ESN Out-Yields Split Applications of Urea and UAN in Kansas
Trial was conducted at Belleville, KS on no-till corn. All N treatments were broadcast without incorporation. Yields shown are averages of four N rates. Split urea and UAN applications consisted of half of the N applied at planting and the remainder applied at about V6 growth stage.
*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.
A Kansas study on no-till corn shows how ESN can simplify nitrogen (N) management, save farmers time and money, and increase crop yields and net return. Conventional best management practices (BMPs) often recommend multiple applications of conventional N fertilizers. These can improve N-use efficiency, but they may incur additional costs and be delayed by unfavorable weather or soil conditions.
A single ESN application at planting was compared with split applications of either urea or UAN. The ESN treatment proved superior to both of these conventional practices.
ESN increased yields by 19 and 11 bu/acre over urea and UAN, respectively, applied in two applications.
ESN increased grower net return by $39.50/acre and $19.50/acre over split applications of urea and UAN, respectively. *
ESN saved an application and produced top yields in one simple pre-plant application.
