Maximizing ROI with Potassium: Insights from Corn and Soybean Trial

2 Jan 252m 54s

Reviewing a season-long trial exploring the impact of potassium application on corn and soybean varieties. The trial tested three hybrids each of corn and soybeans, incorporating various potassium rates alongside standard grower practices.

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00:00:00 Hi, I am Stephanie Zellingka with Agro Liquid here with Kevin Matthews and doing a wrap up on our lab from this past season. 00:00:06 Uh, what we did with Kevin is we looked at corn and soybean trials. We picked three hybrids in corn, three hybrid 00:00:12 or three varieties in soybeans. And then we added some additional potassium to that for fertility program to see which hybrids in varieties 00:00:19 responded best to that potassium application. So we actually did our normal grower standard and then we put this on top of it, 00:00:28 and then we had our checks in between so we could verify whether it was or was not a increase. Now we had a really dry year. 00:00:35 This was irrigated ground, but we actually struggled to keep up with irrigation. And one thing that we're seeing in the Carolinas and, 00:00:42 and many other areas is, uh, dry weather potassium deficiency. And, and it seems like, you know, Matt 00:00:47 and I was talking about it on the plane yesterday. Every, every time we turn around when we add potassium, it seems like we're getting more and more 00:00:53 and we're really trying to figure out where happy medium. The neat thing was we tried a couple different rates, 00:01:00 several different varieties, and they all showed a very positive result, but then certain varieties responded. 00:01:06 I mean, we've seen as much as a eight to 12 bushel increase on certain varieties. I didn't really expect that 00:01:12 And I didn't really either. And you know, dry weather does play a role in potassium uptake. 00:01:17 Um, you know, the, the drier the soil, the less water movement, um, that potassium gets trapped in the soil. 00:01:22 So I think, you know, in those dry conditions we see better response to potassium. Um, I think the, the sea companies, 00:01:28 they do a good job knowing what varieties need more nitrogen and other ones that lead mm-hmm. 00:01:32 You know, less nitrogen. I think there is something to this potassium thing that absolutely, you know, some are gonna respond better. 00:01:37 Um, and trying to get a database of that information is just gonna help growers decide where to spend that potassium dollar. 00:01:42 And that's one thing we're focusing on is, you know, we actually, after we started seeing the difference in the crop, you know, at through the early growing season, 00:01:51 we started going in and adding some in our Y drops. 'cause it was like, man, this, this is really standing out. And even at harvest it stood out, 00:02:00 you know, pri at our field day. Yep. You could walk by and say, well, what's going on right here? This looks different. And, uh, it's pretty interesting. 00:02:07 It was the high rate. Now the, the three gallons didn't stand out to the visible to the eyes like the five gallon Right. 00:02:14 Did and I thought that was odd. But that's one of the hardest things is trying to figure out what rate is the one that's got the better RROI for us. 00:02:22 Yep. And all of these turned out a pretty good ROI, you know, we definitely got our money back from that potassium invested and some additional dollars. 00:02:29 Corn was a better ROI than what the soybean were. Um, a lot of that's the, the market that we're in now. Yeah. So if we get prices up better, that will look 00:02:36 Better. Yeah. We'll get better money next year because with the, you know, the fertilized prices has went down a lot, right? 00:02:41 Yes. Fertilizer. Absolutely. That's what happens this time of year. All I sure do appreciate it though. 79 00:02:47.675 --> 00:02:49.405