OVERVIEW
- Optimizing Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) relies on potassium ions (K+) to balance the negative charge of nitrate (NO3 -) as it is taken up by roots and distributed throughout the corn plant.
- Aspire is an innovative K fertilizer that uses Nutriform® technology to combine potash along with two forms of boron (B) (fast and slow-release) for optimal nutrient delivery and distribution.
- Adequate levels of K, B, and N can aid in nutrient uptake and optimize nutrient recovery. Nutrient efficiencies can be greater with Aspire compared to potash.
TRIAL DETAILS
CROP: Corn (Zea mays)
YEAR: 2023
LOCATION: Sabanci University, Turkey
DATA SOURCE: Dr. Ismail Cakmak
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Pot trials conducted under greenhouse conditions and averaged across two soil types.
- Loam (7.8 pH, 244 ppm K, 0.1 ppm B)
- Clay (4.6 pH, 81 ppm K, 0.4 ppm B)
- All treatments received N fertilizer.
Treatments:
- Low rate of MOP
- Low rate of Aspire
- High rate of MOP
- High rate of Aspire
Study Details:
- Fertilizers were homogeneously mixed with soil, simulating broadcast and incorporated applications.
- Above ground dry matter and nutrient uptake was determined 37 days after planting.
SUMMARY
- Increasing the K rate from low to high resulted in increased N uptake and plant dry matter production.
- Aspire applications increased N uptake an additional 10.2% over plants grown with MOP when K rates were increased from low to high.
- The increase in plant dry matter at 37 days (≈V6 growth stage) was 14.6% greater in plants treated with Aspire than those with MOP.
- Nitrogen Use Efficiency in V6 corn can be improved when K and B nutrition is supplied with Aspire compared to MOP, as demonstrated by N uptake and plant dry matter production.
