Results from two years of university research trials show a foliar application of Nitamin^® 30L Steady Delivery^® nitrogen applied with a foliar fungicide increases yields an average of 10 bushels per acre (bu/A). Georgia-Pacific Plant Nutrition, manufacturer of Nitamin brand fertilizers, reports the results were compiled from 22 comparison studies at three Midwestern universities in the 2008 and 2009 crop seasons.

The studies were conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri, Iowa State University and Southern Illinois University. The highest gains from the studies came from University of Missouri, wherethe fertilizer alone produced yield increases of 15 to 28 bushels per acre (bu/A) when applied at tassel (VT stage). When Nitamin 30L fertilizer was applied at one gallon per acre (gal/A) with Headline^® fungicide, researchers recorded yield boosts of 23 bu/A in 2008 and 27 bu/A in 2009, compared to untreated checks.

“The foliage was greener on the Nitamin 30L nitrogen-applied corn compared to the control plot, so we could tell that the nitrogen uptake by the plant was occurring,” says Dr. Kelly Nelson, University of Missouri research agronomist.

Nitamin 30L fertilizer, an innovative blend of methylene urea, urea and triazone, contains 30 percent N, of which 60 percent is slowly available. The remaining 40 percent is a readily available N component. Nitamin 30L fertilizer has a lower salt index and biuret content than urea, reducing the risk of burn and making it ideal for foliar applications.

“The unique formulation of the Steady-Delivery nitrogen remains on the foliage longer than many other nitrogen sources, which expands the window for foliar N absorption by the crop,” says Bruce Prock, Georgia-Pacific Plant Nutrition senior technical service associate.

University studies

Studies at Iowa State University (ISU) have shown a continued, steady uptake of N by corn between 60 and 110 days after planting. This uptake averaged more than two pounds per acre (lbs/A) of N per day for 50 days. Therefore, an application of Nitamin 30L nitrogen at this stage can boost yield and crop quality.

“A foliar application of Nitamin 30L just prior to this phase of development can be ideal for plant growth and health,” Prock says. “It also coincides with most fungicide applications, so a tank mix combination of nutrients and crop protection products eliminates the need for extra trips across the field.”

Dr. Bryan Young, SIU research agronomist, says that one lb/A of foliar-applied nitrogen replaced up to eight lbs/A of the soil-applied nutrient in his research, but no more than 25 lbs/A of preplant N was replaced with foliar N application. He added that he is most excited about the possibility of a foliar application of nitrogen not only enhancing in-season vitality of the crop, but also how the practice might reduce some of the needed pre-plant fertilizer rates for greater environmental stewardship and profitability.

“There’s an opportunity to learn more about these controlled-release nitrogen formulations to learn how they fit into an overall crop management plan that leads to more efficient use of nitrogen,” Dr. Young says. There’s a lot of value and potential for their use to enhance growers’ efficiency in using the nutrient.”

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About Nitamin^® fertilizers

Nitamin^® 30L and Nitamin Nfusion^® Steady-Delivery^® liquid slow-release nitrogen products from Georgia-Pacific Plant Nutrition provide a steady supply of nitrogen to the plant, minimizing nitrogen fluctuations that have a negative impact on plant growth and quality. Nitamin 30L, a unique blend of slowly available and readily available nitrogen components, was developed as a foliar-applied fertilizer for use on crops and turfgrass and can be applied with many crop protection products. Nitamin Nfusion was designed to be blended with quick-release, soil-applied liquid nitrogen fertilizers to provide an economical high-efficiency nitrogen source based on seasonal crop nitrogen demand and regional growing conditions.

About Georgia-Pacific Chemicals

Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Georgia-Pacific LLC, is a global performance chemical manufacturer and marketer recognized as a leader in chemicals for building products, paper, plant nutrition, mining, oilfield, and specialty applications as well as pine chemical derivatives. It has operations in the United States, Argentina, Brazil and Chile, with joint ventures in China, India and South Africa. For additional information, please visit the company’s Web site http://www.gp.com/chemical/ or call l-866-4GP-CHEM (866-447-2436).

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The University of Missouri, Iowa State University and Southern Illinois University do not endorse Nitamin brands or Georgia-Pacific Plant Nutrition.

Nitamin, Steady-Delivery and the Georgia-Pacific logo are trademarks owned by or licensed to Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC.

Headline is a registered trademark of BASF Corporation.

©2010 Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC. All rights reserved.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Deborah Galloway
Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC
Tel: 404-652-5543
Email: Deborah.Galloway@gapac.com

Gardner N. Hatch
Gibbs & Soell Public Relations
Tel: 212-697-2600, ext. 1256
Email: ghatch@gibbs-soell.com