What is starter fertilizer

If a soil test taken just prior to establishment indicates the need for additional or large amounts of fertilizer, it is best to split the fertilizer application with the bulk of the nutrient needs met with broadcast fertilizer or manure, as opposed to meeting all the nutrient needs with a starter. In this situation, a small amount of the total fertilizer requirement, such as per acre, should be banded at planting or applied to the surface to meet the immediate needs of the crop as it is established.

Applying a starter fertilizer with small grains is not as critical to the success of the crop as it is with corn production. However, the addition of a starter can be very important for winter grains grown on soils with marginal soil test levels or if the crop is planted late, when soils are cold and wet.

Depending on the fertilizer requirements indicated by the soil test, all the fertilizer may be broadcast prior to planting or a portion may be applied with the drill and the remainder broadcast. However, fertilizer injury to the seedling may occur if too much starter is applied with the seed. The following are some guidelines for using a starter with small grains. Use a high-phosphorus, non-urea-containing fertilizer material as a starter.

In general, using a starter fertilizer is not as common when growing grain or forage sorghum. Starter fertilizers and rates similar to those used for corn can be used with sorghum when planted with a row planter see section entitled Corn for additional information , but if the crop is drilled, starter fertilizers in the row should be avoided to prevent injury.

Soybeans, like other crops, require sound fertility programs. However, since soybean seedlings are extremely sensitive to fertilizer injury, it generally is not recommended that a starter fertilizer be used at planting.

Also, since soybean planting usually occurs when the soils are warmer, plant growth and nutrient mobility and uptake from the bulk soil are generally not a problem. If the soil test recommends adding nutrients, it is best to apply the needed fertilizer before seeding.

However, growers using a row planter could place a band of starter at least 2 inches to the side of the seed. Starter fertilizer placed any closer than 2 inches can severely injure the seedling. Under all conditions, do not drill fertilizer with the seed or use "pop-up" fertilizer with soybeans.

Prepared by Douglas B. Beegle, professor of agronomy, Gregory W. Roth, professor of agronomy, and Dwight D. Lingenfelter, assistant extension agronomist. Let's Stay Connected. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. View our privacy policy. Thank you for your submission! Home Starter Fertilizer.

Starter Fertilizer. Starter Fertilizer Benefits Starter fertilizers are most beneficial when crops are planted into cold, wet soils in early spring or late fall, regardless of soil fertility.

Using a starter is especially important in conservation tillage systems. Crops planted in late spring or early fall generally do not require a starter fertilizer unless soil fertility levels are low. Starter fertilizers are a small amount of fertilizer applied near the seed to meet the demands of the seedling for readily available nutrients until the plant's root system develops.

They also enhance the development of the emerging seedling. Nitrogen N and phosphorus P are the key nutrient components in a starter fertilizer. Phosphorus is nonmobile in the soil, thus, undeveloped seedling roots have difficulty obtaining the necessary amounts for proper growth.

Also, phosphorus promotes vigorous root growth. Corn is the most responsive crop to starter fertilizer use. The response of forage crops to starter fertilizers has not been as consistent as with corn. Sorghum usually does not require a starter fertilizer. Small grains will respond to starter fertilizer especially on marginal fertility soils and when crops are planted in late fall.

In general, using a starter fertilizer when planting soybeans is not recommended. Materials Generally, any high-quality, complete fertilizer that contains at least nitrogen and phosphorus will work as a starter. On high phosphorus soils an N only starter will usually provide similar starter response without adding extra P to an already high P soil.

Many different fertilizer analyses can be used as starters. For a starter effect alone, the analysis is not critical as long as it meets the criteria described above. Where P or K is recommended on the soil test, choose an analysis that best matches the recommendations. For N only starters, ammonium sulfate S and ammonium nitrate are good choices.

Solid and fluid forms of starter fertilizer, applied at similar rates and placement, provide the same results. Monoammonium phosphate MAP; and ammonium polyphosphate based fertilizers make excellent starter fertilizer materials. Use caution with starter fertilizers that contain diammonium phosphate and especially urea because both of these materials can cause seedling injury.

