Canola School: Assessing starter phosphorous amount, placement, and type

When getting ready for the new crop year, understanding the proper application, amount and maybe even the type of phosphorus on the canola crop can have a significant impact on yield, come harvest.
On this episode of the Canola School, Warren Ward, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada, goes through some minimums and maximums and different application options for the necessary nutrient. He also covers some current trials that are taking place looking at the difference between liquid and granular phosphorus.
Firstly, knowing the soil make-up is going to be key when determining how much P should be applied and even where it should be applied. In general, Ward says 25 pounds per acre is typically the standard, but also the maximum, that one would want to apply in the seed row to avoid any seedling damage. Seed-row toxicity shows up later by way of poor emergence and lower plant counts later in the growing season. That being said, Ward shares how he has seen damage done with just 15 pounds per acre, so really knowing how saturated or depleted the soil is of P, will help you determine what that rate should be in the seed row.
Twenty-five pounds, as stated, is the maximum safe amount that farmers can apply in the seed row, but in order to have a successful growing season, producers are likely going to have to apply much more than that.
"If we know we want to apply more, but we've already maxed out what we can safely apply in the seed row, there are a couple other options," explains Ward. "If you've got a side band, for instance, or a mid-row band, you can include that bonus or extra phosphorus in those in those side or mid-row bands, then in the soil where it's needed, and most efficient for the plants to access it."
#farming #canola #phosphorus #fertilizer
Website: www.realagriculture.com/canol...
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