Root Zone Banding Increases Yields |
Starter & Foliar Liquid Fertilizer |
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What is Root Zone Banding?
Root
Zone Banding, or dual placement, is the injection of liquid
fertilizer and ammonia simultaneously in a concentrated band 6 to 8
inches into the root zone. It is the most efficient fertilizer program
for conventional tillage and especially reduced tillage. Nutrients are
placed under residue and in position to feed growing plant systems. |
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1. Improves Fertilizer Efficiency.
Fertilizer
applied in a concentrated band under the soil surface is more efficient than broadcast
application because: 1. there is less
tie-up of nutrients with surface residue, 2.
phosphorus uptake improves in moist subsoil, and 3. nitrogen
enhances phosphorus uptake when banded together.
Concentrated bands of fertilizer resist fixation
and accumulate in the soil, creating deep fertility and higher yields.
Adjacent data shows how Root Zone Banding (RZB) places nutrients in a
more concentrated zone than broadcast. |
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2. Promotes Deeper Root Systems
Root
Zone Banding solves the problem of restricted root volume when increasing corn
populations. The best way to accommodate additional root systems is for roots to grow
deeper. Root Zone Banding creates a deeper fertility zone that encourages roots to move
downward. Creating a 12-inch fertility zone doubles the amount of nutrient-rich soil when
compared with a shallow 6-inch zone.
3. Improves Water-Use Efficiency
Root
Zone Banding is one method of improving water-use efficiency. Constant rainfall does not
occur throughout the entire growing season. Root Zone Banding encourages deeper, more
vigorous root systems that take better advantage of precious subsoil moisture. The
result...more bushels per inch of moisture. |
4. Reduces Nutrient Stratification
In
reduced-tillage fields the practice of incorporating fertilizer into the root zone is
eliminated and stratification of immobile nutrients like phosphorus, potassium and zinc
will occur in the top two inches of soil. Root Zone Banding provides root systems with a
concentrated band of fertilizer deep in the root zone. |
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5. Increases Yields
Independent
and university tests consistently show that Root Zone Banding increases yields. When
compared with broadcast application, Root Zone Banding produced 27 more bushels of corn
per acre according to University of Nebraska research. |
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Root Zone Banding: |
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- Improves fertilizer efficiency
- fertilizer in a concentrated band is more
effective than broadcast application. Reduces nutrient stratification
- RZB places nutrients deep under surface
residue. Improves water-use efficiency
- plants make better use of subsoil moisture
during hot summer months. Promotes deeper root systems
- RZB solves the problem of fertilizing high
corn populations.
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| Special knife machines with
coulters mounted in front of knives cut through residue and inject fertilizer fast with
little soil disturbance. |
