Studies on slow-release liquid fertilizers applied at low rates as a foliar application on North Dakota spring wheat/winter wheat

N-Pact® at 5-leaf stage- There were no significant differences within N level for the application of 2-3 g/a N-Pact at the 5-leaf stage. No differences were observed in yield, flag-leaf N or protein.

N-Pact® immediately after flowering- There were significant differences in both yield and protein at lower N rates. Impact on yield was seen in lower N rates. Protein response averaged about 0.1% for the 3 g/a rate applied, which is within the range of expectations based on 28% post-anthesis research recently conducted at Carrington, Minot and Langdon.

Foliar Treatment of Spring Barley with 30-0-0 GP Liquid Fertilizer

This experiment was conducted southeast of Valley City, ND in T139N, R58W, section 12, the NW ¼ of the NE ¼ on Glyndon soils (coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, frigid Aeric calciaquolls). The variety Lacey was seeded May 5. Nitrogen and phosphate were applied at rates to support 80 bu/a malting barley by the cooperator. Bronate Advanced at 0.8 pt/a and Axial at 8.2 oz/a with its adjuvant partner were applied to the crop at the 4-leaf stage.

The experiment was staked out 5/22 when the barley was in the tillering stage at 2.5 leaf.

The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five treatments and four replications. This provided twelve degrees of freedom in the error term of analysis of variance. Individual plots were 8-feet wide and 20-feet long. A 5-foot alleyway was present between blocks. Alleyways and end turnways were mowed following pollination to minimize end effects. Treatments were as follows. All treatments consisted of broadcast sprays of 2 gallon/a GP 30-0-0 mixed with 8 gallon/a water for a total application rate of 10 gallon/a.

1. Check (no post-treatment)

2. Tillering stage (2.5-leaf)

3. Early joint (1st joint)

4. Early boot

5. Flowering

The 2.5-leaf application was made on 5/22 with wind speed from 5-10 mph from the east, 10AM Early joint application was made on 6/9, with NW wind at 15 mph, 2PM.

The early boot application was made on 6/19 with calm winds and heavy dew, 8AM. The flowering application was made on 6/30 with a west wind at 5-10 mph, 10AM.

Plots were harvested 8/8. Protein and plump characteristics were analyzed by the NDSU barley quality laboratory. Statistical analysis was conducted within SAS 9.1 for Windows, using the GLM procedure for yield, test weight and plump, and the PROC MIXED with spatial variability considered (using parameters determined within GS+7 for Windows) for protein.

Results

There were differences between the check and treatment in both yield and test weight, but not in protein and plump.

Highest yield and test weight was achieved with the early tillering application. It is likely that this application stimulated tillering, increasing the number of heads in many barley plants. The strategy of early N application to stimulate tillering is practiced in small grain production in Europe and also in winter wheat production in southern US states. Application of 30-0-0 at the rate used in the experiment was not effective in increasing yield, test weight, protein or plump at any of the other barley growth stages.

The foliar application of 2 gallon/a 30-0-0 resulted in an 8 bu/a yield increase and 1 lb/bu test weight in barley. This practice could be used to enhance productivity of thin stands, or fields with higher yield potential than originally anticipated.

Foliar Treatment of Spring Wheat with 30-0-0 GP Liquid Fertilizer, 2008

An experiment was established in the spring of 2008 on established and previously fertilized spring wheat in a field southeast of Valley City, ND. The location was Barnes County, T139N, R58W, NW ¼ of SW ¼ of section 5. The soils were Lanona fine sandy loams (coarse loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid calcic Hapludolls). The field was seeded by the grower April 23 to Faller spring wheat at 900,000 live seeds/acre. Soil test at the site in the fall of 2007 indicated nitrate-N to 2 ft of 82 lb/a; P 15 ppm; K 335 ppm; pH 6.5; organic matter in the 0-6 inch depth 3.9%, and the 6-12 inch depth 2.4%; Cu 0.8 ppm; Cl to 2 ft, 33 lb/a. The field was

fertilized in the spring with an additional 80 lb N/a. Weed control was provided by the grower with an application of Bronate Advanced at 8/10 pt/a and Rimfire at 2.25 oz/a on June 1. Weed control in the field and plot area was excellent. An application of Headline at 3 oz/a with Newtone surfactant at 8/10 gal/100 gal mix was also applied a little later in the season.

The experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design with 9 treatments and 4 replications. Individual plots were 8-ft wide and 20-ft long. Blocks were separated by a 5-ft alleyway that was not mowed until after flowering to minimize border effects.

Treatments

Check

3.5 leaf (tillering) 1 gal/a, applied 5/28

3.5 leaf (tillering) 3 gal/a

First joint 1 gal/a, applied 6/16 First joint 3 gal/a,

Early boot 1 gal/a, applied 6/23 Early boot 3 gal/a

Flowering 1 gal/a, applied 6/30 Flowering 3 gal/a

All treatments were applied at 10 gal/a total mix using 8001 low drift nozzles at 40 psi using a bicycle sprayer moving at about 3 mph. The boom height was adjusted to produce a continuous pattern across 80 inches of treatment area. Wheat was harvested using a plot combine with a 4-ft wide head on August 15.

Results of GP 30-0-0 application to spring wheat, 2008-

There were no differences between treatments in yield, test weight or protein in this study. Apparently the residual N, the release of N during the season by the soil and the N applied by the grower preplant were sufficient for the requirements of the variety. The protein of the wheat was quite low, suggesting that some use of the applications might have been useful to the quality of the crop, but this is not reflected in treatment differences.

Effect of foliar treatment of spring wheat near Valley City, on yield, test weight and protein, 2008

Effect of GP 30-0-0 Foliar Application on Soybean Yield and Quality.

A experiment to test the effects of 30-0-0 foliar application soybean yield and quality was established in the spring, 2008 on a field southeast of Valley City, ND.

The experiment was established on an existing field seeded to soybeans about 5/10. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five treatments and four replications. The treatments were 2 gal/a 30-0-0 mixed with 8 gal/a water to produce an application of 10 gal/a total mix using 8001 low drift nozzles at 40 psi on a bicycle sprayer boom for 80 inch coverage within the plot area. Each plot was 8-ft wide and 20-ft long. The soybeans were seeded in 30-inch rows. Two rows were harvested in each plot September 29. Oil and protein were analyzed by the NDSU soybean quality laboratory.

Treatments

Check
V3 (6/30)
V5 (7/10)
R1 (7/15)
R3 (7/25)

Results of GP 30-0-0 foliar treatment of soybean at several growth stages-

There were no differences between treatments in yield, test weight, protein or oil.

Effect of foliar 30-0-0 at 2 gal/a at four growth stages on yield and quality of soybean at Valley City, ND, 2008.

There were no increases in yield or quality of spring wheat and soybean with the application of GP 30-0-0 at any tested growth stage. There was an increase in barley yield with the application of 2 gal/acre of 30-0-0 at the 2.5 leaf stage, probably from stimulation of barley tillering with a less than adequate stand for yield potential.

Studies on Coron® foliar application to spring wheat.

In a spring wheat trial at Minot, ND, in 2006 Coron® (28-0-0) applied at 1, 2, or 3 gallons per acre at 5 leaf stage did not increase yield or protein (Table 2),. All treatments had received preplant N for a 50 bu wheat yield goal and yields averaged 57 bu per acre. UAN at 5, 10 or 15 gallons per acre had no effect in this trial either. Results were similar in another trial that included fungicides in both 2005 and 2006.

North Central Research Extension Center, Minot, ND 2006. All plots received preplant N for 50 bu yield goal

Minot- Roseglen, 2006, Kent McKay, NorthCentral R & E Center

The trial was a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The plot area was tilled prior to the fertilizer applications. Plot size was 5 by 22 feet with an untreated fertilizer border of durum planted between all fertilizer treatments. All fertilizer treatments were spread or applied on May 17. The liquid fertilizer treatments were applied with a CO2 pressurized bicycle sprayer, equipped with stream-jet nozzles. A shallow incorporation followed the fertilizer applications on May 17. Coron application was applied at flag-leaf. There were protein increases from N rate increases, but no enhanced protein from application of Coron.

