RESULTS OF TESTS MADE WITH PLACEMENT FERTILI- ZATION ON THE KOTKANIEMI EXPERIMENTAL FARM Yrjö Pessi, Mikko Ylänen, Auvo Leskelä and Jorma Syvälahti Rikkihappo Oy, Helsinki Received February 5, 1970 Various tests have been made with the placement of fertilizers in spring cereals in the 1960’5. On the one hand, the investigations aimed at finding out the kind of effect this method had on the crop yield, on the other hand, the technique of placement aroused interest. The results have shown that the increases in crop yields were considerable (Elo- nen et ai. 1967, Elonen 1967, Heinonen & Nieminen 1961, Köylijärvi 1969, Larpes 1966, 1968, Nieminen 1963, Nieminen et. ai. 1967, Pessi 1967), expecially on clay soils. The best depth of placement seems to be B—l 28—12 cm (Nieminen et ai. 1967). Placement also had its effect on the growth of cereals (Aura 1967, Elonen 1967, Elonen et ai. 1967), on the equality of ripening (Köylijärvi, 1969), and on the quality of the crop (Elonen 1967, Elonen et ai. 1967, Larpes 1966, Nieminen et ai. 1967). The tests were started on the Kotkaniemi Experimental Farm at Vihti in 1966. The technique of the tests can partly be seen from the headings of the Tables, but some details on the working technique are given below. The fertilizers were placed at a depth of B—lo8—10 cm. The machine used in the placement was a Juko fertilizer-cultivator. On the plots on which the fertilizers were being broadcast the mixing into the soil was made with a rigid-tine harrow. As different preparation of soils might have affected the final results, all the same phases of work were carried out on the test plots, e.g. the broadcast plots were driven with an empty fertilizer-cultivator. Rotation tests were carried out to enable exact fertilization in addition to which the ferti- lizer amounts to each plot were checked by weighing. All the tests were accompanied by effective weed control. Chlormequat (CCC) was in most cases used in connection with weed control sprayings. The plots were harvested with a combine-harvester. The monthly mean temperatures and monthly precipitations measured at a place 10 kilometres from the experimental farm are presented in the Table 1. https://www.c-info.fi/en/info/?token=oWcOUOFGmbr8WtvU.KjYKkUcER_R7YXqPWAKF9w.ziH3-QbS2mNdJN197z6pBrk7dnB0vNP36a3q3pxpIYXRbZ1WNtIQITj5uf8SFeQ3NWjznFVWBqr561NvXRDWwsV3mxppc8S5BjQ8iVWiDSSKb4fR4JEFYzibF9eV5FsG7z_pNd3L69JHbXBWILDbKuuI95VupYgJcf5wR0uxBrxHQSdagn2-uybz2QHZzc-XXcWGR9qq-3UkfDReaZrzhSfRRY4h5pLiy0Qy7zKMPPYIIgOd__fU6pqn8oE 194 Table 1. Meteorological observations at Vihti during the growing seasons 1965—69. Monthly precipitations in millimetres V VI VII VIII IX Total 1965 8.3 18.1 106.9 90.0 65.0 288.3 1966 15.1 40.7 74.9 28.3 77.7 236.7 1967 51.9 21.8 27.8 142.1 53.3 296.9 1968 70.5 30.6 67.1 111.4 74.4 354.0 1969 21.6 15.5 45.3 40.1 95.9 218.4 Average Average temperatures per month in °C Average V VI VII VIII IX (V—IX) 1965 7.7 16.0 14.6 13.4 11.6 12.66 1966 9.4 17.9 17.9 13.8 7.9 13.38 1967 10.1 14.7 17.6 15.2 10.5 13.62 1968 7.4 16.2 14.5 15.3 10.0 12.68 1969 8.7 15.3 16.2 15.2 9.6 13.00 Average 8.7 16.0 16.2 14.6 9.9 Results (Tables 2—3, p. 195—196, and tables 4—6, p. 198—202) Table 2 shows the average grain yields of two year tests in which the effect of the place- ment of different nutrients was studied. The placement of nitrogen has the greatest effect, even the placement of phosphorus and potassium seems to be of importance. Giving fertilizers together with seed also gave good results. In this case the moisture content of the crop was high at the moment of harvesting. Delay in ripening was noted throughout the growing time. Results in Table 3 throw light on the importance of the placement of phosphorus. They show