Agronomy Field Trial Results

Split Application of Phosphorus

Apply in Seed Row & Mid Row Bander Row

Producers have been increasing their rates of phosphate in order to reach the maximum yield possible for canola.  But applying these rates of P with the seed can become toxic to the germinating seedlings.  These Producers question if phosphorus (P) be put through the Mid Row Bander fertilizer applicators and expect uptake in the same season?

The answer is YES.

Trial Years Conducted: 2015-2017

Land: A Dark Grey Chernozem, Clay Loam at St. Brieux, SK with Low Residual Phosphorus ~8PPM.

Trial Details:

• 400’ by 30’ Strip Trials replicated 3 times.
• All trials swathed at appropriate timing.
• Yield determined by weigh wagon.
• All trials sampled and sent to elevator for evaluation.
• Yield adjusted to 10% moisture and 0% dockage.
• Plant counts were taken in three areas of every strip trial and averaged.
• A seeding rate was selected each year to achieve a total of 10 seeds/ft2.
• A different quarter of land was used each year.

Treatments:

• 0lbs P2O5 (P)
• 55lbs P in the Seed Row (SR)
• 55lbs P in the Mid Row Bander (MRB)
• 15lbs P in the SR, 40lbs P in the MRB

Split Phosphate Chart - 2015 to 2017 Trials

Trials conducted from 2015 to 2017 document a benefit of splitting high rates of phosphate between the seed row and the mid row band.

• There was always a bump in yield when P was placed in the MRB over that of the 0P treatment. It was significantly different in 1 of 3 years. With all else being the same, there is a high probability that the bump in yield came from uptake of P in the MRB in that year of application.
• The 55P in the Seed Row had the highest overall yield, but also had the longest time-to-maturity as the plant counts were lower. This is the riskiest placement when compared to lower amounts of P placed in the Seed Row.
• There was a pop up effect when as little as 15P was placed in the Seed Row.

• Bourgault_Canola_Phos_Trial_Summary.pdf