Keep the rate low and do not place directly with the seed. If micronutrients are required, they can usually be applied in the starter fertilizer. Rates For corn, if the fertility level is good, a small amount of fertilizer about pounds of starter per acre will provide an adequate starter response. Reduce the rate if starter is placed closer than 2 inches from the seed. Placement The recommended placement of the starter for corn or sorghum is 2 inches beside and 2 inches below the seed.

Do not use a starter if sorghum is drilled. Starter can also be applied directly with corn seed as a pop-up, however, avoid urea and DAP, and keep the rate low.

Starter for forage crops should be banded 1 inch directly below the seeds. For small grains, the starter is usually drilled directly with the seed. What is Starter Fertilizer? When to use Starter Fertilizer A starter fertilizer is most beneficial when the crop is planted into cold, wet soils, regardless of the total fertility status of the soil.

How Starter Fertilizer Affects Plant Growth The use of starter fertilizer enhances crop growth primarily because it places a readily available supply of plant nutrients especially phosphorus in a position where they are easily accessible to the limited root system of a seedling. Use of Starter Fertilizers in Agronomic Crop Production It is well established that the use of starter fertilizer is a beneficial and economic practice in Pennsylvania and surrounding states, especially for corn production.

Corn A properly managed corn starter-fertilizer program can be a positive step toward improving yields and profitability. Materials Any high-quality, complete fertilizer that contains at least nitrogen and phosphorus will work as a starter fertilizer. Rates In general, only a small amount of fertilizer is required to get a starter response if the soil fertility levels test within the optimum or higher range. For example, if pounds per acre of a fertilizer with an analysis of is applied, then: x 0.

Placement The tillage system has very little effect on materials and rates used for starter fertilizers, however the type of tillage system may significantly influence placement. Forages The response of forage crops to starter fertilizer has not been as consistent as with corn. Materials As with corn, fertilizers with high-phosphorus contents, such as , , , and , can serve as a starter fertilizer. Small Grains Applying a starter fertilizer with small grains is not as critical to the success of the crop as it is with corn production.

Sorghum In general, using a starter fertilizer is not as common when growing grain or forage sorghum. Soybeans Soybeans, like other crops, require sound fertility programs. Dwight Lingenfelter. Douglas Beegle, Ph. Why do we need this? Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area.

Related Products. Can You Apply Limestone in the Winter? Soil Sampling Videos. Labels show the ratios of N-P-K in order included in the bag of fertilizer. Since phosphorus is the most important nutrient for root development, it is the highest number in a bag of a starter fertilizer. Once the roots are established, nitrogen becomes the most important nutrient for the growth of the aboveground parts. Apply a starter fertilizer before turf establishment and incorporate it to a depth of 2 to 4 inches 5 to 8 cm.

If you had your soil professionally tested, the lab will provide guidance on what to apply. High yield corn response to applied phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur in Nebraska.

Xerinda, M. Mamo, C. No-till row crop response to starter fertilizer in eastern Nebraska: i. Irrigated and rainfed corn. With a focus on industry applications and research, the online program is designed with maximum flexibility for today's working professionals. Skip to main content. Figure 1. Liquid fertilizer manifold used on a planter for applying starter fertilizer. Photo by Charles Shapiro.

Brian Krienke - Soils Extension Educator. Laura Thompson - Extension Educator. Share Tweet Email. Updated April 21, As you evaluate the cost of inputs you may use this spring, consider this: Only focusing on expenses without subsequent income changes is misleading. There are two main reasons to use a starter: The best reason is when soil tests indicate the field is deficient in one or more nutrients, and these nutrients are relatively easy to apply with the planter.

More articles in this series. Nebraska Extension Educator Laura Thompson developed an interactive tool based on Nebraska On-Farm Research Network Starter Fertilizer Studies, to look at cost and expected return on investment for starter fertilizers.

Check out this tool for easily exploring several scenarios, costs, and potential yield responses, here. Soil Fertility.