ESN is Smart Nitrogen for Top- and Side-Dress Applications on Corn
Source: Dr. G. Binford, formerly Univ of Delaware. Study was conducted at Georgetown, DE, 2007-2008. All treatments applied at 155 lbs N/acre. Pre-plant treatments were incorporated after application. Side-dress treatments are surface-applied with no incorporation on corn about 8-10 inches in height. Dribble band and knife band were applied between rows. AT = Agrotain, ATPlus = Agrotain Plus. The following assumptions were used for profit calculations: corn price = $3.50/bu; ESN price difference vs UAN = $0.15/lb N; broadcast and dribble band application cost = $7/ac; knife band application cost = $10/acre.
ESN is the ideal N source to protect against all loss mechanisms regardless of application timing and is particularly effective in high-loss environments where stabilizers and other additives provide insufficient protection. ESN is especially effective in top-dress applications in providing extended feeding for the late-season needs of modern corn hybrids.
A two-year Delaware corn study demonstrates the advantage of protecting your nitrogen with ESN in both pre-plant and top- or side-dress applications.
ESN was the best-performing N source for both pre-plant and top- or side-dress applications.
Top-dress ESN produced 19 bu/acre more than the standard dribble-band side-dress UAN which translates to a profit gain of $43/acre more than side-dress UAN and $15/acre more than knife-band side-dress.
Pre-plant ESN produced yields similar to side-dress UAN or UAN with Agrotain.
ESN performed better than either of the ‘best’ options for UAN – knifed in or dribble band with inhibitors. ESN was $15-20/acre more profitable than either of these options.
Treating UAN with Agrotain did not produce any additional yield in this study as ammonia volatilization was apparently not a significant loss mechanism.
