ESN Produces Greater Yields and Profits in Kansas Corn
Yields are means of six site-years on no-till dryland corn in Kansas from 2008-2010. All N treatments were broadcast without incorporation. N rate is 80 lbs N/acre broadcast or banded at planting without incorporation. All treatments received 20 lbs N/acre in a starter. Urea/ESN blend is 50% of N from urea with 50% from ESN.
*Profit calculations assume corn price of $3.50/bu; an ESN price difference of $0.20/lb N and $0.15/lb N more than urea and UAN, respectively; and application cost of $7/acre. Source: Dr. D. Mengel, Kansas State Univ.
A Kansas study on no-till corn shows how ESN can increase crop yields and grower net return. Conventional N sources such as urea and UAN may be subject to losses thru volatilization, leaching, or denitrification. ESN can reduce N loss leading to better crop performance.
Broadcast ESN application at planting was compared with broadcast or band applications of either urea or UAN. ESN treatment produced greater yields and more net return than similar applications of conventional N sources.
ESN increased yields by 12 and 23 bu/acre over broadcast urea and UAN, respectively.
ESN increased grower net return by $26.00/acre and $68.50/acre over broadcast urea and UAN, respectively. *
A 50% ESN/urea blend increased grower net return by $20.00/acre and $60.50/ acre over broadcast urea and UAN, respectively.*
