A winning fertiliser combination for increased crop yield and profitability
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Growers looking to increase yield at winter planting in late April can look, with confidence, to a recent grower demonstration strip trial held under field conditions in Queensland.
The trial, carried out by Metegen director of research, Kerrie Toohey, in conjunction with Mort & Co saw the latter company's product, Terrus granule fertiliser tested via an in-furrow planting application.
The trial aimed to determine yield response and profitability in dryland sorghum by comparing blends and standalone additions of Terrus and starter fertiliser.
The trial was conducted in the summer of 2023-24 at Marlisle, Dalby, in what turned out to be a higher-than-average rainfall season for the region.
The results indicated that Terrus and a blend of Terrus and starter fertiliser can be used successfully in sorghum. In terms of net income, the blend of Terrus and starter fertiliser outperformed all other treatments, including a standalone treatment of starter fertiliser at 40kg/ha.
The four trial plots produced the following results:
- Starter fertiliser spread at a rate of 40 kilograms per hectare, yielded 4.79 tonnes of sorghum per hectare.
- Terrus spread at at 50kg/ha, yielded 5.08T/ha, for a net income of $126/ha, which was six per cent above the result achieved with only starter fertiliser.
- Terrus spread at 100kg/ha, yielded 5.17T/ha, for a net income of $133/ha, 8pc above pure starter fertiliser.
- Terrus and starter spread at 25kg/ha and 20kg/ha respectively, yielded 5.22T/ha, for a net income of $162.50, which was 9pc above pure starter fertiliser.
Manager (Fertiliser Sales) for Mort & Co, Craig Foreman, said the trial work showed there was an opportunity to cut starter fertiliser costs by up to $12 per hectare, while still being able to grow the same yield or higher when it was used in combination with Terrus as opposed to on its own.
"When the trial work with Terrus started, it was with the thought of using it as a straight replacement for starter fertiliser. We found that in a wet year Terrus, by itself, was limiting crop production, while in a dry year it would come out in front," Mr Foreman said.
It was for this reason that the combination trials were conducted.
"We trialed two straight treatments that yielded well, but the blends were the top performers, therefore telling us that results need not be seasonally driven."
Mr Foreman said Terrus is a low-analysis, slow-release product, which drip feeds crops throughout the year, whereas synthetic fertiliser goes into the soil solution as soon as it gets wet.
"Terrus granules are only partially dispersed into the soil when it's dry, therefore reducing nitrogen leaching from the soil. It can also increase root hair development, which is key for a plant to be able to forage for phosphorus and nutrients in the soil.
"This combination isn't just sorghum-specific, it's for any time you plant a crop. You'll receive all the benefits of manure, but with existing fertiliser equipment you can place these products in a precise manner to the plant seed to improve the transfer of nutrients to the seed.
"The results we've seen in a summer crop apply to winter crops such as legumes, cereals, and pastures.
He said Terrus isn't limited to use with starter fertiliser, but rather any pre-planting fertiliser the grower puts down, making it an ideal option for those that pre-fertilise their country."
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