feed the plant for high corn and soybean yields€¦ · feed the plant for high corn and soybean...

Feed the Plant for

High Corn and

Soybean Yields Fred Below

Crop Physiology Laboratory Department of Crop Sciences, University of

Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Mosaic AgCollege

Orlando, FL January 12 & 13, 2016

Test Your Knowledge of High

Yield Corn and Soybean

•What factor has the biggest

impact on Corn and

Soybean yield each year?

Weather

Above Average Precipitation during June, 2015

Source: NOAA Midwestern Regional Climate Center

2015 Weather Challenges

2015 Experimental Weather Challenges

Tryston Beyrer PhD Student

Test Your Knowledge of High

Yield Corn

•What is the record corn

yield and what is the corn

yield gap?

The Corn Yield Gap

• US average corn yield of about

170 bushels per acre

•All 18 National Corn Growers

Contest winners in 2015

exceeded 300 bushels, 5

exceeded 400 bushels

•New World Record of 532.0271

bushels per acre

Strategy for Winning the

Corn Yield Contest

•Feed (better plant nutrition)

and protect a much higher

density of plants of the best

‘racehorse’ hybrids

•Make sure the crop is never

stressed

Quest for High Yield Corn

•Intelligent Intensification

with the Seven Wonders of

the Corn Yield World

•What management factors

have the biggest impact on

corn yield each year?

Seven Wonders of the Corn

Yield World

•Given key prerequisites of

drainage, weed & pest control,

and adequate soil fertility

•Ranks those factors that each

year can have a positive (and

sometimes negative) impact on

corn yield

10 Growth Regulators

15 Tillage

20 Plant Population

25 Previous Crop

50 Hybrid

70 Nitrogen

70+ Weather

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

bu/acre

Value Factor Rank

Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World

Given key prerequisites of drainage, weed & pest

control and adequate soil fertility


15 Tillage

20 Plant Population

25 Previous Crop

50 Hybrid

70 Nitrogen

70+ Weather

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

bu/acre

Value Factor Rank


Given key prerequisites

Source USDA

Year

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Gra

in Y

ield

(b

u a

cre

-1)

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Pla

nt

De

nsit

y (

acre

-1)

-

16000

18000

20000

22000

24000

26000

28000

30000

32000 U.S. plant density

U.S. average grain yield

How Have Corn Yields Increased?

20” Rows Increase Intra-Row Plant Spacing


15 Tillage

20 Plant Population

25 Previous Crop

50 Hybrid

70 Nitrogen

70+ Weather

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

bu/acre

Value Factor Rank



Leaf Greening from Strobilurin Fungicides

Greener leaves 50 days after VT application


15 Tillage

20 Plant Population

25 Previous Crop

50 Hybrid

70 Nitrogen

70+ Weather

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

bu/acre

Value Factor Rank



Plant Response to Growth Regulators

PGR level/sensitivity

Rela

tive g

row

th

Optimum

level

Too little

PGR Too much

PGR

Name that Ear Abnormality

A new ear abnormality

from an improper

PGR application

The Ohio State and Abnormal Ears

Name that Ear Abnormality

“Circum-Ovulated Ear”


15 Tillage

20 Plant Population

25 Previous Crop

50 Hybrid

70 Nitrogen

70+ Weather

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

bu/acre

Value Factor Rank



Is the Future of Corn Higher Populations in

Narrow Rows?

Fertility Needs for Corn Based on

Soil Test Data

• Soil test values calibrated to

yield in the 60’s and 70’s

•Do higher plant populations

and more productive

germplasm necessitate better

fertilization strategies for corn?

High Plant Density = Smaller Roots

Champaign, IL 2012

Normal Population

32,000 plants/acre High Population

45,000 plants/acre

Corn Fertility Recommendations

•Current = N based mostly

on expected yield and P and

K based on soil tests

• Future = Use application

and fertilizer technologies

to supply required crop

nutrition

Nutrition Needed for 230 Bushel Corn

Nutrient Required

to Produce

Removed

with Grain

Harvest

Index

lbs/acre %

N 256 148 58

P2O5 101 80 79

K2O 180 58 32

S 23 13 57

Zn (oz) 7.1 4.4 62

B (oz) 1.2 0.3 23

Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010. Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)


