Ask The Agronomist Blog
Fall Duty Calls
November 22, 2011
Posted by:
Jim Rowley, Regional Sales Agronomist
Growers in my region are currently preparing for nitrogen ammonia applications and fall tillage. Nitrogen ammonia applications have been delayed because the ground has been too wet due to recent rain. Smearing occurs when the ground is too wet and it is bad for soil structure and future root development. However, growers need to make sure to finish the application before the ground freezes in the next couple weeks.
As you wrap up nitrogen ammonia applications and fall tillage, call your regional sales agronomist to make your 2012 seed decisions. When looking at your options, I would definitely recommend picking hybrids with insecticide and varieties that have seed treatments. It’s never too early to begin choosing seeds for next year!
Gypsum: Yield Enhancer and Good Source of Sulfur
March 04, 2011
Posted by:
Jim Rowley, Regional Sales Agronomist
Soil Sulfur levels in central and northern Illinois have been decreasing below the recommended 13 parts per million over recent years. Sulfur, an essential nutrient, has various roles in the plants, such as:
- Help develop enzymes and vitamins
- Promotes nodulation for N fixation by legumes
- Aids in seed production
- Improves Nitrogen uptake
Deficiency symptoms in corn appear as a pale green coloring of the younger leaves. To solve the potential S deficiency, Sulfate Sulfur is recommended at 18 pounds or more per acre. Recent research by J.E. Sawyer, etal. (See "Dealing with Sulfur Deficiencies in Crop Production: The Iowa Experience") found that substantial corn yield increases due to Sulfur application (19 bu/ac average) are possible when soil conditions are conducive to low S supply and a severe deficiency exists.
The research also indicates a need for Sulfur fertilization and that Sulfur application is an economically viable fertilization practice on many soils.
Various Sulfur sources include the following:
- Ammonium Sulfate
- Ammonium Thiosulfate
- Potassium Sulfate
- Gypsum
Other sources are available, including Elemental Sulfur. However, Elemental Sulfur is water insoluble, has a much slower crop response and is not recommended by this agronomist. The best value oftentimes can be found in Gypsum which provides both calcium and sulfur. Gypsum, applied in the fall to avoid spring compaction, also acts as a soil amendment, providing additional benefits to the soil. Other sources, listed above, may be planter-applied if sulfur levels need to be addressed sooner than in the fall.
Maximizing Harvestable Ears Per Acre
February 16, 2011
Posted by:
Jim Rowley, Regional Sales Agronomist
Corn Population and Row Width Study
February 03, 2011
Posted by:
Jim Rowley, Regional Sales Agronomist
A 2010 population and row width study conducted by Stine Researchers revealed that twenty inch row spacing may have a distinct advantage over 30 inch row spacing, particularly at higher populations.
The data suggests that 30 inch rows may optimize yield at 39,400 ppa for most hybrids entered into the study. Conversely, the optimum 20 inch row spacing was 49,500 ppa with an average yield of 14 bpa advantage over the 30 inch row configuration at maximum ppa.
Further analysis is being conducted on the data. The study, utilizing primarily Stine hybrids, identifies which hybrids can be "pushed" into the higher populations with corresponding higher yields and which hybrids perform best at average populations.
Various locations across the corn belt were included with sights ranging from Central Illinois and Indiana up to Northern Iowa and Minnesota.
In the Field with Jim Rowley - Maximizing Harvestable Ears Per Acre
