PROGRESS REPORT
PROJECT TITLE: Corn Response to Nitrogen and Starter Fertilizer Using a Modified Strip Trial Design
PROJECT NUMBER:4095-13SP
REPORTING PERIOD: 2014
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Daniel Kaiser
ORGANIZATION: University of Minnesota
PHONE NUMBER: 612-624-3482
EMAIL: dekaiser@umn.edu
1.) PROJECT ACTIVITIES COMPLETED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD. (Describe project
progress specific to goals, objectives, and deliverables identified in the project workplan.)
Two nitrogen studies and three starter fertilizer studies were completed in 2014. All data was collected
and analyzed for reporting purposes during early 2015. Results were utilized in several extension
presentations.
2.) IDENTIFY ANY SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS AND RESULTS OF THE PROJECT TO DATE.
2014 provided some interested information on the nitrogen study. Both sites were corn following
soybean. The sensing data showed that major differences in yield due to excessive N loss could not be
detected at the V5 growth stage. More differences could be detected among treatments by V10, but the
V10 growth stage is too late to apply side-dress N. Even with new technology such as UAV’s and multispectral cameras, it is still doubtful as to whether deficiencies can be detected early enough in the growing
season to be useful for fine-tuning nitrogen rates. Another interesting finding occurred at the New
Richland site where the soil was saturated for an extended period in early June. Yellowing caused by
excess water made it difficult to detect differences among the nitrogen rates which were apparent in field
areas not affected by water. It took until the V10 growth stage to be able to differentiate among
treatments in the water saturated area. At the end of the growing season the maximum attainable yield
was less in the saturated but it took the same amount of nitrogen to maximize yield in the saturated versus
non-saturated area. Even though the N loss occurred early it is likely that side-dress N would not have
increased yield in the saturated area of the field.
We collected three additional sites of data for the starter study and have begun to analyze the data across
locations. One goal is to determine the effect of starter fertilizer with and without broadcast P at various
soil test levels. Broadcast P fertilizer increased corn grain yield for soils testing low to medium in soil P.
There was no evidence of a yield increase for soils testing high to very high in soil P. Unlike broadcast P,
starter increased yield regardless of soil test P level. However, there was no response to starter when
broadcast P at a non-limiting rate was applied. Two additional sites will be studied in 2015.
3.) CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED. (Describe any challenges that you encountered related to project
progress specific to goals, objectives, and deliverables identified in the project workplan.)
No challenges were encountered that resulted in a significant change in the plan of work.
4.) FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Describe any budget challenges and provide specific reasons for
deviations from the projected project spending.)
We have been under-budget in areas such as sample analysis. Additional funding was granted from the
Fluid Fertilizer Foundation for the starter fertilizer study. As part of this funding they have been
providing in-kind analysis of soil and plant tissue.
5.) EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITES. (Describe any conferences, workshops, field days,
etc attended, number of contacts at each event, and/or publications developed to disseminate project
results.)
1) Results from the starter study were presented at the Institute for Ag. Professionals Research Updates at
six locations. In total the data were presented to about 350 ag professionals during the meetings
2) Results from the nitrogen study were presented at two conferences, one in Mankato and one in St.
Cloud to a total of around 200 people
3) One crop e-news was authored using starter study data. As of last check, 5/1/15, the article has been
viewed nearly 900 times. The article also led to a radio interview with the Red River Farm Network.
4) A new extension publication was authored Spring 2015 on “Banding Fertilizer with the corn seed”
which utilized data from the starter study
http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/nutrient-management/docs/AGNM-1502-banding-fertilizer-onthe-corn-seed.pdf