Nutrient Required

to Produce

Removed

with Grain

Harvest

Index

lbs/acre %

N 256 148 58

P2O5 101 80 79

K2O 180 58 32

S 23 13 57

Zn (oz) 7.1 4.4 62

B (oz) 1.2 0.3 23 Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010. Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)


Nutrient Required

to Produce

Removed

with Grain

Harvest

Index

lbs/acre %

N 256 148 58

P2O5 101 80 79

K2O 180 58 32

S 23 13 57

Zn (oz) 7.1 4.4 62

B (oz) 1.2 0.3 23

Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010. Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)

Feed the Plant Not the Soil

Better Fertilizer (Right Source) • Supply N, P, S, Zn in single granule

250 lbs/acre MicroEssentials-SZ

35 lbs N, 100 lbs P2O5, 25 lbs S, 2.5 lbs Zn

Better Application (Right Place) • Banded 4 to 6 inches deep directly

under the crop row

Banding Fertilizer 4-6 Inches Deep

Directly Under the Future Crop Row

Seeding Corn Crop 2 Inches Deep

Directly Over the Fertilizer Band

Improved Growth with Banded Fertility

250 lbs/acre MicroEssentials = 35 N, 100 P2O5, 25 S, and 2.5 Zn

Champaign, IL 2011

UTC 6” 0”

Growth Response to Banded Fertility


Champaign, IL 2014

V6

growth

stage

0 3 Brdcst 6 9 12 UTC 15

180

185

190

195

200

205

210Y

ield

(b

u a

c-1

)

Fertilizer Distance from Row (In.)

Corn Yield Response to Fertilizer Placement

LSD (0.10)

5.5 bushels

Champaign, IL 2014

Most Roots Expand Only 6 Inches

Horizontally

Root System at R5, 32,000 plants/acre

Improved Growth with Banded Fertility


Champaign, IL 2011

No Corn Plant Left Behind

Champaign, IL 2011

Enhanced Production Factors Tested

Fertility Balanced Crop Nutrition with

MicroEssentials-SZ banding directly

under row and/or broadcast Aspire

Nitrogen Extra sidedress N (60-80 lbs) with

weather protection

Hybrid With biotech insect protection and/or

a ‘Racehorse’ hybrid

Population Up to 45,000 plants/acre

Fungicide Strobilurin fungicide @ R1

Row Space 30 vs 20 inch row spacing

Irrigation With subsurface drip

Standard Management vs High Tech System

High Technology System Standard Management

Ears from

1/1000 of an

acre

Year Standard High Tech ∆

bu acre-1

2009 198 260 +62*

2010 188 230 +42*

2011 169 195 +26*

2012 135 210 +75*

2013 196 231 +35*

2014 193 238 +45*

Average 180 227 +47*

Corn Yield Response to Management

Average of 2 trials in 2009 and 2010, 11 trials in 2011, 2 trials in 2013,

and 3 trials in 2013 & 2014. *Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05.

Year Factor Standard High Tech

∆ bushels acre-1

09 Rootworm Hybrid +9 -25

10 Fungicide +11 -35

11 Fertility +14 -17

12 Irrigation +55 -93

13 Pop. + 20” rows +5 -27

14 Fertility + 20” rows +24 -29

Management Factor with Greatest Response

Standard vs High Tech Package: 2015

Phosphorus None, or fall P based on soil test

100 lbs P2O5 banded as MicroEssentials-SZ

Potassium None, or fall K based on soil test

75 lbs K2O broadcast as Aspire (K & B)

