Blog

See the latest news, innovation updates, trial results, grower stories and more from Agricen.

PROLOGUE Applied 2x2 at Planting Yields Excellent Corn Response

March 11, 2025 — Posted By Agricen

Achieving the proper balance of phosphorus and zinc in the soil is critical to early crop growth and development, setting the crop up for optimal yield potential later in the growing season. PROLOGUE is a unique biological product that enhances phosphorus and zinc nutrition in a variety of crops when used at planting in either an in-furrow or 2x2 banded application with any liquid fertilizer blend. PROLOGUE can help ensure that these nutrients are in the right balance for the crop.

In 2024, the Nutrien Ag Solutions Innovation Farm in Hopkinsville, KY conducted a replicated strip trial to evaluate the benefit of adding PROLOGUE to UAN 32% in a 2x2 application at planting in corn, which requires a 10:1 ratio of phosphorus to zinc for optimal zinc availability.

The check treatment was 10 gallons per acre of UAN 32% banded 2x2 at planting, which was compared against the same rate of nitrogen with the addition of PROLOGUE at 2 quarts per acre, also applied 2x2. There were two replications per treatment. All other crop management practices were the same for both treatments.

Adding PROLOGUE to the UAN 32% fertilizer at planting led to a yield advantage of +14 bu/acre (6.3%) over the check, with an ROI of nearly 4:1. At harvest, the corn yield was 237 bu/acre with the PROLOGUE treatment, compared to 223 bu/acre with the check.

PROLOGUE contains two components that directly improve phosphate availability for corn root absorption:

A biochemical component that increases phosphorus solubility and immediate availability of this essential nutrient early in the growing season. This component enhances the phosphate fertilizer PROLOGUE is applied with, as well as any phosphorus already residing in the soil of the application zone.
A beneficial bacterium species in PROLOGUE colonizes the corn root rhizosphere upon seed germination, then continues to multiply and live in association with the root system for the majority of the growing season. During this time, the bacteria solubilizes more tightly bound forms of soil phosphorus in the rhizosphere and makes this soil phosphorus plant-available.

PROLOGUE also contains EDTA-chelated zinc, which both directly helps meet the plant's zinc nutrition needs and boosts the efficiency of applied and existing phosphorus.

PROLOGUE has an analysis of 5-0-0 6.3% Zn and can be applied in a range of crops, especially those that do best with an early season application of liquid phosphate near the developing root system.

Learn more about PROLOGUE by downloading the PROLOGUE booklet.

Creating a More Efficient Liquid Starter Program for Corn

April 29, 2024 — Posted By Agricen

By Brian Cornelious, PhD, Agricen

corn soil sky-1

The use of starter fertilizer, aimed at getting plant nutrients in a concentrated zone close to the point of seed placement, is a common practice in some parts of the country.

A standard starter program for corn in the U.S. Corn Belt is 3-5 gallons of ammonium polyphosphate (10-34-0) plus 1 quart of zinc per acre. More progressive growers have gravitated towards readily available orthosphosphate blends containing micronutrients or other enhancements like biostimulants. Regardless of the rate, timing, source and amount (the “4Rs”) of the practice, the goal is the same: Get the most out of every nutrient applied for better early growth and development.

Conversion from polyphosphate to plant-available orthophosphate takes place in the soil, where microbes and soil chemistry both play a role in making the applied and existing soil nutrients available to the plant, as well as in the timing of nutrient release into the soil solution. For any liquid starter program to be successful, growers must consider several key factors like soil test values, crop yield goals, field conditions and potential for nutrient release when the crop needs them most.

Thankfully, growers don’t have to leave it all up to nature. By enhancing liquid starter programs with ACCOMPLISH MAX or PROLOGUE, growers can speed up the conversion process in the soil and facilitate plant nutrient uptake by providing highly available forms of nutrients. The outcome is improved plant performance, as demonstrated in the trials below.

ACCOMPLISH MAX

ACCOMPLISH MAX is specifically formulated for use with liquid starter fertilizers. It contains diverse biochemicals (e.g., organic acids, enzymes) that interact with liquid fertilizers and soil chemistry to improve nutrient availability and facilitate nutrient uptake by the crop. It also contains a kelp-based technology that helps crops better tolerate potentially yield-robbing stresses like cold temperatures, saline soil, heat or dry conditions.

In the corn trial below from Ohio, the grower standard practice (GSP) was an in-furrow program consisting of NPK, a micronutrient starter and Proven 40 (a microbial nitrogen-fixing product from Pivot Bio). This was compared to GSP plus 1 quart/acre of ACCOMPLISH MAX over three fields.