Results from preplant application of N rates of Georgia-Pacific slow-release products compared to urea and 28%; also a urea treatment supplemented with Coron® at flag-leaf.

Northwest R & E Center winter wheat N trials, 2007

Cooperator: Don and Edith Bauman Kent McKay, Area Agronomy Specialist
Lee Novak, Research Specialist
Blake Vandervorst, Regional Agronomist Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Bismarck, ND
Pat Carpentier, McLean County Agent
Jim Hennessy, Mountrail County Agent
Mike Rose, Ward County Agent

The objectives of this trial were to evaluate nitrogen fertilizer source, rate and timing on ‘Jerry’ winter wheat. A fall soil test indicated that there was 62 pounds of available nitrogen in the top two feet of soil. Fertilizer treatments and the amount of nitrogen applied consisted of two yield goals of 60 and 80 bushels per acre. The trial was no-till planted September 26, 2006 with spring wheat the previous crop. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block and replicated four times. Border plots were planted between fertilizer treatments. The early nitrogen treatments were applied May 1 when the winter wheat was in the 3-leaf stage. The granule nitrogen products were broadcasted on the soil surface and stream bars were used for the liquid nitrogen treatments. The 5-leaf and split fertilizer treatments were applied May 16. CoRon was applied June 29 when the winter wheat was fully-headed. Plots were harvested July 23.

2007 Winter Wheat Nitrogen Source/Timing Trial Results, Roseglen, ND

Application of Coron did not increase protein above companion 90 lb N as urea rate.

2005 Northcentral R & E Center foliar N and fungicide trial. Kent McKay, Lee Novak, Shanna Mazurek

Parshall spring wheat was seeded April 23 on previous wheat ground.

Headline®treatments were applied when the wheat was 50% headed on June 28. Folicur® treatments were applied on July 1 at Feekes 10.51 (fully headed, start of flower). Liquid N (28-0- 0) and Coron® fertilizer were applied at different stages to determine the impact fertilizer timing has on increased protein content. Plots were harvested with a plot combine August 16.

Treatments

1. Check, no fungicide, foliar fertilizer.
2. 10 gallons of 28-0-0 were applied the morning of June 28 with a CO2 pressurized sprayer, equipped with StreamJet nozzles delivering 20 gpa. Headline® at 4 fl oz/acre was applied as a separate application that afternoon with a CO2 pressurized sprayer, equipped with 8002 flat fan nozzles delivering 20 gpa.
3. Headline® at 4 fl oz/acre and Coron® at 1 gallon/acre were applied together with a CO2 pressurized sprayer, equipped with 8002 flat fan nozzles delivering 20 gpa.
4. 4: Headline® at 4 fl oz/acre and 10 gallons of 28-0-0 were applied together with a CO2 pressurized sprayer, equipped with 8002 flat fan nozzles delivering 20gpa.
5. 5: Headline® at 4 fl oz/acre was applied June 28 with a CO2 pressurized sprayer, equipped with 8002 flat fan nozzles delivering 20 gpa. 10 gallons of 28-0-0 was applied July 13 with a CO2 pressurized sprayer, equipped with 8002 flat fan nozzles delivering 20 gpa.
6. 6: Folicur® at 4 fl oz/acre and Coron at 1 gallon/acre were applied together with a CO2 pressurized sprayer, equipped with 8002 Twin jet nozzles delivering 20 gpa.
7. 7: Folicur® at 4 fl oz/acre was applied July 1 with a CO2 pressurized sprayer, equipped with 8002 Twin jet nozzles delivering 20 gpa. 10 gallons of 28-0-0 was applied July 13 with a CO2 pressurized sprayer, equipped with 8002 flat fan nozzles delivering 20 gpa.

Protein was increased by foliar treatments of 10 gpa of 28%, but not by low rates of Coron.