In-Furrow Applications: Phosphorus & Zinc

By Tim Eyrich, FBSciences Vice President of Agronomy

There are several critical times in the management of an annual crop, but probably none so important as planting. We get one opportunity to obtain an optimum population and uniform stand; one opportunity to maximize our genetics in the beginning.

If we spend a bit of time understanding the physiology of germination and emergence, we can design an in-furrow program that will supply the essential nutrients and biostimulants that will provide this optimum environment.

There have been multiple studies showing that higher content of zinc in the parts of the plant that grow out from the seed (roots and leaves) will impact the speed of germination and the vigor of emergence. Zinc is vital for a successful in-furrow program. However, no nutrient works best alone and zinc is not an exception. Kansas State University did a multitude of studies showing the “married” relationship between phosphorous and zinc. What they showed is that one never works when not accompanied by the other. A phosphorus in-furrow without zinc will not work, and the opposite is also true.

Thus a good in-furrow program that is focused on optimizing the genetics as early as possible by creating an environment conducive to a vigorous and uniform germination and emergence must have at least phosphorous and zinc.

Figure A shows the position of in-furrow vs starter nutrient application sites. Orange indicates the location for in-furrow/pop-up application of nutrients. Green indicates the location for application of starter nutrients. The starter nutrients can be applied with a heavier hand than the pop-up nutrients; by the times the roots get to the starter application location there will be less concern for burn.

FBSciences’ leading phosphorus product with zinc and molybdenum Phosron® Soil and premium zinc product Zicron® Soil are formulated with organic acids, chelated to keep the nutrients more plant available and optimize emergence and early stand establishment for the seed and early seedling. FBSciences’ biostimulant products have been proven in over 100 university and independent research trials on corn and soybeans to provide increased uptake of nutrients, leading to larger roots and a more aggressive seedling growth.

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Zhu and Smith, 2001, Plant Soil, 231: 105–112

Ozturket al., 2006, Physiol. Plant. 128:144–152