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Fertilizer Strategies for Corn
Corn is a high user of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Phosphate is best applied to corn as a starter fertilizer in a 2X2 band at planting. Corn is very sensitive to fertilizer salts. No more than 10 lbs of N+K2O fertilizer should be applied with the seed in normal soil moisture. If soil moisture is low, cut that rate in half. Use of urea is discouraged with the seed. No more than 50 lbs/acre of N+K2O should be applied in a 2X2 band. If higher rates are applied, roots may not be able to penetrate the band early in the season. On heavier soils, fall N, spring preplant, or side-dress N can be used to provide needed N for corn. On sandy loam or coarser soils, sidedress is preferred. Soil tests for N, P, zinc and sulfur are encouraged before fertilizer application. P fertilizer application on a low P testing soil can be reduced by 1/3 if applied as a band, however, rates which maintain soil levels should not be cut. The proper rate of N is:
(Yield goal X 1.2 lbs N/bu)-soil nitrate and other credits
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