P and K None, or fall P and K based on soil test

MicroEssentials and Aspire as above

Nitrogen 160 lbs pre-plant as UAN

Extra N (+80 lbs) as sidedress and protected

Population 32,000 plants/ac vs 44,000 plants/acre

Fungicide No Fungicide vs Fungicide @ Vt/R1

Row Spacing 30 inch vs 20 inch row spacing

FACTORS

TREATMENT Phosphorus Potassium Nitrogen Population Fungicide

HIGH INPUT MESZ Aspire Base +

sidedress 44,000 Strobilurin

Re

mo

ve T

ec

hn

olo

gy

Fertility Soil test Aspire Base + sidedress 44,000 Strobilurin

Nitrogen MESZ Soil test Base + sidedress 44,000 Strobilurin

Hybrid MESZ Aspire Base 44,000 Strobilurin

Population MESZ Aspire Base + sidedress 32,000 Strobilurin

Fungicide MESZ Aspire Base + sidedress 44,000 none

STANDARD Soil test Soil Test Base 32,000 none

Ad

d T

ec

hn

olo

gy Fertility MESZ Soil test Base 32,000 none

Nitrogen Soil test Aspire Base 32,000 none

Hybrid Soil test Soil test Base + Sidedress 32,000 none

Population Soil test Soil test Base 44,000 none

Fungicide Soil test Soil test Base 32,000 Strobilurin

Omission Plot Experimental Design

In 20 and 30 inch rows

Add One Enhanced Factor Yield ∆

bu acre-1

Standard Management 189

+Phosphorus (100 lbs P2O5 MESZ) 202 +13

+Potassium (75 lbs K2O as Aspire) 184 -5

+Phosphorus & Potassium 207 +18*

+Nitrogen (80 lbs N sidedress) 211 +22*

+Population (44,000 plants/acre) 186 -3

+Fungicide (strobilurin at flowering) 207 +18*

+Row Spacing (20 inch rows) 205 +16*

Add One Enhanced Factor to Standard – 2015

Significantly different from standard at P ≤ 0.10. Average of 2 trials

Omit One Enhanced Factor Yield ∆

bu acre-1

High Tech all Seven Factors 251

-Phosphorus (P based on soil test) 219 -32*

-Potassium (K based on soil test) 252 +1

-Phosphorus & Potassium 219 -32*

-Nitrogen (no sidedress) 233 -18*

-Population (only 32,000 plants/acre) 232 -19*

-Fungicide (no fungicide) 241 -10

-Row Spacing (30 inch rows) 221 -30*

Omit One Enhanced Factor from High Tech – 2015


Standard High Tech

Factor Yield ∆ Yield ∆

bu acre-1

None or All 189 251

Phosphorus 202 +13 219 -32*

Potassium 184 -5 252 +1

P and K 207 +18* 219 -32*

Nitrogen 211 +22* 233 -18*

Population 186 -3 232 -19*

Fungicide 207 +18* 241 -10

Row Spacing 205 +16* 221 -30*

Standard vs High-Tech Management 2015


Do Growers Adequately Fertilize Soybean?

Champaign, IL 2012

The Soybean Yield Gap

•US average soybean yield of

about 45 bushels per acre

•World record soybean yield

of 161 bushels

• Illinois record of 108.3

bushels in 2015

Fertility

Weather

6

5

4

3

2

1

Factor Rank

The Six Secrets of Soybean Success


Genetics/Variety

Foliar Protection

Seed Treatment

Row Arrangement

Typical Fertilization for Corn

and Soybean in Illinois

• 180 lbs N, 90 lbs P2O5 and 100

lbs K2O per acre applied to

corn. No S or micronutrients

•No fertilizer applied to soybean

Nutrient Uptake and Removal by

60 Bushel Soybean

Nutrient

Required

to Produce

Removed

with Grain

Harvest

Index

lbs per acre %

N 245 179 73

P2O5 43 35 81

K2O 170 70 41

S 17 10 61

Zn (oz) 4.8 2.0 44

B (oz) 4.6 1.6 34 Data averaged across two varieties, two fertility regimes,

and three site-years during 2012 and 2013. Agron. J. 107:563-573 (2015)

Nutrient Uptake and Removal by

60 Bushel Soybean

Nutrient

Required

to Produce

Removed

with Grain

Harvest

Index

lb acre-1 %

N 245 179 73

P2O5 43 35 81

K2O 170 70 41

S 17 10 61

Zn (oz) 4.8 2.0 44

B (oz) 4.6 1.6 34 Data averaged across two varieties, two fertility regimes,


Typical Fertilization for Corn

and Soybean in Illinois

• 180 lbs N, 90 lbs P2O5 and 100

lbs K2O per acre applied to

corn. No S or micronutrients

•No fertilizer applied to soybean

P and K Uptake and Removal by

60 bu Soybean vs 230 bu Corn

Nutrient Required

to Produce Removed with Grain

Remain in Stover

Corn Soy Corn Soy Corn Soy lbs per acre

P2O5 101 43 80 35 21 8

K2O 180 170 56 70 124 100

Corn data from Agron J. 105:161-170 (2013); Soybean data from Agron. J.

