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Advice on late application of nitrogen

Farmers who’ve had to plant corn late have a small window of opportunity for applying nitrogen if their plants are extremely deficient. University of Illinois soil fertility specialist Fabian Fernandez says the key is to apply nitrogen in a way that causes the least possible damage, “Surface applications with drop nozzles between rows, that’s probably the best way to do it, or, if you’re using UAN, injecting that UAN in the middle of the rows. If the plants are getting too big you can cause some root damage by injecting the UAN and so maybe an application on the surface may be the best option.”

But, it needs moisture to become effective, Fernandez says, “If you are applying it on the surface, make sure that – if you can – do it right before a rain event so that rain will incorporate it into the soil.”

Fernandez says the soil will need at least a half-inch of soaking rain. Yellow corn at this stage of the season does not need a full rate of nitrogen to bring it back. And, Fernandez adds, if corn has already tasseled, it’s too late to apply nitrogen.