No‐tillage corn response to placement of fertilizer nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium

Abstract

Fertilizer placement for corn (Zea mays L.) has been a major concern for no‐tillage production systems. This 3‐yr study (1994 to 1996) evaluated fertilizer phosphorus (P) or potassium (K) rates and placement for no‐tillage corn on farmers’ fields. There were two sites for each experiment involving fertilizer P or K. Treatments consisted ofthe following fertilizer rates: 0,19,and 39 kg P ha^‐1 or 0, 51, and 102 kg K ha^‐I. The fertilizer was broadcast or added as a subsurface band 5 cm beside and 5 cm below the seed at planting. Early plant growth, nutrient concentrations, and grain yields were measured. At the initiation of the study, soil test levels for P and K at the 0–1 5 cm depths ranged from optimum (medium) to very high across sites. Effects of added fertilizer and placement on early plant growth and nutrient concentrations were inconsistent. Added fertilizer had a significant effect on grain yields in two of twelve site‐years. Therefore, on no‐tillage soils with high fertility, nutrient addition, and placement affected early plant growth and nutrient utilization, but had limited effect on grain yield. Consequently, crop responses to the additions of single element P or K fertilizers under no‐tillage practices and high testing soils may not result in grain yield advantages for corn producers in the Northern cornbelt regardless of placement method.     

Relationship between soil‐test P and K and yield response of runner peanuts to fertilizer

Abstract

Direct fertilization of peanuts (Arachis hypogaeaL.) with P and K has generally shown few yield responses, resulting in only limited information concerning critical soil‐test levels of P and K. The purpose of the experiments in this report was to determine the critical soil‐test levels of P and K for runner peanuts using the double‐acid extraction procedure. Fertilizer experiments were conducted on farmers’ fields from 1973 to 1986. Site selection was based on soil test data that indicated “medium”; or “low”; levels of available P or K but “high”; in Ca and Mg. Phosphorus and potassium were applied together at all sites at rates of 20 and 74 kg/ha, respectively, as concentrated superphosphate and potassium chloride.

There were yield increases to fertilizer in 6 of the 39 experiments. Soil‐test P for these six ranged between 4 and 53 kg/ha; soil‐test K ranged between 10 and 31 kg/ha. Delineating the yield effect into their P and K components with the aid of multiple regressions of yield on soil test values showed that yield increases were due to the K component of the fertilizer. The critical soil‐test K value was calculated to be 37 kg/ha. Sound mature kernels (SMK) were generally unaffected by fertilizer.     

Response of soybean to foliar‐applied boron and magnesium and soil‐applied boron 1

Annual plants may partition carbon (C) preferentially to reproductive structures slowing root elongation and subsequent nutrient uptake. Although foliar applications of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) supplement uptake by roots, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield increases have not been found in most studies. Experiments were designed to determine if foliar applications of boron (B), magnesium (Mg), or B+Mg would increase soybean yield and if soybean would respond to B applied to the soil several weeks prior to planting. Foliar B or Mg applied separately four times during reproductive growth did not affect soybean yield. However, four foliar applications of B+Mg increased soybean yield 12% at Mt. Vernon and 4% at Columbia over a three‐year period. Two foliar applications of B+Mg during the late reproductive stages increased soybean yield 8% over a two‐year period. The yield increase from foliar B+Mg treatment resulted from an increased number of pods on the main stem (18%) and branches (44%). A 2.8 kg/ha B application to soil eight weeks prior to planting increased soybean yield 11% during the first year and 13% the second year but had no effect on soybean yield by the third year after application. When results from the first two years were combined, 2.8 kg/ha B applied to soil increased the number of pods per branch by 17% and the number of branch pods per plant by 39%. Foliar applications of B+Mg increased soybean yield in four of six site‐years in the three‐year experiments at two locations.     

