Deep Placement Nutrients in Minimum Tillage Systems

Published Feb 16, 1997

In a Nutshell

Enhancements of early growth can be achieved by banding P fertilizer with planters or deep-banders but will seldom increase yields compared with broadcast fertilization. The deep banding of K, however, will seldom increase early growth but will often increase grain yields. Broadcasting K or banding it with the planter often (but not always) is inefficient for no-till corn. Similarly, broadcast K for ridge-till corn often (but not always) is an inefficient practice. Although the K placements did not differ statistically over all ridge-till sites, the deep-band placement produced on average 6 more bu/acre than the broadcast. Contrary to expectations, responses to deep-banded K (both ridge-till and no-till) were poorly related to soil-test K or stratification. Planting on the fall-applied coulter-knifeonly track often increased early growth of no-till corn but did not increase early growth of ridge-till corn. Soil sampling depth, soil-test interpretations, and fertilizer recommendations for P based on chisel-plow tillage also apply for no-till and ridge-till system. In ridge-till, soil sampling of ridges seems more appropriate.