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Weigh Your Options When Sidedressing Nitrogen
JOE BUNCK
LUBBOCK, TEXAS
Each year, farmers need to make important decisions about nitrogen fertilization: the right source, right rate, right time and right placement. Sidedressing nitrogen better meets the needs of growing corn compared to single nitrogen applications and can help reduce input costs.
Sidedressing provides some flexibility for the farmer, allowing an early evaluation of yield potential so nitrogen rates can be adjusted with sidedress applications. If the stand is good, and biotech traits and fungicides are being used to protect yield potential, nitrogen rates can be increased. Conversely, with poor stands, nitrogen rates can be reduced.
The FieldView™ nitrogen management tool continues to adjust the status model throughout the growing season to help farmers manage nitrogen as environmental conditions change. This provides real-time insights to help farmers make informed decisions. FieldView™ nitrogen management helps farmers with operation decisions, especially those that depend on unpredictable variables like weather conditions during the growing season. Check out Climate.com to learn more about the FieldView™ nitrogen management tool.
Following are some early season scenarios for which sidedressed nitrogen might be beneficial:
Seedling Stage: Split applications of sidedressed nitrogen may be used to help prolong nitrogen availability to corn and can reduce the likelihood of substantial nitrogen loss before crop uptake.1 A small portion of nitrogen can be applied after the corn plant emerges, ensuring nitrogen availability during key early growth stages.
V3-V5 Stage: If nitrogen was not applied at or before planting, sidedress applications should be made early, by the V3 growth stage, to meet the needs of developing seedlings. At the V3 stage, seedlings have depleted nutrients stored in the seed and become dependent on soil-supplied nutrients.
V5-V9 Stage: The majority of nitrogen should be applied just before the rapid vegetative growth stage, V7-V9, begins. When calculating the need to supplement early-season nitrogen applications, remember that adequate nitrogen up to V8 is critical, as potential ears and ear girth are being determined. Sidedressing is agronomically efficient up to the V8 growth stage through silking, depending on weather conditions.
Every growing season is different and has a significant impact on the performance of farm inputs and nitrogen applications. Visit Channel.com/AgronomyLibrary or contact your local Channel Seedsman for more information about nitrogen management. ∆
JOE BUNCK: Channel Agronomist
Source:
1 Larson, E., Oldham, L., and Golden, B. 2014. Tips to improve nitrogen response for Mid-south corn. Mississippi State University Extension, www.mississippi-crops.com
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