraying.
In years with good moisture at seeding and indications of normal
precipitation to come during the growing season, he recommends putting
down all the fertilizer at seeding.
Three Saskatchewan farmers on a panel at the conference, Darryl
Reynolds of Nokomis, Ron Leonard of Harris and Leo Grenier of Bellevue,
related their experience with split fertilizer application.
All used liquid fertilizer. Two used dribble banding and one a coulter.
All agreed that in a dry year, the practice gives the producer the
chance to control costs. Grenier said he tried a 40 acre test of adding
30 pounds of nitrogen per acre at the late flag leaf stage in wheat to
boost protein. There was an increase of one percentage point.
Reynolds said he doesn’t like the tire tracks in the field: “They
stayed noticeable through the growing season, but if you are trying to
keep your costs under control, it is well worth the effort.”