that although the basic fertilization with phosphorus was rather abundant, a smaller amount of phosphorus placed separately gave increases in crop yield 95 % statistical reliability was not achieved, however. Table 4 shows how the placement of NPK-amounts of different sizes affected the crop. The placement of the smallest amount of fertilizer gave an average increase of about 600 kg/ha. The biggest amount gave an increase of 400 kg. The hectolitre-weight and the 1000-grain-weight rose simultaneously. As seen in Table 2, the placement of nitrogen proved to be the most important. Tests were accordingly arranged during four years in order to compare nitrochalk (26 % N) and urea. In the tests, fertilizers and the seed were sown with separate machines in parallel rows. Tables 5 and 6 show that the increase in crop yield caused by urea was not as good as that caused by nitrochalk. The average value of the tests in Table 5 shows a differ- ence of 380 kg per hectare, in Table 6 this difference is 100 kg. Attention has to be paid to the annual fluctuation in the difference ofcrop yields. 195 Table 2. Results of two trials in placement of nutrients in 1966—67 at Kotkaniemi. Test in 1966; Soil type sandy muddy clay. Fertilizers: nitrochalk, superphosphate, and potassium chloride. Nutrient amounts correspond to 450 kg/ha of compound fertilizer 15—20—15 (N-P2O s -K2G) which amount was used when all the nutrients were given simultaneously. Svenno-wheat sown 21.5. 66. Size of test plot 5 X 50 m, harvested plot 3.6 X 50 m. 4 replications. Test in 1967: Soil type silty sandy clay. Soil analysis in 1967: pH 6.0, Ca 3000, P 2.6 and K 170 mg/1. The same fertilizers as in 1966,nutrient amounts correspond to 700 kg/ha of fertilizer 15—20—15. Svenno- wheat sown 16. 5. 67. Size of test plot 5 x 66 m, harvested plot 3.6 x 66 m. 3 replications. Average grain yield Lodging Hl-weight 1000 g.w. Falling Moisture % Treatment kg/ha rel. % kg g number ofgrain** 1. Control yield 1 848 100 0 81.6 35.5 246 22.5 2. Compound fertilizer, broadcasting 2 939 159 0 82.2 36.7 216 24.3 3. Compound fertilizer, placement 3 802 205 1.4 82.6 37.1 310*) 22.3 4. N + P in rows, K on soil 3 615 196 9.2 82.3 37.3 225 24.0 5. N in rows, P + K on soil 3 688 200 2.5 82.6 37.2 198 22.5 6. Combine-drill 3 807 206 0 82.2 37.3 206 26.0 F-value (grain yields) in 1966 = 12.53***, sx = 5.9 » » » in 1967 = 65.62** » = 3.3 *) only in 1966 **) only in 1967 Baking test analysis (1966) Germi- Flour on- * a i Falling Raw . , Green Swelling Gluten Ash ° nated Treatment yield number SM % number protein Dough grains % of flour % 0/ % /o 1 67.9 16.0 33.0 0.62 199 13.6 Good 4.0 2 63.4 15.0 39.0 0.67 197 16.1 Good 4.8 3 65.5 14.0 38.0 0.62 196 14.5 Good 4.1 0.1 4 67.8 12.0 37.0 0.66 208 14.8 Good 2.8 0.2 5 66.6 14.0 39.0 0.59 213 15.8 Good 3.6 0.1 6 65.1 14.0 40.0 0.62 189 15.8 Good 2.8 0.1 In the tests described in Tables 5 and 6, the fertilizer was placed with a separate machine after the seed was sown. Owing to this, the urea came to be at different distances from the seed row and it is evident that in some cases it came so near the seed row that it may have had a detrimental effect on the development of the cereals. Table 3. So-called start phosphorus in placement fertilization in 1966—1968 at Kotkaniemi. In 1966; Soil type sandy muddy clay. Fertilization in autumn 1965: 800 kg/ha ofPK-fertilizer (0—16.5— 16.5). Test made with Svenno-wheat. Size of test plot 5 X 50 m. Harvested plot 1.8 X 50 m. 2 replications. Start phosphorus given in powdered superphosphate. In 1967: Soil type clayey silt and fine sand. Soil analysis in 1967: pH 5.9, Ga 1600, P 18 and K 208 mg/1. Fertilization in autumn: 1000 kg/ha of PK-fertilizer (0—16.5—16.5). Test made with Pendek-oats. Size of test plot 5 x 30 m. Harvested plot 3 X 30 ra. 3 replications. Start phosphorus given in granular super- phosphate. In 1968: Soil type clayey humus soil. Soil analysis in 1967: pH 5.2, Ca 2700, P 2.9 and K 295 mg/1. Fertiza- tion under spring preparation of seed-bed: 800 kg of PK-fertilizer (0—16.5—16.5) 31. 