Insensitivity of soybean photosynthesis to ultraviolet‐b radiation under phosphorus deficiency

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv Essex] was grown in sand in a greenhouse under 2 levels of biologically effective ultraviolet‐B radiation (effective daily dose: 0 and 11.5 kJ/m² UV‐BBE and 2 levels of P (6.5 and 52 μM). Plants were grown in each treatment combination up to the fifth trifoliolate stage. UV‐B radiation had no affect on plant growth and net photosynthesis at 6.5 μM P supply but decreased both these parameters when grown in the higher P concentration. Reductions in net photosynthesis were apparently due to direct effects on the photosynthetic machinery, since chlorophyll concentration and stanatal conductance were unaffected by UV‐B radiation. Both UV‐B radiation and reduced P supply increased the level of UV‐B absorbing compounds in leaf tissues and their effects were additive. The reduced sensitivity of P deficient plants to UV‐B radiation may be the result of this increase in UV absorbing compounds and possibly uv protective mechanisms associated with growth inhibition.     

A preliminary comparison of the ammonium acetate‐edta soil phosphorus extraction method to the bray‐1 and olsen soil phosphorus extraction methods

Abstract

The ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc)‐EDTA soil phosphorus (P) extraction method was compared to either the Bray‐1 soil P extraction method for non‐calcareous soils or the Olsen soil P extraction method for calcareous soils to predict com and wheat plant tissue P concentration and grain yield responses. The NH₄OAc‐EDTA method predicted yield and tissue P concentration responses to P fertilizer applications more accurately than the Olsen method at three of five sites. Both the Bray‐1 and NH₄OAc‐EDTA methods were successful in predicting corn and wheat yield responses to P fertilizer applications in non‐ calcareous soils in many locations. However, a direct comparison of extracted soil P levels showed that the NH₄OAc‐EDTA method extracted soil P at levels which were more closely related to the Bray‐1 method than the Olsen method.     

Comparison of phosphate rock and triple superphosphate on a phosphorus‐deficient Kenyan soil

Abstract

Soil phosphorus (P) deficiency is a constraint to crop production in many regions of sub‐Saharan Africa, which could be overcome through use of either soluble P fertilizer or sufficiently reactive phosphate rock (PR). A field study was conducted with corn (Zea mays L.) for three growing seasons (18 months) on a P‐deficient, acid soil in Kenya to compare a soluble P source (triple superphosphate, TSP) and relatively reactive Minjingu PR from Tanzania. In the 18 months following application of 250 kg P ha^‐1, bicarbonate extractable inorganic soil P (P_i) was higher for application of TSP than PR, but Pi extracted with a mixed anion‐cation resin was comparable for TSP and PR. Inorganic P extracted by 0.1M NaOH, without prior extraction of resin and bicarbonate P_i, decreased during the 18 months following TSP application, but increased following PR application. After 18 months, about 7% of the added PR‐P remained as Ca‐bound P that was extracted with 1M HCl. The 1M HCl extractable P., however, underestimated residual PR‐P that gradually dissolved and supplied plant‐available P, as indicated by recovery of <40% of PR‐P added to soil in laboratory incubations even though PR solubility in HCl was >90%. Minjingu PR was an effective source of P for corn. Corn yields were comparable for TSP and PR, and the relative agronomic effectiveness of PR averaged 107% in Season 1 and 79% in Season 3. Anion resin and mixed anion‐cation resin appeared to be superior to bicarbonate and NaOH as a soil P test for use with both TSP‐ and PR‐treated soils.     

Responses of soil nematode community structure to different long-term fertilizer strategies in the soybean phase of a soybean–wheat–corn rotation

The impact of long-term application of fertilizers in soybean fields on soil nematode community structure was studied. The long-term application model of fertilizers lasted 13 years in a soybean–wheat–corn rotation, and included three treatments: no fertilizer (NF), chemical fertilizer (urea and ammonium phosphate, CF), and pig manure combined with chemical fertilizer (MCF). The soil nematode community structures and ecological indices were determined from soil samples taken at five soybean growth stages from May to October in the soybean phase of the rotation. Fertilizer application had significant effects on abundance of plant parasites, bacterivores and fungivores (P < 0.05), but had no significant effects on total nematodes and omnivores-predators. Abundance of plant parasites was higher in NF than in MCF and CF, and abundance of bacterivores was highest in MCF. Fertilizer application significantly affected Plant-parasitic Nematode Maturity Index (PPI) and Nematode Channel Ratio (NCR) ecological indices (P < 0.05). Shannon–Weaver Index (H′) and Species Richness (SR) indices were higher in MCF than in either NF or CF. The abundances of total nematode and plant parasites showed increasing trend with soybean growth in all three treatments. This is probably due to soil environment being more suitable for soil nematode survival with more food available for plant parasites as the soybean grows. Soybean growth stage significantly affected the H′, Free Living Nematode Maturity Index (MI) and PPI. Bacterivores significantly correlated with soil nutrient status suggesting that they could be used as a potential indicator of soil fertility.     

