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Project Abstract

Yield trends continue to improve with the adoption of better genetics and agronomic practices, leaving soils deficient of nutrients in critical periods. Relatively immobile nutrients may be accumulating near the soil surface (referred to as nutrient stratification) due to the adoption of zero tillage and shallow banding.

This study determines if the periodic (once every three-years) deep banded application of immobile nutrients (P, K & Cu) can reduce nutrient stratification while improving nutrient uptake and crop production on land previously under direct seeding for >10 years.

Project Details
Timeline 2018-2021
Principal Investigator: Vance Yaremko
SARDA Ag Research
Project Contact: Mike Gretzinger
Funded By:

Alberta Wheat commission (25%), Alberta Canola Producers Commission (25%), Government of Alberta (25%), Innotech Alberta (25%), Sarda Ag Research (matching), Farming Smarter (matching)


Project Objectives

Short-term Objectives
Long-term Objectives
  • Determine the effect of deep and shallow banding of immobile nutrients (P, K & Cu) on a) crop growth and yield, and b) nutrient uptake
  • Optimize growth and yield of canola, wheat, and pea.
  • Effect of deep and shallow banding of immobile nutrients (P, K & Cu) on nutrient availability in soils at 0-3- and 3-6-inch depths; and on nutrient leaching
  • Improve sustainability of crop production under direct seeding systems.
  • Determine the nutrient leaching in sub-soil layers (6-12 inches soil depth) for deep and shallow banding of nutrients
  • Reduce nutrient stratification to enhance nutrient availability to crops.

  • Communicate information to producers and extension professionals, by newsletters, reports, extension events, presentations, publications, and electronic media.
  • Enhance nutrient uptake and use efficiency by crops.


Methods

Small plot replicated (treatments arranged in RCBD with 4 replications) trials were conducted on the farmland previously under direct seeding for >10 years. The three study sites (Falher, Vegreville & Lethbridge) covered different soils (brown, black, and grey) and growing season conditions (long, medium, and short) to represent diverse soil types and growing conditions of Alberta. Effects of one-time deep banding (3 x recommended rate at start of three-year study in 2018) versus annual shallow banding (current practice; recommended rates applied each year for 3 years) of immobile nutrients (P, K, and Cu) were compared for 3 years. The study was conducted for canola, wheat, and pea crops.

Collaborators or Locations
Black Soil Dry Vegreville, AB
Brown Soil Dry Falher, AB
Grey Wooded Soil Dry Lethbridge, AB

Treatments
  • Check: No P, K, or Cu
  • Shallow Band P: Recommended P rate (annual)
  • Shallow Band K: Recommended K rate (annual)
  • Shallow Band Cu: Recommended Cu rate (annual)
  • Shallow Band P+K+Cu: Recommended P+K+Cu (annual)
  • Deep Band P: Recommended P x 3 rate (year one)
  • Deep Band K: Recommended K x 3 rate (year one)
  • Deep Band Cu: Recommended Cu x 3 rate (year one)
  • Deep Band P+K+Cu: Recommended P+K+Cu x 3 rate (year one)


Measurements

  • Plant counts
  • NDVI
  • Plant height
  • Biomass
  • Yield
  • Concentration of N, K, Cu, N and S in whole plants and seeds
  • Soil samples

Read the Report!

Deep-Banding and Shallow-Banding of Immobile Nutrients for Crops and Soil Nutrients
Quick View

Evaluating the difference in effect between once-in-three-year deep-banding and annual shallow-banding of potassium, phosphorus, and copper for crop growth and soil nutrients.

Recommendations

Crop response was generally not linked to the deep or shallow placement of P, K, and PKCu. Changes in nutrient concentrations of seed and biomass of crops in response to nutrient additions were not consistent as they increased and decreased in different cases. Occasionally, soil P and Cu concentrations increased in response to their additions, but there was no change from K applications.

Overall, either once in three-years deep banding or annual shallow banding method can be used considering the logistics at the farm and prices for fertilizers. If the available seeding drill does not have an adequate number of tanks to apply different fertilizers at seeding and minimizing seeding time is helpful, deep placement once in few years may be used. But when the available drill has a sufficient number of tanks, and there is enough time for seeding at a farm, shallow annual applications are appropriate.

Project Playlist
A Deep Look at Deep Banding
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When we started this project, yield trends were improving with the adoption of better genetics and agronomic practices. The downside was that soils were turning up deficient of nutrients in critical periods. Our hypothesis was that immobile nutrients were accumulating near the surface of the soil.

Deep Banding Update
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The Deep Banding Immobile Nutrients project is more than two-thirds of the way through and we have some preliminary observations.

Deep topic delves below the soil surface
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Farming Smarter started into a three-year project led by SARDA this past spring to see if deep banding some nutrients might make a difference to crop health.

Soil sampling in May
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Farming Smarter employees got their hands dirty with their most recent foray into the world of soil as they began preparing for the Deep Banding of Immobile Nutrients project.