fertilizing corn (and cotton) with n-p-k by yield goal glen ......fertilizing corn (n-p-k) by yield...

Fertilizing Corn (and Cotton) with N-P-K By Yield Goal

Glen Harris

University of Georgia

Glendon Hamilton Harris, Jr.

• Egg Harbor City, NJ

• BS – Penn State (1985)

• MS – Michigan State(1988)

• PhD – Michigan State (1993)

• Farm Background – Vegetables & Cut Flowers (NJ) and Alfalfa, Corn & Soybeans (PA)

• UGA Extension Agronomist – Soils & Fertilizer

• Since March 1994 @ UGA Tifton Campus

• Hobbies/Interests – Gardening, Reading, Music

Soil Regions of the United States

Soil Regions of Georgia

Georgia Soils

• In General

• Ultisols

• Highly Weathered

• Poorly Buffered

• Acidic (Low pH)

• Low Fertility

• Low Organic Matter

How Much Fertilizer Do I Need for 300 Bushel Corn ?

Soil Test Handbook of Georgia (aesl.ces.uga.edu)

Base (Irrigated) Yield Goal = 150 bu/a

For every 10 bushel increase add 12-6-10 (lbs N-P2O5-K2O/a)

150 200 250 300

Low/Low 180-110-130 240-140-180 300-170-230 360-200-280

Med/Med 180-90-90 240-120-140 300-150-190 360-180-240

High/High 180-70-70 240-100-120 300-130-170 360-160-220

4Rs = Rate, Timing, Source and Placement

Soil Test P/K

Yield Goal (bu/a)Mehlich 1

Bowen Farm in Tifton : 2013-2017

Flatwood Soil (Leefield)

Irrigated

Corn-Peanut-Tobacco

High Yield Corn Study - 2016

Starter Only 46 - 41 - 0

150 150- 90- 80

200 210-120-130

250 270-150-180

300 330-180-230

500 570-300-430

lbs N-P2O5-K2OYield Goal (bu/a)

M17-01: Bowen Farm Corn High Yield Study 2017 (Pivot A)

M17-02

3

19

4

20

6

21

2

22

1

23

5

24

7' Alley

2

13

1

14

4

15

5

16

6

17

3

18

7' Alley

6

7

3

8

5

9

1

10

2

11

4

12

7' Alley

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

6

Treatment Key:

1 Starter Only 10gal each 10-34-0 and 28-0-0-5(S) (gave 46-41-0 at planting)

2 150bu/a yield goal (22oz 5-10-15/row middle + 3.3oz 0-0-60/row middle)

3 200bu/a yield goal (22oz 5-10-15/row middle + 7oz 0-0-60/row middle)



6 500bu/a yield goal (22oz 5-10-15/r.m. + 29oz 0-0-60/r.m. + 10.6 oz 10-50-0/r.m.)

Sidedress Rates: ALL with 28-0-0-5(S)

1 None

2 3.4oz/row twice

3 5.9oz/row twice

4 8.5oz/row twice

5 11.1oz/row twice

6 21.4oz/row twice

Important Events:

64

157

222

254270

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Sonly 150 200 250 300

High Yield Corn – 2013

(Pioneer 2023 35,000 pop. planted 3/20)Bu/a

150

178

201 196

212

0

50

100

150

200

250

150 200 250 300 350

High Yield Corn – 2014 Bowen Farm

(Dekalb66-97 35,000 pop. planted 3/28)Bu/a

c

bc

ab ab

a

Fertilizing Corn (N-P-K) By Yield Goal

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Start 150 200 250 300

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Yield Goal (bu/a)

Actual Yield (bu/a)


0

50

100

150

200

250

Start 150 200 250 300

AVG

AVG

Yield Goal (bu/a)

Actual Yield (bu/a)


0

50

100

150

200

250

Start 150 200 250 300

AVG

AVG

Yield Goal (bu/a)

Actual Yield (bu/a)

(2013-2017)5-Year

106 bu

44 bu

21 bu4 bu


0

50

100

150

200

250

Start 150 200 250 300

AVG

AVG

Yield Goal (bu/a)

Actual Yield (bu/a)

(2013-2017)5-Year

106 bu

$424

44 bu

$176

21 bu

$84

4 bu

$16

If Corn prices are $4/bushel


0

50

100

150

200

250

Start 150 200 250 300

AVG

AVG

Yield Goal (bu/a)

Actual Yield (bu/a)

(2013-2017)5-Year

106 bu

$424

104-49-80

44 bu

$176

60-30-50

21 bu

$84

60-30-50

4 bu

$16

60-30-50


0

50

100

150

200

250

Start 150 200 250 300

AVG

AVG

Yield Goal (bu/a)

Actual Yield (bu/a)

