Are you providing corn and other crops the nutrients they need from the beginning to start off healthy and ultimately produce better yields? With the growing importance of nutrient availability, making sure nutrients are accessible as early as possible is something farmers can prioritize by using starter fertilizers and in-furrow application methods.

In-furrow, starter fertilizer applications allow essential nutrients, such as phosphorus, to be accessible to the plant from the beginning, say agronomists at West Central Distribution. By applying starter fertilizer directly in the furrow during planting, the seed can begin absorbing essential nutrients earlier and have better opportunities to maintain its maximum yield potential. In-furrow applications also promote fast and even emergence.

In deciding whether to use a starter fertilizer, consider a few situations where using starter fertilizer has led to yield increases:

A few cautions
Applying fertilizer in-furrow isn’t the only factor you should consider to maximize yield and plant health, agronomists note. Choice of starter fertilizer plays a large role in supporting the crop.

Make sure the starter fertilizer is appropriate for the crop and is applied in proper amounts, so the seed is protected from potential injury. Seedling burn can be a concern when it comes to using starter fertilizer. Ensuring that the fertilizer is safe for the seed is critical to the growth and development of the young plant.

Another concern with using starter fertilizers is locally high concentrations of certain nutrients, such as phosphorus. Banded starter fertilizers can cause key nutrients to become increasingly tied up in the soil, making them unavailable to the seed and seedling the longer they remain in contact with soil.

That’s why West Central developed their ortho-ortho chelating agent Levesol fertilizer products. Levesol contains a pure chelating agent that makes micronutrients, both in the soil and in fertilizer, soluble for uptake by the plant. After uptake, the chelating agent increases translocation within the plant. By keeping micronutrients in a soluble form, they are prevented from binding with phosphorus. This leaves more phosphorus free for uptake and increases overall nutrient efficiency of the other essential nutrients.

Purpose of starter fertilizers
Consider using starter fertilizers as insurance to get your plants off to their best start in case conditions change after you’ve planted. Starter fertilizers will make nutrients more available and easily accessible to developing seedlings to facilitate a strong start during a relatively stressful time for the plant. Growers can make sure corn and other crops can safely and efficiently access the nutrients in the soil and in the fertilizer tank mix to begin growing with the best possible start.

Getting seedlings off to their best start helps maximize your chances of higher yields. And by using an in-furrow application method, less fertilizer is applied per acre compared to standard fertilizer programs, providing benefits to the environment, as well as increases to the producer’s bottom line.

For more information on how you can use in-furrow starter fertilizer applications and Levesol, visit inthefurrow.com.

Source: West Central Distribution, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.