Ohio State University Extension Bulletin

Agronomic Crops Team On-Farm Research Projects 1999

Special Circular 176-00

Polymer-Coated Fertilizer Comparisons

Dennis Baker, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent

Objective: To compare the effects of polymer-coated urea (POLYON) fertilizer in a 2x2 placement row starter, Polyon placed directly in furrow, and a commonly used starter fertilizer on corn yields.

Background

Site: Nearest Town: Major Soil Type: Tillage: Previous Crop: Row Width: Soil Test Levels:	Darke County Farm Greenville Patton, Brookston, Miami Fall chiseled Wheat 30 in. pH 7.1 P 55 ppm K 240 ppm
Herbicides:	1 pt/A Roundup 3 qt/A Fultime
Fertilizer:	100 lbs. 0-0-60 broadcast 135 lbs. 18-46-0 broadcast 150 lbs. N with herbicides
Harvest Plant Population:
Polyon 2x2:	26,137 plants/A
Polyon in furrow:	27,590 plants/A
Urea with 24-12-12:	26,944 plants/A
Variety: Planting Date: Harvest Date:	Pioneer 33G81 May 3 Oct. 22

Methods

The study was established as a randomized complete block design with four replications. The three treatments used to assess the effectiveness of Polyon, a polymer-coated urea were:

Urea 24-12-12 which is a 24-12-12 blend of urea, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), and muriate of potash. This product applied at a rate of 40 lb N/ac in a 2x2 band with seeding (two inches below and to the side of the seed).
Polyon PCU which is a 43.5% N polymer-coated urea. This product applied at a rate of 10 lb N/ac in furrow with seed.
PCU 24-12-12 which is a 24-12-12 blend of Polyon PCU, MAP, and muriate of potash. This product applied at a rate of 40 lb N/ac in a 2x2 band with seeding.

The field where these plots were planted has been in no-till most years. The field was fall chiseled after 1998 wheat harvest, then prepared for planting this spring using a field cultivator with cultipacker. Corn was planted with a Buffalo slot planter into adequate soil moisture and with adequate rainfall for uniform germination. The 2x2 applications were made through the fertilizer box. The in-furrow treatment was made using the insecticide box.

Results

Treatment Harvest Population Yield

Polyon coated urea 2x2 26,137 plants/A 179.10 bu./A a

Uncoated urea 2x2 26,944 plants/A 176.47 bu./A a

In-furrow Polyon coated urea 27,590 plants/A 168.33 bu./A b

Treatment means followed by the same letter are not significantly different.
F = 14.23, cv = 1.71%. LSD (0.05) = 5.15.

Summary and Notes

The polymer-coated urea used over the seed without starter fertilizer yielded significantly less than the other two treatments. Starter fertilizer with Polyon was not significantly different in yield than starter fertilizer without Polyon. The in-furrow treatment was significantly less than the other treatments probably due to there being 30 lb/A less nitrogen applied. This experiment was conducted in cooperation with Land O'Lakes Agricultural Services which was conducting research for Pursell Technologies, Inc., the producers of Polyon.

For further information, contact:

OSU Extension, Darke County
700 Wayne St.
Greenville, OH 45331
937-548-5215
baker.5@osu.edu

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