Maximizing Phosphate Efficiency
The Role of Phosphorus
Dr. Wilcox of Purdue University reported that 5 lbs/A of Phosphorus banded with the seed was equivalent to 20 lbs/A of Phosphorus two inches under the seed.
"The closer the starter is to the seed, the better the response is”
“However, a higher starter rate won’t compensate for the fertilizer being farther from the seed.”
The plots raise the question, if closer is better, why not put the starter in the furrow with the seed?
DURUM DEMONSTRATION PLOT
Waverley Farms - Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan
RESEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
Study 1
12 lbs P2O5 seed-placed outyielded 60 lbs P2O5 banded
Study 2
ALPINE used on low P soils (8 - 18 lbs available)
No further response to the addition of phosphorus at 23, 46, 92, 184 lbs/acre broadcast
PHOSPHATE CRITICAL STAGE
Corn – 5 leaf stage – ear initiation Stage
Cereals
– Can take up all the needed P in the first 4 weeks of growth (FARM FACTS)
- early root development critical to maximizing yields.
Importance of Early Season Phosphorous Nutrition
Cynthia Grant-Brandon Research Centre
-Withholding “P” during the early stages of crop growth limit crop production
-Critical “P” supply - tiller production barley – first 4-6 weeks of growth
-Important to manage “P” - ensure early season access by the crop
-Optimal method - supplying “P” early - near/with seed
Liquid Advantages as stated in Bertrand/Holloway Research-Australia
The differences between the efficiency of fluid vs. granular fertilizers were significant -especially in clay soils
Fluid fertilizers increased by 42% the amount of available “P” in the soil compared to granular applications
Fluids are at least 20% more efficient than granular
Plants absorb P as Orthophosphate ions H2P04- and HP042-
Polyphosphates are a chain link molecule of orthos and are not available to the plant until conversion.
Source; Farm Facts –Phosphorous fertilization in crop production and TVA.
Polyphosphate Production
Super Phosphoric Acid (SPA) combined with NH3
Processed through a Pipe Reactor = 10-34-0 or 11-37-0
Chain Link Molecule of Orthophosphate
Unavailable to the plant in that form
Must convert to orthophosphate
Time and Temperature
- Critical in early growth
- Early root development
- Early plant growth
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
- Energy storage and transfer
- Others
PLACEMENT OF PHOSPHATE
Purdue University ResearchDr. Wilcox of Purdue University reported that 5 lbs/A of Phosphorus banded with the seed was equivalent to 20 lbs/A of Phosphorus two inches under the seed.
"The closer the starter is to the seed, the better the response is”
“However, a higher starter rate won’t compensate for the fertilizer being farther from the seed.”
The plots raise the question, if closer is better, why not put the starter in the furrow with the seed?
DURUM DEMONSTRATION PLOT
Waverley Farms - Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan
| TREATMENT | MOISTURE | BU / ACRE |
| Alpine 6-22-4 @ 3 gals + 22lbs Banded dry Phospate |
12.3 % | 59.7 Bu |
| Alpine 6-22-4 @ 5 gals | 12.5 % | 58.9 Bu |
| Alpine 6-22-4 @ 3 gals | 12.4 % | 58.5 Bu |
| 22 lbs Banded Dry Phosphate | 12.4 % | 55.7 Bu |
| No Starter | 12.4 % | 48.1 Bu |
RESEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
Study 1
12 lbs P2O5 seed-placed outyielded 60 lbs P2O5 banded
Study 2
ALPINE used on low P soils (8 - 18 lbs available)
No further response to the addition of phosphorus at 23, 46, 92, 184 lbs/acre broadcast
PHOSPHATE CRITICAL STAGE
Corn – 5 leaf stage – ear initiation Stage
Cereals
– Can take up all the needed P in the first 4 weeks of growth (FARM FACTS)
- early root development critical to maximizing yields.
Importance of Early Season Phosphorous Nutrition
Cynthia Grant-Brandon Research Centre
-Withholding “P” during the early stages of crop growth limit crop production
-Critical “P” supply - tiller production barley – first 4-6 weeks of growth
-Important to manage “P” - ensure early season access by the crop
-Optimal method - supplying “P” early - near/with seed
LIQUID vs. DRY
“Dry Phosphorus fertilizer is generally quite inefficient in terms of actual fertilizer phosphorus that gets into the plant. Various experiments indicate perhaps 5 to 8% is about all we expect with 30% being quite high. It will be more often below 10%.” Source: The Cooperative Extension, University of NebraskaLiquid Advantages as stated in Bertrand/Holloway Research-Australia
The differences between the efficiency of fluid vs. granular fertilizers were significant -especially in clay soils
Fluid fertilizers increased by 42% the amount of available “P” in the soil compared to granular applications
Fluids are at least 20% more efficient than granular
POLYPHOSPHATE vs. ORTHOPHOSPHATE
Plant uptake of PhosphatePlants absorb P as Orthophosphate ions H2P04- and HP042-
Polyphosphates are a chain link molecule of orthos and are not available to the plant until conversion.
Source; Farm Facts –Phosphorous fertilization in crop production and TVA.
Polyphosphate Production
Super Phosphoric Acid (SPA) combined with NH3
Processed through a Pipe Reactor = 10-34-0 or 11-37-0
Chain Link Molecule of Orthophosphate
Unavailable to the plant in that form
Must convert to orthophosphate
Time and Temperature
ALPINE
- CLEAR LIQUID
- NEUTRAL pH
- EASY TO HANDLE
- MICRO PACKAGE
- HIGH ORTHOPHOSPHATE CONTENT