February 2014
Corn

MicroEssentials® SZ® Corn Zinc Rate Study

Objective

Evaluate the yield response of MicroEssentials® SZ® (12-40-0- 10S-1Zn) compared to a MAP (11-52-0) + AS (21-0-0-24S) + ZnSO4 (0-0-0-16.5S-36Zn) blend at varying Zn rates.

OVERVIEW

  • MAP + AS + ZnSO₄ is often used as a fertilizer blend applied to corn.

  • Nutrient recommendations often call for high rates of Zn due to uneven distribution and lack of crop uptake from a traditional blend.

  • MicroEssentials® SZ® contains four nutrients fused into one nutritionally balanced granule, promoting uniform nutrient distribution, improved nutrient uptake and increased yield.

TRIAL DETAILS

Crop: Corn (Zea mays)

Year: 2010-2012

Locations: 11 locations across the U.S. (IN, LA, MN, NE, OH, SC, SD, WI)

Cropping Conditions: Trials conformed to local cropping practices.
N, P and S rates were balanced across treatments (80 lbs P₂O₅/ac, 20 lbs S/ac).

Treatments: MAP + AS + ZnSO₄: 0, 2, 4, 6, and 10 lbs Zn/ac:
MicroEssentials® SZ®: 2 lbs Zn/ac (200 lbs MicroEssentials® SZ®/ac)

Application Timing: Preplant

Application Method: Broadcast

RESULTS

Corn Yield at Varying Zinc Rates
SZCornZincRate

Zinc deficiency symptoms on Check (left) and 6 lbs Zn/ac as a blend (middle) and finally the lack of symptoms for MicroEssentials® SZ® at 2 lbs Zn/ac (right).

SUMMARY

  • With a MAP + AS + ZnSO₄ blend, corn yields increased with increasing rates of Zn.

  • MicroEssentials® SZ® applied at 2 lbs Zn/ac produced the highest corn yield (186.2 bu/ac), which was statistically higher than 2, 4 and 6 lbs Zn/ac applied as a MAP blend.

  • MicroEssentials® SZ® is at least 3X more efficient as a Zn source than a conventional MAP + AS + ZnSO₄ blend.

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Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible.