Determination of Optimum Rate and Growth Stage for Foliar‐Applied Phosphorus in Corn

Abstract

Foliar applications of fertilizer phosphorus (P) could improve use efficiency by minimizing soil applications. Nine experiments were conducted in 2002 and 2003 to determine foliar P rates and appropriate growth stages for application. Treatments comprised of 10 factorial combinations of three foliar P application timings and four rates of foliar P. Foliar application times were V4 (collar of fourth leaf visible), V8 (collar of eighth leaf visible), and VT (last branch of the tassel completely visible but silks not yet emerged) corn growth stages. Foliar P rates were 0, 2, 4, and 8 kg ha⁻¹. Foliar P applied at the VT growth stage improved grain and forage P concentration, which was reflected in increased grain yield in some of the experiments. A foliar P rate of 8 kg ha⁻¹ improved yield to some extent and forage and grain P concentration more than the smaller rates. The results suggest that foliar P could be used as an efficient P‐management tool in corn when applied at the appropriate growth stage and rate.

Keywords:

• Bt corn
• corn
• corn growth stage
• foliar fertilization
• KH₂PO₄
• phosphorus

Notes

Contribution from the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station