Is Growing Corn with Less Nitrogen Possible?

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Is Growing Corn with Less Nitrogen Possible?

12/16/2020
Is Growing Corn with Less Nitrogen Possible?
The focus on Nitrogen Management has become more of focal point in the past few years as new equipment and products have come into the marketplace. From splitting nitrogen applications to using the 4R approach of Right Time, Right Source, Right Rate, and Right Place, we have never been more dialed into efficient applications through substantial methods. Another concept that fits into the Nitrogen Management portfolio, would be the use of biologics to achieve the same amount of yield with the use of less commercial nitrogen fertilizer. I know, this sounds almost too good to be true, right?

Through Growmark’s AgValidity platform this past season, with the help of key growers, we were able to play with just that thought. In particular, we looked at a product called BlueN.  BlueN is composed of a mix of bacterium that is sprayed on the crop in the early growth stages. In doing so, this application would replace 40% of your commercial nitrogen needs of the crop. Being able to replace 40% of your total nitrogen applied and maintain yield is a big leap of faith and we thank the growers who cooperated with us to test it out.  

How does it work?  This bacterium quickly colonizes on the plant leaf tissue and begins to capture atmospheric nitrogen from the air around it. In turn, the plant can metabolize this nitrogen and keep on functioning as normal. The colonized bacterium grows with the plant and as the demand for nitrogen falls off as plant matures, the bacterium fades away. These fields were monitored throughout the growing season and taken to yield at harvest. On the small sample Insight FS had out in the country in 2020, growers were able to maintain yield or saw a slight yield reduction of a few percent. 

Overall, even with slight yield reduction, these growers would try it again. Why? Looking at the bigger picture of environmental sustainability and trying to do our part in being good stewards of the land is extremely important. If we can help reduce excess applications of nutrients and still be able to farm profitably, that’s a win for everybody. This is an opportunity for the ag world to tell our story on how we continue to adapt new technologies to grow more with less. If you would like to hear more about new ideas like BlueN, reach out to your local Insight FS Crop Specialist. Implementation of new ideas and technologies like this is just another way FS keeps bringing you what’s next. 

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