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Chapter 5.1

Fertilizer can be applied in several ways •

including broadcast (with or without incorporation), seed-placed, banded, foliar, or fertigation. Broadcast applications, especially without •

incorporation, carry the greatest risk of nutrient loss. Broadcast application is recommended when using fertilizers containing elemental sulphur to promote weathering. Seed-placed and side-band applications •

are generally the most effective because nutrients are placed in close proximity to the seed. Foliar applications are not effective for •

most nutrients (N, P, K, and S) because leaves cannot absorb enough nutrients for plant growth.

Fertigation allows nutrients to be supplied •

throughout the growing season using irrigation systems. If inadequate water is applied, fertilizer nutrients can be lost through volatilization or stranded at the soil surface out of reach of plant roots. The main advantages of fall application •

are lower fertilizer prices and greater time availability. Excessively wet conditions in early spring can cause significant losses of fall applied N through denitrification. Some advantages of spring application •

include nutrients are applied close to when the crop requires them and are not susceptible to early spring losses. A disadvantage of spring application is the extra time required for field operations. Post emergent fertilizer application permits •

adaptation to dramatic changes in growing conditions after seeding.

summary