Fertilizer

Starter fertilizer rates and placement for corn

Many producers in Kansas could benefit by using starter fertilizer when planting corn. Starter fertilizer is simply the placement of some fertilizer, usually nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), near the seed--which "jump starts" growth in the spring. It is not unusual for a producer to see an early season growth response to starter fertilizer application. But whether that increase in early growth translates to an economic yield response is not a sure thing in Kansas. How the crop responds to starter fertilizer depends on soil fertility levels, tillage system, soil temperature, and N placement method. Phosphorus source is not an important factor.

Soil fertility levels

The lower the fertility level, the greater the chance of an economic response to starter fertilizers. A routine soil test will reveal available P and potassium (K) levels. If soils test low or very low in P, below 20 ppm, there is a very good chance that producers will obtain an economic yield response to applying a starter fertilizer containing P, even in some low-yield environments. If the soil test shows a medium level of P, 20-30 ppm, it's still possible to obtain a yield response to P fertilizer. But the yield response will not occur as frequently, and may not be large enough to cover the full cost of the practice. If the soil test is high, above 30 ppm, economic responses to starter P fertilizers are rare. The chances of an economic return at high P soil test levels are greatest when planting corn early in cold, wet soils. In general, the same principles apply with K. If soil tests are low, below 130 ppm, the chances of a response to K in starter are good. The lower the soil test level, the greater the odds of a response.


All of the recommended P and/or K does not need to be applied as starter. If the soil test recommendation calls for high rates of P and K in order to build up or maintain soil test levels, producers will often get better results by splitting the application between a starter and a pre-plant broadcast application. As a general rule, starter fertilizer should be limited to the first 20-30 pounds of P or K per acre, with the balance being broadcast for best responses.

Phosphorus source

Does the type of phosphorus used as a starter make any difference? In particular, what about the ratio of orthophosphate to polyphosphate in the fertilizer product? This has been a concern for many producers.


Liquid 10-34-0 is composed of a mixture of ammonium polyphosphates and ammonium orthophosphates. The dissolved ammonium orthophosphate molecules are identical to those found in dry MAP (e.g. 11-52-0) and/or DAP (e.g. 18-46-0). Ammonium polyphosphates are simply chains of
orthophosphate molecules, formed by removing a molecule of water, and are quickly converted by soil enzymes back to individual orthophosphates identical to those provided by MAP and/or DAP.


Polyphosphates were not developed by the fluid fertilizer industry because of agronomic performance issues. Instead, polyphosphates were developed to improve the storage characteristics of fluid phosphate products (and other fertilizers made from them) and to increase the analysis of liquid phosphate fertilizers. Ammonium polyphosphate is equal in agronomic performance to ammonium orthophosphates when applied at the same P2O5 rates in a similar manner. And liquid phosphate products are equal in agronomic performance to dry phosphate products if applied at equal P2O5 rates in a similar manner. When polyphosphate is added to soil, a process called hydrolysis breaks down the polyphosphate chains into orthophosphates. The concern of many people is the length of time it takes for this process to occur. Previous studies indicate that although it may take a few days to complete the hydrolysis process, the majority is completed in 48 hours. As a result, phosphorus in soil solution will typically be similar from either source shortly after
application.

Tillage system

No-till corn will almost always respond to a starter fertilizer that includes N – along with other needed nutrients – regardless of soil fertility levels or yield environment. This is especially so when pre-plant N is applied as deep-banded anhydrous ammonia or UAN, or where most of the N is sidedressed in-season. That's because no-till soils are almost always colder and wetter at corn planting time than soils that have been tilled, and N mineralization from organic matter tends to be slower at the start of the season in no-till environments.


In general, no-till corn is less likely to respond to an N starter if more than 50 pounds of N was broadcast prior to or shortly after planting.


In reduced-till systems, the situation becomes less clear. The planting/germination zone in strip-till or ridge-till corn is typically not as cold and wet as no-till, despite the high levels of crop residue between rows. Still, N and P starter fertilizer is often beneficial for corn planted in reduced-till conditions, especially where soil test levels are very low, or low, and where the yield environment is high. As with no-till, reduced-till corn is also less likely to respond to an N starter if more than 50 pounds of N was broadcast prior to or shortly after planting.


Conventional- or clean-tilled corn is unlikely to give an economic response to an N and P starter unless the P soil test is low.

Starter fertilization placement

Producers should be very cautious about applying starter fertilizer that includes N and/or K, or some micronutrients such as boron, in direct seed contact. It is best to have some soil separation between the starter fertilizer and the seed. The safest placement methods for starter fertilizer are either:
-- A subsurface-band application 2 to 3 inches to the side and 2 to 3 inches below the seed, or
-- A surface dribble-band application 2 to 3 inches to the side of the seed row at planting time, especially in conventional tillage or where farmers are using row cleaners or trash movers in no-till.


If producers apply starter fertilizer with the corn seed, they run an increased risk of seed injury when applying more than 6 to 8 pounds per acre of N and K combined in direct seed contact on a 30-inch row spacing. Nitrogen and K fertilizer can result in salt injury at high application rates if seed is in
contact with the fertilizer. Furthermore, if the N source is urea or UAN, in-furrow application is not recommended regardless of fertilizer rate. Urea converts to ammonia, which is very toxic to seedlings and can significantly reduce final stands.