107:563-573 (2015)

Days After Planting

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

K U

pta

ke (

lb K

2O

ac

-1)

0

28

56

84

112

140

168

Perc

en

t o

f T

ota

l (%

)

0

20

40

60

80

100

Grain

Flowers, Pods

Stem, Petioles

Leaves

Planting V3 V7 R2 R4 R5 R6 R8

Growth Stage

K Uptake & Partitioning for 60 Bushel Soybean

Data averaged across two varieties, two fertility regimes, and

three site-years during 2012 and 2013. Agron. J. 107:563-573 (2015)

Most (50%) K

accumulation is

in the stem and

leaf petioles

Days After Planting

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

P U

pta

ke (

lb P

2O

5 a

c-1

)

0

8

16

24

32

40

Perc

en

t o

f T

ota

l (%

)

0

20

40

60

80

100

Grain

Flowers, Pods

Stem, Petioles

Leaves

Planting V3 V7 R2 R4 R5 R6 R8

Growth Stage

P Uptake & Partitioning for 60 Bushel Soybean

Data averaged across two varieties, two fertility regimes,


Season long

uptake and no

reservoir of P in

the stem and

leaf petioles

Standard vs High Tech System 2014-15 Phosphorus P applied year before to corn

75 lbs P2O5 as MESZ (N, P, S, & Zn)

Banded 4-6” under row at planting

Potassium K applied year before to corn

75 lbs K2O as Aspire (K & B)

Broadcast and incorporated at planting

P and K P & K applied year before to corn

MESZ and Aspire applied as above

Foliar Protection No foliar protection

Fungicide and Insecticide at R3

Seed Treatment Untreated or Fungicide only

Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide

Row Arrangement 30 inch row spacing

20 inch row spacing

With banded

fertility to provide 25 lb N, 75 lb P2O5, 18 lb

S, 1.8 lb Zn per acre

Without

banded fertility but with adequate

soil test values

Standard vs High Tech System 2014-15 Phosphorus P applied year before to corn

75 lbs P2O5 as MESZ (N, P, S, & Zn)

Banded 4-6” under row at planting

Potassium K applied year before to corn

75 lbs K2O as Aspire (K & B)

Broadcast and incorporated at planting

P and K P & K applied year before to corn

MESZ and Aspire applied as above

Foliar Protection No foliar protection

Fungicide and Insecticide at R3

Seed Treatment Untreated or Fungicide only

Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide

Row Arrangement 30 inch row spacing

20 inch row spacing

Champaign

Harrisburg

Soybean Management Trials

2015

3 sites in Illinois with:

• 7 trials at 3 locations

• Banded phosphate or broadcast

potassium, or both at planting

• Different company seed

(Asgrow, Syngenta, Croplan)

and foliar protection products:

BASF or Syngenta

• Normal and full maturity variety

• All in 30 inch vs 20 inch rows, at a

seeding rate of 160,000 plants/acre

DeKalb

Location Standard High Tech Δ

———— bushels acre–1 ————

DeKalb 56.5 73.6 +17.1*

Champaign 80.1 98.9 +18.8*

Harrisburg 75.1 83.2 +8.1*

Average 70.7 85.4 +14.7*

Yield Response to Management 2015

*Significant at P ≤ 0.05. Seven trials with two varieties in each

Soybean Omission Plot Design

Treatments evaluated in 30 and 20 inch row spacing

MANAGEMENT FACTORS

Treatment Phosphate Potassium P & K Foliar Protec Seed treatment

HIGH TECH Yes Yes Yes Yes Full

De

cre

ase

Tech

no

logy

-Phosphate None Yes Yes Yes Full

-Potassium Yes None Yes Yes Full

-P and K Yes Yes None Yes Full

-Foliar Protection Yes Yes Yes None Full

-Seed Treatment Yes Yes Yes Yes Basic

TRADITIONAL None None None None Basic

Ad

d T

ech

no

logy

+Phosphate Yes None None None Basic

+Potassium None Yes None None Basic

+P and K None None Yes None Basic

+Foliar Protection None None None Yes Basic

+Seed Treatment None None None None Full

Standard System

Add One Enhanced Factor Yield ∆

bu acre-1

Standard Management 70.7

+Phosphorus (as MESZ also N,S, Zn) 76.5 +5.8*

+Potassium (as Aspire also B) 70.1 -0.6

+Phosphorus & Potassium 74.2 +3.5*

+Fungicide & Insecticide (R3) 73.8 +3.1*

+Seed Treatment (at planting) 72.3 +1.6

+Row Spacing (20 inch rows) 74.3 +3.6*

Add One Enhanced Factor to Standard - 2015

*Significantly different from standard at P ≤ 0.05.

