Wheat and Corn Emergence Inhibition from Surface-Banded Solution Nitrogen Fertilizer
1990
Kitchen, N. R. | Westfall, D. G.
Crop seedling emergence can be inhibited when fertilizer material is placed near the seed. This growth chamber study was conducted to determine the effect of solution N dribbled on the soil surface over the seed row on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) emergence. Emergence was evaluated for three soils having 10, 20, and 30% clay content. Nitrogen (as 32-0-0, N-P-K, urea ammonium nitrate solution) at 40,80,120, and 160 lb N/acre for wheat, and 0,40,80, and 120 lb N/acre for corn (based on 12- and 30-in. row spacings for wheat and corn, respectively) was dribbled on the soil surface directly over the seed row. The soils were then sprinkler-irrigated with 0.2,0.4, and 0.6 in. of water for wheat, and 0.3, 0.7, and 1.0 in. of water for corn. Seedling emergence, observed 20 d after planting, decreased in both crops with increasing N rate. Little or no corn emergence was observed in the two coarser textured soils treated with 120 lb N/acre and 0.7-in. irrigation. With less water applied, the majority of the fertilizer remained above the seed and, therefore, affected germination less. Emergence also improved with more than 0.7 in. of water as the additional water either diluted the fertilizer or moved it below the seed. A maximum reduction in wheat emergence of 80% was observed in the soil with 10% clay when 160 lb N/acre and 0.6 in. of water were applied. Soil clay acted as a buffer and reduced the negative effects of the fertilizer. When using this method of fertilizer N application, maximum rates vary with soil texture but should not exceed 70 to 80 lb/acre and 20 to 50 lb/acre for narrow (12 in.) and wide (30 in.) spaced rows, respectively.
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