Phosphorus (P) fertilizer is often added to cropping systems to increase yield, but growers should not overlook the importance of micronutrients like Zinc (Zn). Understanding some of the nutrient interactions that affect nutrient availability can help with management decisions like fertilizer source.
Are you seed-placing your phosphorus (P) and basing application rates on seed safety rather than crop requirements? You may be leaving yield on the table. Recent research out of the University of Manitoba examining seed-safe rates of P and sulfur (S) in canola is showing that P applied at rates based on seed safety may not be adequate to maximize canola yields.
Evaluate the yield response and phosphorus uptake of MicroEssentials® SZ®
Phosphorus is one of the three macronutrients essential for plant growth. It is required for the photosynthesis process, converting the sun's energy into food for the plant. It is also required for strong root development. A plant must be able to access phosphorus to ensure a healthy growing cycle.
There’s certainly a value to working proactively to avoid stresses before they’re apparent, especially when it comes to soil fertility. Perhaps, as you make plans for the 2014 season, it’s time to take into account your experience from past seasons to create a crop nutrition plan that can tackle fertility issues before they make their yield-robbing presence apparent.
Raising a productive crop depends greatly on the nutrients a plant is able to access during its life cycle. Many factors influence the availability of those nutrients, including soil pH. For instance, as soil pH increases, the availability of phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) decreases. Although variety selection can help manage iron deficiency in soybeans, fertilizer application is still needed to address the P and Zn deficiencies prevalent in high-pH soils.
Australian researchers recently studied the reaction of both liquid and granular phosphorus (P) fertilizers in soil that was either dry or wet (at field capacity). They measured the movement of P from the application site as well as the amount of P that was in available and non-available forms.
Quantify the increase of phosphorus (P) uptake with MicroEssentials® S10® (12-40-0-10S) applied to corn compared to DAP (18-46-0) and DAP-based blends that supply the same rate of nitrogen (N), P and sulfur (S).
A recent study of phosphorus (P) reaction to dry and wet soils offers insight about the fate and availability of phosphorus fertilizer when applied to dry soils.
Applying aluminum sulfate (alum) to manure in poultry houses has been shown to reduce ammonia emissions from the litter.
Justus von Liebig, a 19th century German chemist, made great contributions to the science of plant nutrition and soil fertility. While Carl Sprengel, a German botanist, formulated the “theory of minimum,” Liebig investigated and popularized the scientific concept we know today as “Liebig’s Law of the Minimum.” This concept demonstrates that plant growth is not controlled by the total amount of available resources but by the scarcest.
A recent study of phosphorus (P) reaction to dry and wet soils offers insight about the fate and availability of phosphorus fertilizer when applied to dry soils¹.