Research Report: Corn Starter Impacts Early Season Plant and Soil Properties

 

Starter fertilizers are used by producers to help overcome wet and cool soils often encountered with early planted corn. Early planted corn in no-tilled fields and limited drainage typically have the greatest chance of response from starter fertilizers. Starter fertilizers can range from a mixture of UAN, ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and other fertilizers to low salt (LS) formulations containing N, P, K and various micronutrients. Some that promote LS starter fertilizer products claim that UAN and/or APP contain salts at levels that will inhibit seed germination, growth and ultimately yield, even at low use rates. This study was conducted to determine the influence of starter fertilizer combinations and rates on corn emergence, growth, electrical conductivity, grain moisture, and grain yield. Corn (AgriGold AG6472) was planted on 6 June, 2019 with a four row Precision™ planter. Starter fertilizer was applied in-furrow at planting with a Surefire injection pump system. Treatments included UAN, APP, and a LS starter at 2.5 and 5.0 gallons per acre (gpa), 5.0 gpa mixture of UAN and APP, and an untreated control. All response variables were collected from the middle two rows of each plot.

 

 

Video: Precision Planting DuraWear

Struggling with inconsistent planting depth from row to row? The new DuraWear Depth Handle from Precision Planting is designed to eliminate depth variability and make accurate calibration easier than ever.

In this video, Precision Planting’s Mike Schlitt walks through how the Dura Aware system helps growers achieve consistent, repeatable planting depth—without relying on guesswork or constantly checking T-handle positions.

What You’ll Learn:

— Why row-to-row depth variation impacts emergence and yield
— How the DuraWear Depth Handle allows micro-adjustments on each row
— How the system keeps every row in the same notch setting, even after calibration
— And more!

Whether you're dialing in your planter for spring or upgrading your setup for more precise depth control, the DuraWear Depth Handle gives you clarity, confidence, and consistency.