Critical soil phosphorus of a low‐P loess‐derived soil as affected by storage temperature

Abstract

Overwintering soil temperature may influence crop response to phosphorus (P) and indices of P availability in the humid, temperate, transitional climate of Tennessee. The effects of P fertilization and soil incubation temperature on sorghumsudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x S. Sudanese) grown on a Typic Hapludalf was investigated in a greenhouse study. In order to determine the effect of temperature on P availability, soils were incubated prior to cropping, at a constant temperature of 6°C or an average diurnal temperature of 24 and 36°C. Reagent grade Ca(H₂PO₄)₂.H₂O was used as the fertilizer source and applied at rates of 0, 10, 20, and 30 mg P kg^‐1 for the first test and 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg P kg_‐ ¹ for the second test. Critical P concentration in the shoots for optimum yield was found to be 1.3 mg g‐¹, corresponding to soil solution and labile P concentrations of 5.5 μmol L^‐1 and 167 μg g^‐1, respectively. Optimum yield occurred for applications of >65 mg P kg^‐1 and was unaffected by soil incubation temperature. Applied P rates affected extractable P by five chemical extractants (Bray I, Bray II, Mehlich I, Mehlich III, and Mississippi), but soil incubation temperature had no affect. The extractants, however, were poorly correlated to plant P uptake and no one extractant appeared preferable to the others as an indicator of P availability.     

Effect of extractable zinc,phosphorus, and soil ph on zinc concentrations in leaves of field‐grown corn

Abstract

The variability in corn yield responses to applications of Zn fertilizer appears to be associated with several complex soil and climatic factors that affect the availability of endogenous soil Zn to the crop under specific conditions. Among the soil chemical properties that influence availability of endogenous Zn are soil pH, organic matter content, and extractable P. Over a period of several years, soil and plant analysis data were collected from 54 field experiments, field trials, and diagnostic visits to producer's fields. These data were subjected to multiple regression analysis, resulting in an equation: Zn_leaf = 37.14 + 1.513 Zn_st ‐4.04 pH_st ‐ 1.791 ln(P_st/100) where Zn_st, pH_st, and P_st were 0.1N HC1 extractable soil Zn (kg/ha), 1:1 soil‐water pH, and Bray's 1 extractable soil P (kg/ha), respectively. These factors accounted for 67% of variation in leaf Zn, which was a large portion of the variability in Zn_leaf considering that climatic conditions, management levels, and varietal differences were uncontrolled in most instances. Using the previously published critical level in the leaf opposite and below the ear as 17 μg Zn/g, these data can be used to set required soil test levels of Zn at different levels of extractable P and soil pH. Inadequate levels of extractable Zn would range from 2.5 (at pH 6.0, P = 70 kg/ha) to, 9.5 kg/ha (at pH 7.5, P = 420 kg/ha).     

Spatial variation of soil test phosphorus and potassium,oxalate‐extractable iron and aluminum,phosphorus‐retention index,and organic carbon content in soils of Western Australia

Abstract

Spatial variation of bicarbonate soil test phosphorus (P) and bicarbonate soil test potassium (K) was studied by measuring soil test values for 40 individual soil samples collected from random locations within eight uniform 100 m by 100 m field sites in south‐western Australia. In addition, for five of the sites, spatial variation of the three P sorption indices (ammonium oxalate extractable iron, ammonium oxalate extractable aluminum, and the P retention index) and of organic carbon (C) was measured for 20 individual soils samples. Spatial variation was found to be large, with coefficient of variation (CV) exceeding 20% in most cases, and 50% in some cases. It is therefore essential to collect an adequate number of soil samples from uniform areas in paddocks in order to provide a representative composite sample to measure the soil properties.     