Work several years ago at the North Central Kansas Irrigation Experiment Field near Scandia illustrates some of these points (Table 1). In this research, former Agronomist-In-Charge Barney Gordon compared in-furrow, 2x2, and surface band placement of different starter fertilizer rates in a multi-year study on irrigated corn. Excellent responses from up to 30 pounds of N combined with 15 pounds of P were obtained with the both the 2x2 and surface-band placement. In-furrow placement however, was not nearly as effective. This was due to stand reduction from salt injury to the germinating seedlings, likely due to the high application rate of N plus K in furrow, indicating the importance of monitoring the N+K rates for in furrow application. Where no starter, or the 2x2 and surface band placement, was used, final stands were approximately 30-31,000 plants per acre. However, with the 5-15-5 in furrow treatment, the final stand was approximately 25,000. The final stand was just over 20,000 with the in-furrow 60-15-5 treatment.

effect of starter fertilizer placement on corn table

-Dorivar Ruiz-Diaz, K-State Nutrient Management Specialist

-Dave Mengel, K-State Soil Fertility Specialist

Starter Fertilizer Placement for Corn

Producers should be very cautious about applying starter fertilizer that includes N and/or K, or some micronutrients such as boron, in direct seed contact. It is best to have some soil separation between the starter fertilizer and the seed. The safest placement methods for starter fertilizer are either:

  • A subsurface-band application 2 to 3" to the side and 2 to 3" below the seed, or
  • A surface-band application 2 to 3" to the side of the seed row at planting time, especially in conventional tillage or where using row cleaners in no-till.

If producers apply starter fertilizer with the corn seed, they run an increased risk of seed injury when applying more than 6 to 8 lbs per acre of N and K combined in direct seed contact on a 30-inch row spacing. Nitrogen and K fertilizer can result in salt injury at high application rates if seed is in contact with the fertilizer. Furthermore, if the N source is urea or UAN, in-furrow application is not recommended regardless of fertilizer rate. Urea converts to ammonia, which is toxic to seedlings and can significantly reduce final stands.

Work several years ago at the North Central Kansas Irrigation Experiment Field near Scandia illustrates some of these points. This research compared in-furrow, 2x2, and surface band placement of different starter fertilizer rates in a multi-year study on irrigated corn. Excellent responses from up to 30 lbs of N combined with 15 lbs of P were obtained with the both the 2x2 and surface-band placement. In-furrow placement however, was not nearly as effective. This was due to stand reduction from salt injury to the germinating seedlings, likely due to the high application rate of N plus K in furrow, indicating the importance of monitoring the N+K rates for in furrow application. Where no starter, or the 2x2 and surface band placement, was used, final stands were approximately 30-31,000 plants per acre. However, with the 5-15-5 in furrow treatment, the final stand was approximately 25,000. The final stand was just over 20,000 with the in-furrow 60-15-5 treatment.

Effect of Starter Fertilizer Placement on Corn Yield
Yield (bu/acre)
Fertilizer lbs. In-Furrow 2x2 Band SurfaceBand
Check: 159bu -- -- --
5-15-5 172 194 190
15-15-5 177 197 198
30-15-5 174 216 212
45-15-5 171 215 213
60-15-5 163 214 213
Average 171 207 205

How much fertilizer can safely be placed with seed?
All fertilizers are salts and can cause germination problems if too much is placed with the seed. Too much fertilizer may inhibit germination completely, which results in a loss of stand. In other instances, too much fertilizer placed with the seed may simply delay germination, or it may result in weak seedlings with poorly developed root systems. In either case, the affected seedlings will be at a competitive disadvantage and a loss of yield potential may result.

Several points should be kept in mind when evaluating seed-placed fertilizer.
- The narrower the row spacing, the higher the nutrient rates per acre that may be safely used with the seed.
- The potential for injury from seed-applied fertilizer is greater for sandy and/or dry soils.
- Certain types of fertilizers should never be applied with the seed, even at low rates. No urea-containing fertilizer (urea, UAN solution) should be placed in direct seed contact. The hydrolysis of urea to ammonia can result in ammonia toxicity to seedlings.
- Reduce rates 25-30 percent for grain sorghum. We suggest no seed placed fertilizer for soybeans, sunflowers, or dry beans.

Maximum Amount of Fertilizer in Direct Contact with Corn and Wheat*

Row Spacing Medium-Fine Sandy or Dry
Textured Soil Soil
(in.) Pounds of N+K20 per Acre
40 6 4
30 8 6
20 12 8
15 16 11
12 20 14
10 24 17
6 to 8 30 21

The amount of fertilizer N plus K2O applied in direct seed contact should not exceed the values presented in the above table. These guidelines are relatively conservative. Some producers have gotten by with using higher rates at times. However, rates higher than those in this table have real potential for causing germination problems in some years.

It does not matter which phosphate source is utilized – germination damage may result if too much conventional fertilizer (11-52-0 or 10-34-0) is applied in direct seed contact. Likewise, germination damage may also result if "premium" or "orthophosphate" liquid phosphate products (9-18-9 or
6-18-18) are used.