Overview
• Fertilizer was applied in the fall, and then soil tests were taken preplant (~6 months after fertilizer application) and postharvest (~12 months after fertilizer application) in the center of each plot at four different depth ranges to understand the movement, availability, and uptake of B that was supplied from different fertilizer sources.
• Using Mosaic’s patented Nutriform Technology, Aspire combines two forms of B (sodium borate and calcium borate) with potassium in each granule of fertilizer.
• This ensures that each plant receives balanced, season-long nutrition for maximum yield potential.
Trial Details
CROP: Corn (Zea mays)
YEARS: 2020-2023
LOCATION: Crop Physiology Lab, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL.
TRIAL LEADS: Dr. Marcos Loman, Dr. Connor Sible, Dr. Fred Below
TRIAL LAYOUT: All treatments were replicated six times in a randomized complete block design and conducted annually for four years.
SOIL SAMPLES: Soil samples were collected preplant and post-harvest from depths of 0-6”, 6-12”, 12-24”, and 24-36”. Soil samples are reported as a 0-12” or a 0-36” weighted average.
CROPPING CONDITIONS: All trials conformed to local cropping practices.
K Rate: 60 lbs K2O/ac.
B Rate: 0.52 lbs B/ac applied as Aspire or 10% liquid B.
Application Method: Applications were broadcast- applied in the fall following tilling with a chisel plow and after application, were incorporated with a harrow and a two-pass spring cultivation with a soil finisher.
Summary
• Soil tests showed B levels increased an additional 18% in the top 12”, and an additional 15% in the 0-36” sample with Aspire compared to the MOP+ boric acid application (both in the preplant and postharvest samples).
• These results translated to a 4 bu/ac Aspire yield advantage over MOP + B over the 4-year trial period.
• This study demonstrates the advantage of the season-long B availability delivered by the Nutriform technology in Aspire.