Effect of rock phosphate and superphosphate on crop yield and soil phosphorus test in long‐term fertility plots

Abstract

A long‐term (1968–1987) field study using corn‐soybean in rotation was conducted to compare the effect of rock phosphate (RP) and superphosphate (SP) at two lime levels on crop yield, soil available phosphorus (P) as Bray P‐1 (0.025M HCl + 0.03M NH₄F) and Bray P‐2 (0.1M HCl + 0.03M NH₄F) tests, and on the relationship between crop yield and available P tests. Treatments included a control, application of RP and SP ranging from 12 to 96 kg P₂O₅ ha^‐1 yr^‐1, and combinations of RP with SP or sulphur at various rates. The RP was applied once in 1968 at 8 times the annual rate while SP was applied annually until 1985. Corn and soybean yields increased with P application, more with SP than with RP. Bray P‐l and Bray P‐2 increased linearly with the amount of P applied as SP or RP. A significant correlation (r > 0.64) was found between corn yield and Bray P‐2 at low lime level with both P sources. In contrast, a poor correlation (r < 0.50) was found between soybean yield and soil P tests. Both RP and SP were effective sources of P fertilizers for corn on soils treated with a small amount of lime compared with a large amount of lime. Under low lime the Bray P‐2 accounted for 41% and 66% variability in com yield with applied RP and SP, respectively. On the other hand, Bray P‐1 was only of value when SP was the source of P.     

Soybean response to the application of several elements on a low‐manganese soil

Abstract

Certain soils in the Lower Atlantic Coastal Plain are Mn‐deficient and because of their inherent properties, deficiencies of other elements might be expected. The response of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. ‘Ransom'] to annual soil applications of B, Cu, Fe, Mo, S, and Zn with and without Mn was examined. The study was conducted on an Olustee‐Leefield sand (Ultic Haplaquod‐Arenic Plinthaquic Paleudult) in 1975, 1976, and 1977. Seed yields, and soil and plant tissue concentrations of certain of the applied elements were determined. Soil pH increased from 6.4 in 1975 to 7.0 in 1977 as a result of lime applications.

Of the seven elements studied, only Mn significantly increased soybean seed yield compared to the check. Leaf concentrations of the respective elements were higher where the element was added than they were in plants grown on the check plots. In 1977, after three years of elemental additions, plant concentrations of Mn, Cu, and Zn were higher, relative to checks, than in 1975. In 1977, with the higher soil pH levels, plants from check plots had lower concentrations of Mn, but unexpectedly equal levels of Cu and higher levels of Zn than in 1975. This unexplained increase in plant Zn was also found in Other experiments in the same field during the same time period. Double acid extracted more soil Mn, Cu, and Zn than did DTPA from similar treatments during all three years. The DTPA‐extractable soil Mn correlated much better with plant Mn than did double acid Mn values, especially over years where a change in soil pH occurred. Correlation coefficients comparing extractable soil versus plant values for Cu and Zn data combined over years were higher for double acid than DTPA, although coefficients for the Cu and Zn data were still generally much lower than for the Mn data.     

Yield and phosphorus efficiency of some lowland rice varieties at different levels of soil‐available phosphorus

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on an Aerie Haplaquept soil to study the effect of phosphorus (P) deficiency in soil on the P nutrition and yield of five modern varieties of rice, viz., Purbachi, BR1, BR3, BR14, and BR29, popular with the rice farmers of Bangladesh. Soil‐available P in the different plots of the experimental field varied widely, from 2.8 to 16.4 ppm. This plot to plot variation in soil‐available P content resulted from differences in the total amounts (0 to 480 kg ha^‐1) of P the plots had received over a period of 8 years in a long‐term P fertilizer trial conducted previously in the same field. Phosphorus deficiency in soil drastically reduced the grain yield of all the rice varieties. In severely P deficient plots, where soil‐available P was around 3 ppm, the yield was less than 1 ton ha^‐1 while in plots containing an adequate P level, i.e., >6 ppm, the yield was more than 41 ha^‐1. Rice yield increased linearly with an increase in soil P content up to 6 ppm, and the highest grain yield for any variety, obtained at 6–7 ppm of soil‐available P leveled off at this point. Soil P deficiency not only decreased rice yield severely but also decreased P content in straw and grain drastically. However, differences among rice varieties were noted in P nutrition, particularly at low soil P levels. The rice varieties differed markedly also in respect of internal P efficiency. The BR29 showed the highest internal P efficiency both at low and high soil P levels. In all the rice varieties, internal P efficiency decreased with an increase in soil P levels.     

