Corn Hybrid Response to Fertilizer

posted 31 May 2001

Ontario research has shown differences among corn hybrids in response to potash application and placement. The study was conducted by the University of Guelph from 1997 to 1999 on a well-drained silt loam located near Paris in Brant County. Soil test K averaged between 50 and 60 ppm.

Three methods of spring potash application were evaluated. Potash in the deep-band treatment was placed in a band 6" deep, with corn planted overtop. In the broadcast + planter-band treatment, half of the potash was broadcast-applied, and the rest was applied in a 2" by 2" band at planting. The amount of potash applied was 110 lb of K2O per acre.

Hybrids differed in their yield response to spring-applied potash. The size of the yield response for two of the five hybrids (Pioneer 3893 and Novartis Max 357) did not often exceed 5 bu/A. For the three more responsive hybrids, potash usually increased yields by 15-20 bu/A. The differences in yield response to K fertilizer were mostly due to the ability of the responsive hybrids (Pioneer 3893, Novartis Max 357) to produce greater yields when K fertility levels were low.

There is also evidence that hybrids differed in their response to method of potash application. For example, the Novartis hybrids tended to produce the highest yields when potash was deep-banded, while the Dekalb hybrid tended to produce higher yields when at least part of the potash was broadcast-applied.

The full article, written by Ken Janovicek and Greg Stewart, is hosted by the Ontario Corn Producers Association. Click here to read it!