Farming Forward: Protecting fertilizer from loss through banding depth

"Without sufficient soil cover to absorb ammonia gas, nitrogen can be lost to the atmosphere before the crop can utilize it. While weather events such as significant rainfall can incorporate broadcast fertilizer, Karamanos suggests a consistent mechanical approach for those who can manage it, stating that "the best thing to do as a practice of deep banding... is to put (it down) at least two and a half inches in depth, period.""

"The practice of placing N at depth traces its roots back to the work of the late John Harapiak. When anhydrous ammonia began showing more consistent results than broadcast urea, Harapiak investigated placing granular urea at similar depths to capture the same efficiency. Deep banding, in this context, requires placing N fertilizer at least two-and-a-half inches into the soil and ensuring good soil coverage above the band."

Deep banding requires placing nitrogen fertilizer at least 2.5 inches into the soil with good soil coverage above the band. The practice originated from trials showing anhydrous ammonia performed more consistently than broadcast urea, leading to placing granular urea at similar depths. Precision in placement is critical because shallow banding, defined as less than 2.5 inches, can be less effective than broadcasting under certain moisture conditions. Insufficient soil cover allows ammonia gas to escape to the atmosphere before crops can utilize the nitrogen. Significant rainfall can incorporate broadcast fertilizer, but mechanical deep placement provides consistent results. For operations constrained to broadcasting, enhanced-efficiency fertilizers with dual inhibitors can reduce losses and bridge the gap.

Read at Realagriculture