Average of 7 trials each with two varieties at three locations

High Tech System

Omit One Enhanced Factor Yield ∆

bu acre-1

High Tech all Six Factors 85.4

-Phosphorus (fertility previous corn) 80.5 -4.9*

-Potassium (fertility previous corn) 87.0 +1.6

-Phosphorus & Potassium 80.6 -4.8*

-Fungicide & Insecticide 82.9 -2.5

-Seed Treatment (none or base) 82.6 -2.8*

-Row Arrangement (30 inch rows) 77.1 -8.3*

Omit One Enhanced Factor from High Tech - 2015

*Significantly different from standard at P ≤ 0.05.

Average of 7 trials each with two varieties at three locations

Standard High Tech

Factor Yield ∆ Yield ∆

bu acre-1

None or All 70.7 85.4

Phosphate 76.5 +5.8* 80.5 -4.9*

Potassium 70.1 -0.6 87.0 +1.6

P & K 74.2 +3.5* 80.6 -4.8*

Fung. + Insect. 73.8 +3.1* 82.9 -2.5

Seed Treatment 72.3 +1.6 82.6 -2.8*

Row Arrangement 74.3 +3.6* 77.1 -8.3*

2015 Soybean Omission Plots – Average of 7 Trials

*Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05. Average of two varieties in each trial

Conclusions • For maximum corn and soybean

yield a systems approach is needed that combines individual practices known to impact productivity

• High yield starts with plant nutrition with sets the growth trajectory and the potential for high yields

Conclusions

• Soil test values may not be calibrated for the higher plant populations being used for corn, and the greater yield potential of modern corn hybrids and soybean varieties

Conclusions •Many growers in a corn

soybean rotation are removing more P and K than they are replacing

• There are large yield opportunities in corn and soybean from fertilizing with the right source in the right place

Acknowledgements

•Brad Bandy

•Tryston Beyrer

•Tom Boas

•Ryan Becker

•Ross Bender

•Brad Bernhard

•Fernando Cantao

•Narjara Cantelmo

•Renato Carmargos

•Laura Gentry

•Claire Geiger

•Jason Haegele

•Andrew Harmon

•Cole Hendrix

•Adam Henninger

•Brandon Litherland

•Shelby Mann

•Jack Marshall

•Adriano Mastrodomenico

•Katie Parker

•Ellie Raup

•Alvero Santos

•Ana Scavone

•Juliann Seebauer

•Jiying Sun

•Martín Uribelarrea

•Mike Vincent

•Alison Vogel

•Kyle Vogelzang

•Wendy White

Personnel

Champaign

Harrisburg

Crop Physiology Lab Sites

& Farm Cooperators

DeKalb - Eric Lawler

H.B. Babson Farms

Champaign – UI Research

Farm

Harrisburg - Scott Berry

Berry Farms

DeKalb

Acknowledgements

•AGCO

•Agricen

•Agrium

•AgroFresh

•Albion

•BASF

•Calmer Corn Heads

•Crop Production Services

•Dawn Equipment

•Dow AgroSciences

•DuPont Pioneer

•Fluid Fertilizer Foundation

•Goemar

•GrowMark

•Honeywell

•Helena Chemical Company

•Illinois Soybean Association

•IPNI

•John Deere

•Koch Agronomic Service

•Midwestern BioAg

•Monsanto

•Mosaic

•Nachurs

•Netafim

•Orthman

•Rentech

•Syngenta

•Stoller Enterprises

•Valent BioSciences

•West Central

•WinField Solutions

•Wolf Trax

•Wyffels Hybrids

Financial Support

Very Special Thanks

• The Mosaic Company

For more information:

Crop Physiology Laboratory at the

University of Illinois

http://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu

feed the plant for high corn and soybean yields€¦ · feed the plant for high corn and soybean...

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