Is In-Furrow Fertilizer Worth It? The Yield Case for Corn Growers

The temperature is right. The bad weather has held off. You got your seeds in the ground on time. There’s nothing worse than checking all those boxes — then struggling with slow germination. You’ve applied fertilizer, but growth is still stalled.

That’s why many farmers are choosing in-furrow fertilizer applications.

Fertilizer prices are high enough. You don’t want to haphazardly add even more fertilizer, if it’s not efficiently boosting that early-season growth. Plus, ROI on your fertilizer payments is a must, especially as turbulence rocks the global markets. And early plant growth is critical as farmers look to build an early-season advantage that can give them higher yields down the road.

Applying in-furrow fertilizer helps you optimize your starter fertilizer for corn or soybeans, get the most from your acres, and protect your bottom line.

What are the benefits of using starter fertilizer for corn?

In-furrow fertilizer tube applying liquid starter fertilizer directly into the seed trench at planting

If you’re a no-till operation, fields can often remain cold and wet, which slows down germination during planting. Corn starter fertilizer is a great option to get those seeds germinating faster.

Depending on your soil type, you might also stand to benefit more from starter fertilizer. Typically, soils with lower fertility, cool early-season temperatures, high residue cover, or poor drainage benefit the most. Sandy or drought-prone soils, or those with either high or low pH levels also are great candidates.

Overall, an early boost to seed germination, powered by starter fertilizer, can lead to several important cost savings:

Spraying for weeds: Faster emergence leads to faster canopy growth, which shades out weeds — and reduces headaches for you out in the field.
Drying costs: Faster growth can also lead to an earlier harvest date. That’s great news for you and your drying bill.
Fertilizer efficiency: Applying starter fertilizer means targeting seedlings early in their growth stages. The more you can foster early growth, the bigger advantage you build and the more benefit you can wring out of those expensive fertilizer bills.

So if starter fertilizer for corn and soybeans can make such a powerful impact, how do you make sure you’re making those applications as effective as possible?

For many, in-furrow application is the answer.

What is in-furrow application?

Applying starter fertilizer in-furrow just means placing fertilizer directly into the seed trench when planting. This method gets the fertilizer as close as possible to the seedling, deeper in the soil profile, which enables quicker, easier nutrient access.

Most growers have traditionally used broadcast applications to get their crops the nutrients they need. However, since the focus is on the entire field with this method, broadcast applications can be inefficient and less effective.

Think about the difference between spray painting a wall versus using a small paintbrush. Spray paint may cover more area more quickly. But if you want to be more detailed and precise, you would opt for a brush to target specific areas.

When done correctly, in-furrow application of starter fertilizer can empower similar precision. This targeted approach leads to more fertilizer efficiency and a stronger start to early-season growth.

Like with any starter fertilizer application method, it’s possible to over- or under-apply. Depending on which side of the spectrum you’re on, this can lead to either seed damage or poor early-season growth. That’s why it’s important to work with your agronomist to establish the appropriate application rate based on your soil type, region, yield goals, etc.

Each grower will have their own yield goals, weather or soil challenges, and regional characteristics to consider.

But in general, in-furrow fertilizer for corn can lead to significant cost and plant health benefits.

Since fertilizer is applied directly at the roots with this method, the plant has easier and faster access to critical nutrients. Research has shown that applying small rates of phosphorus, for example, as starter fertilizer can promote early plant growth and nutrient uptake.

This early growth also means increased vigor and root mass early in the season.

The more you can stimulate root development early in the season, the bigger yield advantage you build for yourself that otherwise couldn’t be made up later in the season.

When you can optimize your starter fertilizer applications, you boost your ROI. Applying directly at the source — the seed trench — is a critical method for this optimization.

But to give yourself the best chance with in-furrow application, you need the right tools. Totally Tubular’s in-furrow fertilizer tube allows you to apply liquid starter fertilizer in-furrow to stimulate faster root uptake and early plant growth. Field tests showed that the tube led to better yields.

Browse Totally Tubular’s in-furrow fertilizer tube, or reach out to our team to see what might be a fit for your operation.