The results? Adding ACCOMPLISH MAX to the grower's standard in-furrow program led to a yield advantage of +6 bu/acre over the GSP alone.

Corn_Ottawa_Ohio_Accomplish_Max

In another example, a corn trial in Nebraska looked at the impact of adding ACCOMPLISH MAX at 1 quart/acre to a starter program consisting of Loveland Products’ Riser (2 gals/acre) and Black Label Zn (1 gal/acre).

The results? A visual difference with ACCOMPLISH MAX earlier in the season, including thicker stalks and healthier plants above ground, with deeper, more developed roots below. The early, healthier start resulted in a +4.5 bu/acre yield advantage at harvest compared to the starter program that did not include this technology.

corn_Curtis_Nebraska_Accomplish_Max

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE (5-0-0 6.3% Zn) is a combination of highly plant available zinc and nutrient solubilizing technology comprised of microbial metabolites (biochemicals) and active, phosphorus-scavenging microbes that colonize within the root system.

PROLOGUE fits any banded liquid phosphorus-based fertilizer program requiring supplemental zinc for optimal plant growth. It is formulated to increase the efficiency of both applied phosphate and existing phosphate bound in the soil, as well as balance the P:Zn uptake ratio. (For every 10 units of phosphorus, a plant needs 1 unit of zinc.)

In this corn trial from Kentucky, PROLOGUE was applied 2x2 with 10 gals/acre of 10-34-0.

The results? A yield advantage of +7.15 bu/acre with PROLOGUE in the starter program compared to the 10-34-0 starter alone.

Prologue_Corn_KY

Crops that get off to a good start often maintain an advantage during the growing season over those that struggle to get going. As these studies show, growers that include a technology such as ACCOMPLISH MAX or PROLOGUE in their starter programs—whether a polyphosphate, an orthophosphate/polyphosphate blend or other liquid starter—can maximize the efficiency of applied nutrients and improve crop performance.

Learn more about starter fertilizer programs by downloading our booklet, Improving Crop Yields with Starter Fertilizers.

Enhancing Fall Dry Fertilizer Efficiency and Grower ROI with TITAN XC

August 24, 2023 — Posted By Agricen

Fall can be a good time to apply dry phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers because of lower workloads and drier soils. A fall dry fertilizer application can also increase P and K availability for crops planted in the spring by giving the fertilizer prill more time to undergo natural weathering and breakdown in the soil compared to spring applications.

However, just because you apply 300 pounds of P and K this fall, it doesn’t mean that all 300 pounds will be available to next season's crop. Soil physical, chemical and biological properties combined with weather conditions all play a role in fertilizer availability. Even under the best conditions, an application of dry fertilizer on its own is usually not very efficient. In the first season after application, only about 10-30% of applied P and 20-60% of applied K is typically available for use by the growing crop.

For a higher rate of fertilizer efficiency, TITAN XC can be applied to dry fertilizer blends, increasing the efficiency of applied P and K fertilizers by an estimated 30%. This contributes to a number of benefits, including improved plant performance (as seen in the photos below from Dassel, Minnesota), as well as a positive yield response.

In the corn trial below from Ohio, a fall application of TITAN XC-treated dry fertilizer led to an average yield increase of +8.3 bushels per acre over 6 replications as compared to untreated dry fertilizer.

In a corn trial from Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Hopkinsville, Kentucky research farm, treating dry fertilizer with TITAN XC led to a yield increase of 6 bushels or more per acre compared to untreated fertilizer. This was true whether the fertilizer was applied at the full rate (300 lbs/acres) or the reduced rate (270 lbs/acre). What is most notable here is that there was no real difference in corn yield between the two different rates of untreated fertilizer (270 or 300 lbs/acre).

Sometimes the answer is not more fertilizer, but rather greater efficiency. By employing TITAN XC to increase the breakdown or mineralization of the P and K nutrients spread in fall, more will be available to the crop next year when it needs it, which can lead to better yield results.

Learn more about TITAN XC by downloading the TITAN XC fall fertilizer booklet.

Terramar: Top 10 Field Performance Photos of 2023

July 5, 2023 — Posted By Agricen

Terramar Top 10 Many agricultural areas across the United States are facing weather-related challenges, but there are still opportunities to make the most out of what Mother Nature is dishing out.

Terramar, a new product for row crops, is formulated to help crops stand up to abiotic stresses (such as heat and dry conditions) while also increasing nutrient uptake for better plant growth.

The photos below document the performance of Terramar applications made on corn, soybeans and wheat earlier this season, and they show some very strong visual results.

