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Broadcast vs. Strip Banding
Increase Yields with More Efficient Use of Your Crop Nutrients
By
Dick Farst
Now
is the time to consider band applying phosphorus (P) and potash (K) where
the equipment is available. During the 1980s research was done across the
U.S. comparing band applied crop nutrients vs. broadcast. With today’s
crop nutrients cost it is time to look at application methods to apply P
and K. The research below shows surface banding is not new and most
definitely pays big dividends.
10-34-0
or complete N-P-K liquid fertilizers (where available) can be applied with
row gators, high cycles or farm sprayers simply by turning the nozzles
sideways creating a band on 20-30" spacing. This can also be
accomplished by using flat disc orifices in place of the nozzles. Ag
Chemical Equipment Co. offers strip nozzles. Your local Quality Co-ops who
have an air spreader can band apply dry N, P and K with their high
flotation equipment.
A
great deal of the research has been conducted with surface applied P and
P&K. Starter fertilizers are the oldest form of banding and have
always proven to be equal or to improve yields over broadcast
applications. Much of the 1980s research proved banding required less
fertilizer per acre than broadcast.
An
example of the research is from the Fluid Digest of LSU’s 1985 to
1988 study on N-P-K placement on cotton: broadcast, 1390#; deep placement
band, 1424#; surface band, 1575#.
When
applied in a band corn, wheat and soybean studies from across the country
show the same benefit. More yield with up to 25% less fertilizer.
•
Purdue’s 18-year study of a surface band vs. broadcast equaled an
11-bushel corn increase using the same rates of P&K. (Dr. Stan
Barber, Purdue University)
Fall
applied P2O5
30#
60#
90#
Broadcast
118
Bu
121
Bu
122 Bu
Surface
Band
128
Bu
132
Bu
133 Bu
•
Nebraska 4-year study improved no-till corn yields with dribble surface
placement (Dr. John Halvin, University of Nebraska Source; Fluid Digest) |