(2013-2017)5-Year

106 bu

$424

104-49-80

$85

44 bu

$176

60-30-50

$50

21 bu

$84

60-30-50

$50

4 bu

$16

60-30-50

$50


And Using 2017 Fertilizer Prices


0

50

100

150

200

250

Start 150 200 250 300

AVG

AVG

Yield Goal (bu/a)

Actual Yield (bu/a)

(2013-2017)5-Year

106 bu

$424

104-49-80

$85

+$339

44 bu

$176

60-30-50

$50

+$126

21 bu

$84

60-30-50

$50

+$34

4 bu

$16

60-30-50

$50

-$34


And Using 2017 Fertilizer Prices

Pivot A Flight 5

09 June 2017

“NDRE”

(Normalized Difference Red Edge)

51

155

196

214226

250

0

50

100

150

200

250

Starter

Only

150 200 250 300 500


Pioneer 1916YHR 35,000 pop. planted 3/14)Bu/a

e

d

cbc

b

a

0.416

0.368

0.308

0.2480.226

0.188

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

Starter

Only

150 200 250 300 500


Tissue Mg (%)

d

bc

cd

ab

dbc

a

abcd

a

dd

(light blue bar = V7, Dark blue bar = Ear leaf)

0.18

0.2

0.18

0.15

0.25

0.21

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0 10 20 30 40 100

Tissue Mg (%) Bowen Magnesium Rate- 2017

Apr 28 and May 30 (Ear leaf)

0.170.16

0.180.17

0.2

0.22

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

Kmag EPS KIES MgNO3 EPSF UTC

Tissue Mg (%) Bowen Magnesium Source- 2017

Apr 28 and May 30 (Ear leaf)


Stalk Nitrate

(ppm)

b b b b

b

aLow = < 450

Optimal = 450-2000

Excessive = > 2000

Corn Population by N-P-K Fert Yield Goal

Bowen Farm 2018

2 Factor Factorial

Planted March 29, Pioneer P1870HR, 10gal 10-34-0+10gal 28, 6 Row Plots

Population – 18,000

26,000

34,000

42,000

N-P-K Yield Goal - 150 bu/a (150-0-110)

200 bu/a (210-0-160)

250 bu/a (270-0-210)

300 bu/a (330-0-260)

Tissue Sampling - May 1 (V6, 12 inches tall) – Whole Plant

May 17 (V10) – Leaf Below Whorl

June 1 (V12 ?) – Leaf Below Whorl

June 11 (Ear Leaf)

pH=6.7 P=137(VH) K=70 (L) Ca=749(M) Mg=59(M) Zn=3(M) Mn=3(L)

154

187196 201

0

50

100

150

200

250

1 2 3 4

Corn Yield (bu/a) Bowen Population (avg over Fert)- 2018

(18) (26) (34) (42)

145

173

204216

0

50

100

150

200

250

1 2 3 4

Corn Yield (bu/a) Bowen N-P-K Fert (avg over Pop)- 2018

(150) (200) (250) (300)

124

149162

181

147

173

211217

156

181

214

233

153

190

231 233

0

50

100

150

200

250

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Corn Yield (bu/a) Bowen Pop x Fert YG- 2018

CV = 6 %

18 26 34 42

4.2 4.1 4.24 3.9 3.9

4.14.3

4 44.1

43.8 3.9

4.1

3.7

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

May 17 (V10) Tissue N (%) Bowen Pop x Fert YG- 2018

NS CV = 6 %

18 26 34 42

Sufficiency Range = 3-5

0.370.39

0.41

0.380.380.37

0.380.360.36

0.380.360.350.36

0.390.380.36

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

May 17 (V10) Tissue P (%) Bowen Pop x Fert YG- 2018

NS CV = 8 %

18 26 34 42

Sufficiency Range = .25-.45

2.72.8

32.9

2.72.8

2.92.8

2.6

2.82.9 2.9

2.6

3.2

2.92.8

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

May 17 (V10) Tissue K (%) Bowen Pop x Fert YG- 2018

NS CV = 11 %

18 26 34 42

Sufficiency Range = 2-2.5

0.175

0.153

0.130.13

0.165

0.1430.145

0.13

0.1730.163

0.143

0.13

0.178

0.1530.148

0.135

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

May 17 (V10) Tissue Mg (%) Bowen Pop x Fert YG- 2018

P=0.0001 CV = 6 %

18 26 34 42


0.4680.468

0.38

0.4080.4330.4230.425

0.39

0.4630.445

0.423

0.375

0.468

0.4380.425

0.395

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

0.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

May 17 (V10) Tissue Ca (%) Bowen Pop x Fert YG- 2018

P= 0.0205 CV = 6 %

18 26 34 42


Fertilizing Cotton with N-P-K by Yield Goal in Georgia

Glen Harris

University of Georgia - Tifton

Prior to 1994, UGA had one N recommendation for one yield goal

60 lb N/a for 750 lb lint/a

RDC Pivot Cotton – 2017

N-P-K Rates by Yield Goal

Yield Goal N-P-K Applied (lb/a)*

750 30-50-80

1000 45-50-90

1250 60-60-90

1500 75-60-100

1750 90-70-110

2000 105-70-120

* Used 5-10-15 as a preplant base for all tretaments

Then adjusted P using 0-46-0 , K using 0-0-60 and N at sidedress with A.N.

