Fertilizer Options if Planned Corn Moves to Plan B (05/26/22)
Last fall supported fertilizer application, and a corn grower applied all the N, P and K except for the at-planting row-starter, but the soil is still very wet. What cropping options will not be adversely affected by the corn fertilizer?
First of all, it will be important to consult the prevent plant insurance dates and percent of coverage drop due to later planting, and the final ‘drop dead’ date when insurance coverage for corn ends. With the high corn price, and the kind of spring we have had, the calendar means something with respect to insurance; but although ‘late planting’ taken over many years results in ‘X’ bushel yield decrease with advance in calendar date, is that relationship true in all years? I think not. Just a couple years ago, later planting resulted in better corn stands and yields compared to earlier planting due to the ‘cold shock’ experienced by corn planted early. If earlier hybrids are available, and they might be because some corn growers will probably give up their seed and go to prevent planting or another crop, there is some chance that good corn yields might be better in this weird year than one might think.
Let’s assume that 150 pounds N per acre are available to the planned corn crop through residual fall nitrate-N and any previous crop credits. Losses have probably been small even with the rainfall/snowmelt due to the cold soils up until present. What crops will stand up (literally) to this N rate and which will struggle?
Soybean- If iron deficiency chlorosis is not an issue (and it will not be from about 50 miles west of the Red River and further west, then soybean will be just fine with the N. It will not yield more nor less than it would have if the available N were lower. Soybean in IDC country will struggle due to interaction of soil nitrate with the ability to take up iron (Fe), and perhaps some physiological issues within the soybean leaf cells. A companion crop put in at seeding, such as oats, barley, or any grass easy to kill when necessary, will decrease the nitrate affect and reduce IDC.
Wheat- Spring wheat/durum is probably the number one choice because price is favorable, all wheat except in southwestern ND will be put in late anyway, and the N applied is supportive to a good spring wheat crop.
Sunflower- 150 is probably too high for sunflower and it would lead to increased disease pressure, lodging if there are high winds at the wrong time, and lower oil content leading to potential dockage on delivery.
Flax- Absolutely not. With 150 pounds N per acre, you would be raking it off the ground to harvest it.
Canola- This is possible, but a grower would need to be set to seed it, apply a P starter at planting and fortify the field with additional sulfate sulfur or apply thiosulfate before emergence.
Barley- 150 pounds N per acre is greater than a recommendation for malting barley. If the season does not turn hot and dry later, a 2-row cultivar would be able to grow adequately without rejection by a malting delivery point. The 2-row cultivars are far more resistant to above-market protein than the 6-row cultivars growers used in the past.
Lentils, chickpea, field pea- This is possible. The N would have little effect on these crops.
Buckwheat- The N is probably too high for buckwheat. The lodging might be too great.
Dry bean- The N would not be too high for dry bean, even though it is a higher rate than recommended.
Oat- The N rate would be similar to that normally recommended.
Extension Soil Specialist
701-799-2565