With another opportunity to apply Terramar now here (this time with fungicide or plant nutrition products on reproductive-stage corn and soybeans), we wanted to share these images as a reminder of the potential in this year's crop.

Here are the top 10 Terramar field pictures of 2023, so far:

1. Terramar on Corn – Ferris, Illinois

Dry conditions (No rain for 11-12 days). Terramar was applied at 1 pint/acre. Photos taken May 26, 2023, 8 days after application. 15 plants per bundle.

2. Terramar on Corn – Muscoda, Wisconsin

Corn crop planted April 29, 2023. Dry conditions (2.2” precipitation since planting). Terramar was applied at 1 quart/acre at V5. Photo taken June 21, 2023, two weeks after Terramar application.

3. Terramar on Soybeans – Farmington, Illinois

Terramar was applied at 1 pint/acre on May 29, 2023. Photo taken 16 days after Terramar application.

4. Terramar on Soybeans – East Chain, Minnesota

Terramar was applied at 1 quart/acre. Photos taken 5 days after Terramar application.

5. Terramar on Wheat – Kentucky

Terramar was applied twice, each time at 1 pint/acre prior to a sub-freezing event. Joint (head) was above ground. Photos taken mid-May.

6. Terramar on Wheat – Oberlin, Kansas

Terramar was applied at 1 quart/acre on March 24, 2023. Very dry conditions. Photos taken May 4, 2023, 53 days after Terramar application.

7. Terramar on Corn – Fairview, Illinois

Terramar applied at 1 pint/acre at V4 (left) & at 1pint vs 1 quart (right).

8. Terramar on Corn – Bennet, Nebraska

Terramar was applied at 1 pint/acre on May 30, 2023. Photo taken June 20, 2023, 21 days after Terramar application. Some leaf rolling observed on untreated corn. 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

9. Terramar on Corn – Ferris, Illinois

Terramar was applied at 1 quart/acre on on June 3, 2023. Photos taken 5 days after Terramar application. Plants taken 20 rows into each block; 1 plant every 20 steps. 5 plants per bundle.

10. Terramar on Corn – Parker, South Dakota

Terramar was applied at 1 quart/acre at V4 on June 7, 2023. Photos taken 8 days after Terramar application.

*Bonus Photo* Terramar on Corn – Arcadia, Indiana

Terramar was applied at 1 quart/acre at V4-5.

*Bonus Photo* Terramar on Wheat – Western Kansas

Terramar was applied at 1 quart/acre at first green-up (Feekes 3-4) on March 21, 2023. Cold and dry conditions. Photo taken 54 days after application.

Learn more about Terramar by downloading the Terramar row crop bulletin.

Getting Maximum Efficiency with TITAN XC on Fall Fertilizer

October 27, 2021 — Posted By Agricen

When faced with higher fertilizer prices, many who apply fall fertilizer will wonder if reducing their fertilizer rates makes sense in light of current farm economics.

It's practical to fertilize this fall to meet the anticipated needs of next year's crop, taking into consideration local recommendations based on soil tests. Reducing fertilizer rates can potentially increase an existing problem, namely the limited availability of nutrients from applied fertilizer in the first season after application. Only about 10-30% of applied P and 20-60% of applied K is typically recovered, or used by the growing crop, in that first season.

To get the most utilization out of dry fertilizers, many farms turn to TITAN XC as a tool to maximize fertilizer efficiency without requiring a big investment. This is important whether a full rate or reduced rate of fertilizer is applied.

In the corn trial below from Nutrien Ag Solutions's Hopkinsville, KY research farm, treating dry fertilizer with TITAN XC (1 pint/ton) led to a yield increase of 6 bushels or more compared to untreated fertilizer. This was true whether the fertilizer was applied at the full rate (300 lbs/acres) or the reduced rate (270 lbs/acre).

You can see this data and more by watching our short TITAN XC video.

TITAN XC is a valuable tool for increasing nutrient efficiency. By speeding up nutrient release from P and K fertilizers, it can play a key role in the uptake of applied nutrients, helping growers be more efficient with their fertilizer application while also optimizing yield.

Learn more by visiting the TITAN XC Hub.

Yield Increase in Corn and Soybean with TITAN XC on Dry Fertilizer

October 27, 2020 — Posted By Agricen

Recent corn and soybean trials from the Bruce Research Farm at Hopkinsville, Kentucky highlight the opportunities for yield success with TITAN XC on dry fertilizer.

In corn, a replicated trial demonstrated a yield increase of +9.5 bushels per acre when dry fertilizer (300# 9-23-30) was treated with TITAN XC and compared to untreated dry fertilizer, with a calculated net return of $31.48 per acre. (The ROI calculation assumes corn at $4.05 per bushel.)

