Solutions for Challenging Growing Conditions and Stressed Crops

Solutions for Challenging Growing
Conditions and Stressed Crops
There are many factors outside of the grower’s control that influence
the growth of a crop- some factors increase yield potential (i.e., favorable
moisture and temperatures) while others may reduce yield potential (i.e.,
hail, frost, insect damage). When a crop is under an environmental stress or
has been damaged, it must compensate by expending more energy. This
energy output may be the cause of reduced yields at the end of the season,
since the crop could not convert that energy to grain. An application of
foliar NDemand ® powered by Nitamin ® 30L fertilizer can often give a crop
a much-needed boost of nitrogen and help it overcome stress while
expending less energy. Examples of environmentally-induced stress can be
soil-based root limitations caused by subsoil hardpans, acidity, or salinity;
waterlogged soils that are rapidly denitrifying; mild to moderate drought
stress; disease and insect pressure; storm damage; and cold, wet conditions.
Cold wet soils:
Even though nutrients may be present in sufficient quantities in the soil, cold wet conditions can
restrict root growth and impede nutrient uptake. A foliar application of NDemand 30L can
sidestep those soil limiting factors and provide a quick boost to young developing plants.
Results can be dramatic, and the head-start provided by NDemand 30L reaps benefits such as
increased yields and higher biomass production.
N losses caused by leaching rains or irrigation:
Water is essential for plant growth but when it moves down through the soil profile, it also
carries nitrates with it. Young plants or seedlings with a limited root system have minimal
capacity to acquire those leached nutrients. NDemand 30L can provide a readily available supply
of N to boost photosynthesis, increasing the plants ability to build longer and stronger roots. A
larger root system allows the plant to increase its mineral nutrient uptake and build plant
structure. Furthermore, many yield determining factors occur during the plants juvenile phase,
so anything that boosts nutrient availability and growth at that time can have positive affects on
yield later on.

Corn hybrids with slow rates of root growth or low nutrient uptake rates:
Not all hybrids are created equal, and young plants with slower growth rates are more apt to need
a boost compared to hybrids that are capable of mining more soil volume with an expanded root
system. NDemand 30L nitrogen can help those varieties that have good agronomic production
potential but whose early growth may be slowed due to genetic limitations. An application at
V6-V8 may aid the corn just as it is entering the phase of rapid nitrogen uptake. This is by no
means an exhaustive list of opportunities to use NDemand 30L fertilizer. In fact, it is important
to note that stress factors are not the only time to use it for boosting yields. But when you do see
crop stress, an application of NDemand 30L nitrogen is a powerful tool to improve crop
performance and avoid unnecessary yield losses.
Crop staging and the rationale for timely foliar nitrogen:
During the early to mid-tiller stage of growth in wheat N plays a key role in determining the
crops yield potential due to its influence on head formation. Lack of available soil N or poor soil
conditions limiting plant uptake cannot be made up for later in the season. NDemand 30L timed
with the herbicide spray fits this physiological window and helps ensure that early season N
deficiencies do not become a yield limiting factor.
Likewise on wheat varieties where grain protein is
desired it is essential to have supplemental N absorbed
and in the plant at anthesis (flowering). Late season top
dress applications will only work if followed by
sufficient rain or irrigation to place plant available N into
the rootzone during this critical growth phase. Foliar
application can be timed precisely to this growth stage
with increases in grain protein content of 1-1.5% often observed. Ear formation in corn begins
around V6-V8. Lack of available N or soil moisture at this stage may have a profound impact on
final yield. As with wheat, NDemand 30L applied with Roundup fits well into this crop nutrient
demand period. Recent work with late season applications of NDemand 30L with strobilurin
fungicides has shown an additive effect on yield promotion
Safe, effective, economical, tank mix friendly and easy to handle
NDemand, Ideas to Grow With and the Wilbur-Ellis logo are trademarks of Wilbur-
Ellis Company. Nitamin is a trademark of Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC.