Cool temperatures and a prolonged wet season are combining to hamper nutrient management this season.

The first problem growers will notice is more residue than normal on top of their soil. The wet conditions last fall prevented decomposition from starting as early as it normally does according to CCA Joe Dedman. Further, Dan Kaiser, Extension Soil and Plant Nutrient Specialist, University of Minnesota explains in a recent article for Corn and Soybean Digest that the cool soil conditions are keeping the microbial populations dormant and unable to perform their role in the breakdown of crop residue. Residue that is not broken down cannot begin releasing nutrients and will result in a reduction of naturally occurring nitrogen in your soil profile.

Additionally, the wet conditions could make applying N less efficient this season. Nitrogen, either as anhydrous or as urea, can change from a liquid to a gaseous state, especially in the presence of water. Once this happens, the gas can be quickly lost to the environment. In a wet field, Kaiser says that incorporating the N correctly is critical

• Apply anhydrous ammonia to a depth of at least 4 inches
• Incorporate urea to a depth of at least 2 inches, especially if no rainfall is expected
• Avoid applying urea directly to areas with heavy crop residue as the N could get tied up by the microbes as the crop is decomposing
• If your urea cannot be incorporated utilize a product designed to prolong the time between application and incorporation

This is another area where Monty’s Liquid Carbon/Liquid Humic can be effective. Pete Karzynow, a Midwest custom applicator, has found that he has been able to prolong the time between application and incorporation and actually help stabilize the nitrogen and increase utilization by incorporating 64 ounces per acre of Liquid Carbon/Liquid Humic into his fertility applications. Says Karzynow, “I was skeptical at first but as I began to experiment with the product, I found that I was getting better usage from my applied N. Now, though, I won’t let a truck leave the yard unless they have Monty’s in the tank.”

Attachments:

File	Description	File size
Spring 2010 Nutrient management.pdf	Managing Nutrients, Particularly Nitrogen Could be a Challenge this Spring	127 Kb