Variation of plant‐test phosphorus for individual lupin and wheat tops

Abstract

Two field experiments measured variation of phosphorus (P) concentration in dried tops (plant‐test P) of individual lupin (Lupinus angustifolius cv. Merrit) and wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Cadoux) plants collected from random locations in experimental plots treated with different levels of superphosphate. Plant‐test P for the individual tops varied by between 4 to 65% of mean values. Coefficient of variation for the 10 individual plants per plot varied from 10 to 24%. For each plot, mean plant‐test P for the 10 individual tops were similar to values for bulk samples of 30 plants collected at random within the plot. It is concluded that a bulk sample of 30 lupin or wheat plant tops need to be collected from uniform areas in farmer paddocks to provide a representative estimated of the current P status of the crop.     

Topsoil and subsoil potassium as affected by long‐term potassium fertilization of corn‐soybean rotations

Abstract

Long‐term potassium (K) fertilization practices are likely to affect the K content of soils. This study assessed the effect of long‐term K fertilization strategies for corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations on extractable K in the soil profile of a major Iowa soil type at two locations. The soil type was a Webster fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic, Typic Haplaquoll at both sites. Soil samples were collected from the 0–15, 15–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm depths after 17 years (Site 1) or 19 years (Site 2) of K fertilization with combinations of two initial rates and four annual rates. The initial rates were 0 and 1,344 or 1,120 kg K ha^‐1 at Site 1 and 2, respectively, and the annual rates ranged from 0 to 100 kg K ha^‐1. Samples were analyzed for ammonium acetate‐extractable K (STK) and nitric acid (HNO₃)‐extractable nonexchangeable K (HNO₃‐K). Concentrations of STK and HNO₃‐K in the top 0–15 cm soil layer at the two sites were higher for the high initial K rates and were linearly related with the annual K rate. Results for the subsoil layers varied between sites and extractants. At Site 1, annual rates of 30 kg K ha^‐1 or higher resulted in a relative accumulation of HNO₃‐K in the 15–30 cm layer. At Site 2, these rates resulted in relative accumulations of STK in the 30–60 cm layer and of HNO₃‐K in the 60–90 cm layer, but with relative depletions of STK in the 15–30 and 60–90 cm layers. Thus, use of one extractant may not always be sufficient to evaluate cropping and fertilization effects on subsoil K. Long‐term K fertilization of corn and soybean rotations affected extractable K of both the topsoil and subsoil. The effects on subsoil K, however, were smaller compared with effects on the topsoil and varied markedly between sites, subsoil layers, and extractants.     

Interactions of gamma‐irradiated sewage,nitrogen and phosphorus for Sorghum on a calcareous soil

Abstract

The interaction of gamma‐irradiated sewage sludge, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on dry matter production, phosphorus concentration and phosphorus uptake of sorghum was examined. Three crops of sorghum were grown in the greenhouse in 19 1 plastic buckets. The phosphorus and sludge treatments were applied at the initiation of the experiment only. Nitrogen was applied to the corresponding nitrogen treatment pots before each of the three croppings.

There was a significant nitrogen x sewage interaction for dry matter production, phosphorus concentration and phosphorus uptake in each harvest. There was a significant phosphorus sewage sludge interaction in the first harvest for phosphorus uptake. All other possible interactions were not statistically significant. The 67 metric ton/ha sludge rate produced nearly the same yield as the nitrogen treatment. In the first harvest, sludge significantly increased plant phosphorus uptake from the fertilizer phosphorus. The phosphorus uptake in sorghum from 472 and 944 kg P/ha from the sludge treatments was comparable to that from 1299 and 2598 kg P/ha from triple superphosphate.     

A quick‐test procedure for soil and plant tissue nitrates using test strips and a hand‐held reflectometer

Abstract

Development of a nitrate quick‐test for use by fanners or field consultants would likely encourage the use of plant tissue and soil nitrate tests as a means to improve nitrogen management. To evaluate a quick‐test method, nitrate concentrations in plant tissue and soils were measured using commercially available nitrate test strips and a hand‐held reflectometer. The results were compared with those obtained with standard laboratory methods. Test strip accuracy and precision and reflectometer precision were determined over a 10 day period using standard KNO₃solutions and colored paper strips. Coefficients of variation ranged from 22.4 to 9.5 percent for the test strips and from 3.5 to 1.6 percent for the reflectometer. Quick‐test results were highly correlated with laboratory results for both plant tissue nitrate (r=0.87) and soil nitrate (r=0.98) concentrations. Results indicated that test strips provide a rapid, reasonably accurate and precise method to determine nitrate concentrations in both soil and plant material     

