Titan XC and Extract PBA both help growers get more out of their fertilizer investments. But is there any benefit when they are applied in the same growing season? These trials show how Titan XC on fall dry fertilizer followed by Extract PBA broadcast in the spring with pre-emerge herbicide can lead to improved yields and return on investment for the grower.

All three on-farm trials—two corn, one soybean—were conducted in South Sioux City, Nebraska, to look at the addition of Titan XC and Extract PBA to the grower's standard practice (GSP). Titan XC was applied at 1 pint per ton to dry fertilizer that was spread in the fall of 2019. This was followed in the spring of 2020 by Extract PBA applied at 1 gallon per acre with pre-emerge herbicide. 

In both corn trials, fall-applied Titan XC followed by spring-applied Extract PBA led to a yield increase of over +12 bushels per acre, which was accompanied by a positive ROI.

Crop residue left on the soil surface after harvest can present both challenges and opportunities going into the next planting season. Potential tie-up of important nutrients, delayed nutrient recycling, and difficulty getting pre- and post-applied weed control coverage are some challenges growers may face. However, great opportunities for nutrient release, organic matter influences and soil moisture preservation can be captured if crop residues are properly managed.

Harvest and tillage equipment that mechanically break down residue are useful management tools, but adding a biochemical tool in the form of Extract PBA can also help growers manage and even benefit from surface crop residue, regardless of their tillage practices.

"Whether you want to release nutrients from the soil or break down your crop residue, Extract PBA does all the heavy lifting, delivering consistent ROI to the farmer," says Michael Bern, Nutrien Ag Solutions Location Manager in Galesberg, Illinois.

After planting, there are still important decisions corn growers must make to ensure a good harvest. One key decision is how to manage a sidedress nitrogen application in a way that maximizes N use efficiency and increases yields, particularly during periods of low or declining commodity prices.

When planning a sidedress N application, there are two key points that growers should consider to ensure maximum corn performance and yield:

Results of an on-farm trial in Nebraska show the ability of Accomplish LM to help corn growers maximize the yield potential of their crops. 

In the trial, which took place in Beatrice, Nebraska, adding Accomplish LM to the grower's standard fertilizer practice increased corn yield by an average of 13.16 bushels per acre, for a profit of $36.71 per acre.

In this corn field trial from Wood River, Nebraska, a spring application of Extract PBA led to a corn yield result that was 32 bu/a better than check at harvest. Assuming $3.10 bushel corn, the yield result from this trial translates into an ROI of $87.20 per acre.

Growers who spread dry fertilizer on corn fields going to soybeans may want to consider the results of this Titan XC trial from Cozad, Nebraska. In a test plot, treating dry fertilizer with Titan XC provided a 14 bushel/acre yield advantage in soybeans compared to the soybean plots sown with untreated fertilizer.

In a Dyna-Gro corn plot harvested near Cozad, Nebraska, treating MicroEssentials SZ (MESZ) fertilizer with Titan XC led to a 14.4 bushel per acre increase in corn yield compared to untreated MESZ. The corn was harvested on September 20, 2017.

For growers who are applying a starter fertilizer this season, adding a fertilizer biocatalyst like Accomplish LM can be an excellent way to enhance a starter application and set the stage for a great yield.

Accomplish LM speeds nutrient mineralization to get nutrients in the right form for plant uptake, while also improving the root systems of young seedlings to facilitate nutrient and water uptake. In these Nebraska and South Dakota trials (below), adding Accomplish LM to starter fertilizer increased corn yields by 8 to 10 bushels per acre. 

Accomplish LM is a fantastic tool for soybean growers who want to boost plant performance. 

Recent harvest data from Nebraska show impressive results when Accomplish LM is used on soybeans in-furrow as a starter, with a 13.8 bu/acre soybean yield increase compared to untreated acres.

Third-generation farmer Carl Lamb  grows corn and soybeans in Dixon County, Nebraska. He farms nearly 3,000 acres on an operation started by his wife’s grandfather.

“It’s a challenging time to be a grower right now,” says Carl. “The inherent cost of putting a crop in today is huge.” 

Carl tried Titan to increase the nutrient availability in his soil and improve the health of his crops. He was impressed with both the results and the ROI.