ESN Out-Yields Split Applications in Illinois Corn Study
Yields are means of six site-years in 2017 and 2018. Rainfall was below normal for most site-years. Conditions were conducive to high N mineralization and minimal N loss. All treatments received a total of 180 lbs N/acre. Banded applications were applied six inches directly below the row. UAN side-dress treatments were dribbled on the soil s ace either midway between rows (UAN mid-row) or adjacent to rows (UAN Y-Drop). Split applications received 90 lbs N/a before planting and the remainder side-dress. Broadcast treatments at plan were incorporated immediately after application. Source: Dr. F. Below, Univ of Illinois.
Typical nitrogen (N) best management practices (BMPs) for corn recommend
side-dressing or split applications of N. This practice incurs additional costs and labor, and can be difficult to apply in a timely manner. ESN’s controlled N release allows the grower to apply N before planting and eliminates the need to side-dress.
The results of a recent Illinois corn study show that a single ESN application can produce yields similar to or greater than conventional split applications without the extra application time and costs.
• Pre-plant banded (six inches directly below the row) ESN produced the highest yields in the study (256 bu/acre).
• Pre-plant broadcast ESN produced yields similar to or greater than split applications using pre-plant broadcast urea.
• Only a split application with pre-plant banded urea followed by urea top-dress produced yields comparable to pre-plant banded ESN.
• Pre-plant banded ESN out-yielded split application using the popular “Y-Drop” system by 10 bu/acre.
