ARS | Publication request: DOES VARIABLE DISTRIBUTION AFFECT LIQUID P-USE EFFICIENCY?

Submitted to: Fluid Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 2001
Publication Date: September 20, 2001
Citation: EGHBALL, B., SANDER, D.H. DOES VARIABLE DISTRIBUTION AFFECT LIQUID P-USE EFFICIENCY?. FLUID JOURNAL 9:18-21. 2001.

Interpretive Summary: Banding of phosphorus fertilizer has been shown to be more effective than broadcast P. The distance between dry P fertilizer particles or between solution droplets in the band can reduce root-P fertilizer contact and hence reduce P effectiveness. The effectiveness of banded P has been shown to be increasingly superior, compared to broadcasting P, when P rate increases to the optimum level. The greater the speed of application, the smaller becomes the distance between P fertilizer droplets. Results of this study suggest that lower analysis P fertilizers could be more effective than widely used ammonium poly phosphate solution (10-34-0) for preplant banding and starter row applied fertilizers. Mixing of 10-34-0 with UAN may improve P-use efficiency both through improved P distribution and through ammonium-N effects on P uptake and P fixation.

Technical Abstract: Experiments show that banding of liquid P is more effective than broadcast. The effectiveness of banded P has been shown to be increasingly superior, compared to broadcasting P, when P rate increases to the optimum level. The greater the speed of application, the smaller becomes the distance between P fertilizer droplets. Results of this study suggest that lower analysis P fertilizers could be more effective than widely used 10-34-0 for preplant banding and starter row applied fertilizers. Mixing of 10-34-0 with UAN may improve P-use efficiency both through improved P distribution and through ammonium-N effects on P uptake and P fixation.