Wallaces Farmer

Are N management products worth the cost with sidedress application?Are N management products worth the cost with sidedress application?

When do products that keep more nitrogen available for uptake by corn plants show positive return on investment?

June 21, 2016

3 Min Read

Corn growers are searching for ways to become more efficient, and many want to cut costs. But when it comes to nutrient management, the solution may actually be adding products to increase yields. The proof is in the research, says Matt Werner, technical development manager for Verdesian Life Sciences.

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A 2014 paper in the American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences by Dr. Ron Heiniger at North Carolina State University stated that the use of NutriSphere-N Nitrogen Fertilizer Manager as an additive to 30% UAN resulted in increases in corn yields, and that these yield increases were noted at almost every nitrogen application rate at every location in multiple years in a replicated study. In his conclusion, Heiniger said that using NutriSphere-N with fertilizer applications results in more nitrogen reaching the roots’ surface and entering the plant.

Nitrogen stabilizers provide flexibility in application schedules

“I’m seeing more and more growers move their fertilizer application timing from one application at preplant to two or three throughout the season,” says Werner. “It’s a smart move when some estimates show that corn will only use about 20% of its nitrogen before V6 stage of growth. We don’t want to ask nitrogen to stretch too far in the season, so spreading out those applications and protecting them with a nitrogen manager is going to result in the best return on investment for your crop. However, even split applications can be improved.”

According to research at Verdesian Life Sciences on more than 400 trials with various application timings, using NutriSphere-N at $4 corn can result in a return on investment of up to 4.5 to 1. At $3.50 corn, it’s 3.8 to 1, and at $3 corn, 3.1 to 1. That data is on file, notes Werner.

Ensure a longer period of increased N availability for plant uptake

NutriSphere-N keeps nitrogen in the ammonium form longer and keeps it available when the plant needs it most through grain fill, he explains. Because NutriSphere-N protects applied nitrogen and nitrogen converts to higher crop yield potential, it reduces the amount of nitrogen that can be lost to the environment. The ammonium nitrogen is the key to keeping nitrogen in the root zone where plants have accessibility on demand.

With a nitrogen manager like NutriSphere-N, the proof is in the numbers, says Werner. It’s backed by more than 400 field trials with a 90% positive response and proven on 34 million acres. It can result in an average of 10 more bushels per acre and a 3 to 1 return on investment with $3 corn.

Summing up: NutriSphere-N Nitrogen Fertilizer Manager keeps more nitrogen available for plant uptake by slowing the conversion of nitrogen into forms that can be lost through volatilization, leaching and denitrification. “This helps contribute to higher yields and can reduce the amount of N that can wind up in surface or ground water through runoff and leaching,” says Werner. “NutriSphere-N has been successfully used on more than 34 million acres in 40 states.” He says the product: 1) Protects applied nitrogen for a full 10 to 12 months, 2) Provides flexibility in application schedules; 3) Ensures longer period of increased nitrogen availability for plant uptake. For more NutriSphere-N technology information, visit VLSCI.com. Or visit a Growers Solution location near you.

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