Materials & Methods

2017 and 2018

5 Locations : 1) RDC Pivot (Tifton)

2) Sunbelt Expo (Moultrie)

3) Stripling Irrigation Park (Camilla)

4) Lang Farm (Tifton)

5) Attapulgus

All center pivot irrigated and DP 1646

RCBD, 4 Reps, 12 x 30 foot plots, All fertilizer hand applied

6 Yield Goals: “Bale and Half” to “4-Bale”

Standard management including growth regulator

C17-02: RDC Pivot Cotton Yield Goal Study 2017 (Conservation Tillage)

C1

7-0

1

3 B

ord

er R

ow

s

5

67

4

68

3

69

1

70

6

71

2

72

10' Alley

4

61

6

62

2

63

5

64

1

65

3

66

10' Alley

6

55

1

56

4

57

2

58

3

59

5

60

10' Alley

1

49

2

50

3

51

4

52

5

53

6

54

Treatment Key: oz/row middle

Yield Goal 5-10-15 Amidas SD 10-50-0 0-0-60 Total N-P-K

1 750lbs/a 22 0.55 0 0.4 30-50-80

2 1000lbs/a 22 2.2 0 1.1 45-50-90

3 1250lbs/a 22 3.8 0.9 1.1 60-60-90

4 1500lbs/a 22 5.5 0.9 1.8 75-60-100

5 1750lbs/a 22 7.2 1.8 2.6 90-70-110

6 2000lbs/a 22 8.8 1.8 3.3 105-70-120

N-P-K Rates by Yield Goal

Yield Goal N-P-K Applied Increase Cost*

750 30-50-80 ----- ------

1000 45-50-90 15-0-10 $ 9.10

1250 60-60-90 15-10-0 $10.10

1500 75-60-100 15-0-10 $ 9.10

1750 90-70-110 15-10-10 $12.90

2000 105-70-120 15-0-10 $ 9.10

All sites = “Medium” P & K

Used 5-10-15 with minors as a base, then adjusted P with 0-46-0 and K with 0-0-60

N Side dressed with “Amidas” 40-0-0 5.5(S)

* 2017 Fertilizer prices – 42-38-28 (cents/lb N-P2O5-K2O)

Fertilizing Cotton (N-P-K) By Yield Goal - 2017

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000

RDC

Expo

Stripling

Lang

Attapulgus

Yield Goal (lb lint/a)

Actual Yield (lb lint/a) Variety = DP 1646


0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000

5 Loc AVG

5 Loc AVG




0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000

5 Loc AVG

5 Loc AVG



187

$130.90

$9.10

+$121.80

11

$7.70

$10.10

-$2.40

167

$116.90

$9.10

+$107.80

106

$74.20

$12.90

+61.30

-18

-$12.60

$9.10

-$21.70


0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000

RDC

Expo

Stripling

Lang

Attapulgus




0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000

4 Loc Avg

4 Loc Avg




0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000

4 Loc Avg

4 Loc Avg



102

$71.40

$9.10

+$62.30

23

$16.10

$10.10

+$6

65

$45.50

$9.10

+$36.40

82

$57.40

$12.90

+$44.50

38

$26.60

$9.10

+$17.50

Fertilizing Cotton (N-P-K) By Yield Goal – 2017+2018

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000

9 Loc Avg

9 Loc Avg



144

$100.80

$9.10

+91.70

17

$11.90

$10.10

+$1.80

116

$81.20

$9.10

+$72.10

94

$65.80

$12.90

+$52.90

10

$7

$9.10

+2.10

Conclusions

Despite a wide range in overall yields by location,

saw good response to small increases in N-P-K by yield goal

Cant separate out if the yield response was to due to N,P, K

….or what combination

On average, even when higher yield goal was not reached,

there was enough yield increase to cover the cost of more fertilizer

Sometimes it did not pay to shoot for a yield goal over 3-Bale

…but sometimes it did

Not environmentally sensitive? Not huge increases in fertilizer rates

between “half-bale” steps (15-10-10)

fertilizing corn (and cotton) with n-p-k by yield goal glen ......fertilizing corn (n-p-k) by yield...

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