Iron‐stress response of inoculated and non‐inoculated roots of an iron inefficient soybean cultivar in a split‐root system

The objective of this study was to establish whether the iron‐stress responses observed in T203 soybean (Fe‐inefficient) with active nodules are products of the nodules or of the entire root system. A split‐root system was used in which half the roots of each plant were inoculated and actively fixing nitrogen and the other half were not. Soybean cultivar T203 is normally Fe‐inefficient and does not exhibit the Fe‐stress responses, however an iron‐stress response did occur during active N₂ fixation in earlier studies. This implies that the active nodules influenced the plant's ability to respond to Fe‐deficiency stress. In this study, the Fe‐stress response (H⁺ and reductant release) observed in T203 soybean was limited to the inoculated side of the split‐root system. The severe Fe chlorosis which developed in these plants was overcome in a manner similar to Fe‐efficient cultivars undergoing normal Fe‐stress response and the T203 plants completely regreened. Exudation of H⁺ ions was similar in both the presence and absence of Fe, and was generally limited to inoculated roots. Reductant release was nearly nonexistent from the non‐inoculated roots and was greater for the Fe‐stressed (‐Fe) plants than for non‐stressed (+Fe) plants. Thus, the response observed, which alleviated Fe chlorosis, appeared to be associated with N₂ fixation of the active nodules.     

Influence of soil particle size and grinding on bray‐2 extractable phosphorus

Abstract

The influence of soil particle size and soil fine grinding on Bray‐2 extractable phosphorus (Bray‐2P) was studied. Air‐dried and 2‐mm mesh‐sieved soil was separated into six particle size classes: <0.075, 0.075–0.106, 0.106–0.25, 0.25–0.425, 0.425–0.85, and 0.85–2 mm. The lowest amounts of Bray‐2P were found in the 0.425–0.85 and 0.85–2 mm fractions and the highest in <0.075 mm fraction. When ground for 3 min, the amount of Bray‐2P increased in the fractions larger than 0.25 mm, whereas it decreased in the fractions smaller than 0.25 mm. In the large fraction (0.425–0.85 mm), grinding for 1 to 3 min led to an increase in the amount of Bray‐2P, but grinding for 9 to 18 min caused a decrease. In contrast, in the small fraction (<0.075 mm), the amount of Bray‐2P decreased by grinding for 1 min. The large and small fractions that were ground absorbed P in proportion to the grinding time during the extraction‐filtration period.     

Evaluation of urea ammonium polyphosphate (UAPP) I. Effectiveness of banded and seed‐placed UAPP on irrigated corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Field trials were established on an irrigated loamy sand using corn as a test crop. Row fertilizer was placed with the seed (seed‐placed) or in the conventional side placement position (side‐placed). The side‐placed treatments consisted of two carriers of UAPP (28–28–0 and 36–18–0), diammonium phosphate (DAP, 18–46–0) plus ammonium nitrate (AN, 33–0–0), and a control treatment. Two rates of application were used for each carrier. Seed‐placed treatments consisted of two carriers of UAPP (28–28–0 and 36–18–0), concentrated superphosphate (CSP, 0–45–0) plus AN, CSP, AN, and a control treatment. Two rates of application were used for each carrier, except AN, which was used at three rates.

High rates of side‐placed UAPP delayed emergence of corn and lowered the final population. Early season N concentration in corn seedlings was not affected by rate or carrier of side‐placed N. Early season P concentration in the corn seedlings was greater for AN + DAP than UAPP treatments at all rates of P, presumably due to toxic accumulation of free NH₃ in the UAPP band. High rates of side‐placed UAPP also reduced the yield of corn.

High rates of seed‐placed AN + CSP and UAPP reduced the germination of corn. However, low rates of UAPP also reduced germination, whereas low rates of AN + CSP did not affect germination. Since UAPP has a lower salt index than AN + CSP, the “salt effect”; of low rates of UAPP does not explain its effect on germination and emergence. The deleterious effects of UAPP were due apparently to either NH₃ or NO₂‐N toxicity.