OVERVIEW
MOP is commonly used as a potassium (K) source in soybean production.
Micronutrients such as B are essential for plant growth and are often overlooked for balanced crop nutrition.
Granular B products can be blended with K, but application of these blends leads to undesirable distribution.
Aspire® is the first-of-its-kind micronutrientenhanced potash fertilizer. Formed using Nutriform® technology, Aspire® combines K and B in each granule to help achieve uniform nutrient distribution
TRIAL DETAILS
Locations and Crop Management: Corn (Zea mays)
Crop: Soybean (Glycine max)
Years: 2013-2015
Locations: 31 trials across the United States – AL,AR, GA, IA, IL, MN, MO, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, WI
Data Source: Field studies conducted by third-party, independent researchers.
Experimental Design: Small-plot RCBD with 4 replications.
Cropping Conditions:
N Rate: Recommended nitrogen (N) was balanced for fall and spring treatments separately.
P Rate: As required by soil test
K Rate: 60 lbs K₂O/ac
B Rate: 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 lbs B/ac
Application Timing and Method: Preplant broadcast
Results
SUMMARY
Aspire® increased yield by 1.3 bu/ac (2.3%) over MOP.
A preplant application of Aspire® at 0.5 lbs B/ac outyielded the MOP + B blend applied at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 lbs B/ac.
Increasing the rate of granular B applied increased toxicity symptoms and decreased plant stands, which resulted in lower yields.
The higher yield with Aspire® compared to MOP + granular B demonstrates the advantages of uniform nutrient distribution with a micronutrient-enhanced potash fertilizer.