Even with a reduced rate of fertilizer (90% of the standard rate, or 270#), treating the fertilizer with TITAN XC produced a yield increase of +6.3 bushels per acre, for a net return of $24.93 per acre.

In soybeans, TITAN XC was applied to 200# of 9-23-30 fertilizer. Similar to the corn trials, it led to a yield increase of +9.5 bushels per acre compared to the untreated dry fertilizer, for a net return of $94.99 per acre (assuming soybeans at $10.50 per bushel).

Dry fertilizer is one of the largest investments made in a grower's production program each season, but it can also be highly inefficient. Growers, therefore, can benefit from technologies that enhance their dry fertilizer efficiency.

With a proven track record of performance over a range of geographies, genetics and management systems, TITAN XC is designed to help you get the most out of your applied dry fertilizer. Utilizing unique biochemistry to increase nutrient availability from treated prills, it can enhance the efficiency of dry phosphorus and potassium blends—turning your dry fertilizer into a driver of performance for your farm.

With TITAN XC on your dry fertilizer, more of your applied nutrients will be available to your crop, which can help you drive yield on every acre.

Learn more by downloading the TITAN XC fall fertilizer booklet.

Biocatalyst Technologies a Good Match with Poultry Manures and Litters

May 15, 2018 — Posted By Agricen

Poultry manures and litters are an excellent source of crop nutrients—ones that can be more easily accessed by the crop when EXTRACT PBA, which contains ACCOMPLISH nutrient release technology, is used. In the corn trials below, this biocatalyst technology maximized nutrient release from poultry manures so that more nutrients were available to the crop, leading to higher corn yields.

In a trial conducted in Kentucky, EXTRACT was spread with UAN over turkey manure in the fall. Soil samples from the treated and untreated plots were taken in January, and showed an increase in the availability of many nutrients with the EXTRACT application. At harvest there was a 16.9 bu/acre corn yield increase where EXTRACT had been applied.

Research by the University of Arkansas also shows that biocatalyst technology can improve corn yields in poultry manure applications. In these replicated corn trials, ACCOMPLISH was applied over fresh and pelletized poultry manure at broadcast in the spring. At harvest, the biocatalyst treatment was associated with a corn yield increase of 30.7 bu/acre where fresh poultry manure had been used and 32.8 bu/acre where pelletized manure had been applied. Both findings were statistically significant (P≤0.1).

For convenience of application, EXTRACT can be applied with burndown herbicides or with pre-emergent herbicides in a fertility program with poultry manure or litter.

Learn more about using biocatalyst technology to release nutrition from poultry manures and litters, swine manure, and cattle manure by viewing our manure studies.

Early Wheat Results with Extract PBA

March 21, 2016 — Posted By Agricen

Burndown season is here, and that offers growers a great opportunity to benefit from an application of Extract PBA on each acre.

Below is a photo taken in early March from an ongoing wheat trial in Hardin, Kentucky. As you can see, the plant on the right–where Extract PBA was applied with a pre-emerge herbicide–is better positioned to realize top-end yield potential.

Extract PBA is an excellent tool for accelerating improving residue breakdown, nutrient release and nutrient mineralization. It can be tank mixed with herbicides, including glyphosate, and applied with spring burndown. It can also be broadcast with liquid fertilizers.

Position yourself for a great season by including Extract PBA in your pre-emerge program this spring.

Learn more about the benefits of Extract PBA by downloading the product booklet.

<< Prev

Next >>

Blog

Subscribe to Email Updates

Sign Up for Agricen’s Blog to stay up to date on the latest news.

Seeing a Clear Difference in Early Wheat Growth with TITAN XC

Looking Beyond Applied Nitrogen for Enhanced Nutrient Use Efficiency

[Interview] A New Advancement in Sustainable Nitrogen Management

Corn (104)

TITAN (73)

EXTRACT PBA (68)

Soybeans (60)

Accomplish LM (36)

Dry Fertilizer (37)

Ag Biologicals/Biostimulants (30)

ACCOMPLISH MAX (27)

Indiana (26)

Corporate & Community (18)

Crop Residue (21)

Wheat (21)

Abiotic stress (19)

Videos (18)

Grower Stories (18)

Iowa (17)

Illinois (15)

TERRAMAR (17)

Sustainability (14)

Michigan (13)

Starter/In-Furrow Applications (12)

Webinars (10)

Minnesota (9)

Nebraska (9)

Ohio (9)

Guest Blogs (7)

Kentucky (8)

NCGA (8)

North Carolina (8)

MARITIME (7)