5. 68. Preceding crop fallow. Test made with Balder-barley. Sown 1.6. Size of test plot 5 x 50 m. Harvested plot 3 x 50 m. 4 replications. Start phosphorus given in granular superphosphate. kg/ha O 5* rel. a Lodging % Hl-weight kg 1000 g.w. g Protein % Treatment In 1966 Svenno-wheal 1. Basic fertilization in autumn 800 kg/ha of PK-fertilizer 1 632 100 0 76.7 36.9 2. In spring additional 300 kg/ha of Nitrochalk, placement 3 052 187 0 77.8 37.6 3. Basic fertilization, Nitrochalk and in addition 100 kg/ha of superphosphate 3 174 194 0 77.8 36.7 F-value of grain yields = 178.3**, = 2.4 % In 1967 Pendek-oats 1. Basic fertilization in autumn 1000 kg/ha of PK-fertilizer 1 675 100 0 55.4 32.5 2. In addition 400 kg/ha ofNitrochalk, placement 3. Basic fertilization, Nitrochalk and in addition 100 kg/ha of superphosphate In 1968 Balder-barley 1. Basic fertilization in spring 800 kg/ha of PK-fertilizer, broadcasting 2. In addition 300 kg/ha of Nitrochalk, placement 3. Basic fertilization. Nitrochalk and in addition 100 kg/ha of superphosphate 4 103 245 0 52.3 31.1 4 489 268 0 52.631.4 F-value of grain yields = 33.53**, sx = 7.7% 3 333 100 5.5 69.8 38.9 10.2 4 267 128 77.5 65.6 28.4 11.4 4 568 137 79.566.2 21.812.0 F-value of grain yields = 17.08**, Sx = 3.9 % Fertilization with start phosphorus has increased the grain yields every year but this cannot be con- sidered statistically reliable. 196 197 Conclusions On the basis of the results of the tests made on clay soils and on soils containing clay the following conclusions can be drawn: Among different nutrients the placement ofnitrogen proved to be the most important. Placement of nutrients in rows at a depth of about B—lo8—10 cm gave considerable in- creases in crop yield compared with ordinary broadcasting. In the two tests where fertilizer and seed were sown in the same row, the crop yield was ofthe same size as in the case where they were sown separately. Ripening was delayed, however. When fertilizer and seed were sown with separate machines and the fertilizer was placed closer than 10 cm to the seed, urea did not prove as good as nitrochalk. REFERENCES Aura, E. 1967. Effect of the placement of fertilizer on the development of spring wheat. J. Sei. Agric. Soc. Finl. 39: 148—155. Elonen, P. 1967. Sprinkler irritation on day soils in southern Finland. Ibid. 39: 67—98. —»— Nieminen, L. & Kara, O. 1967. Tuloksia kevätviljojen sadetuksesta savimailla. Maat. ja Koetoim. 21: 7—17. Heinonen, R. & Nieminen, L. 1961. Väkilannoitteiden rivikylvö. Maat. ja Koetoim. 15: 7 —13. Honkavaara, T. 1950. Rakeistamisen ja rivikylvön vaikutuksesta fosforilannoitteiden tehoon. Maat. ja Koetoim. 4: 124—134. Köylijärvi, J. 1969. Rivilannoitus kevätviljasatojen varmentajana. Pellervo 1969: 204—207. Larpes, G. 1966. Rivilannoituksen vaikutus kevätviljoissa. Maat. ja Koetoim. 20: 14—20. —»— 1968. Rivilannoituskokeet vv. 1965—67. Koetoim. ja Käyt. n:o 4. Nieminen, L. 1963. Kannattaako sijoituslannoitus. Leipä leveämmäksi, n:o 4: 6—B, Nieminen, L., Kara, O. & Elonen, P. 1967. Kokemuksia sijoituslannoituksesta. Maat. ja Koetoim. 21: 42—49. Pessi, Y. 1967. Fertilizer placement in Finland. ISMA Joint techn. agric. Conf. Stresa 1967. SELOSTUS RIVILANNOITUSKOKEIDEN TULOKSIA KOTKANIEMEN KOETILALLA Yrjö Pessi, Mikko Ylänen, Auvo Leskelä ja Jorma Syvälahti Rikkihappo Oy, Helsinki Kirjoituksessa selostetaan Vihdissä sijaitsevalla Kotkaniemen koetilalla vuosina 1966—1969 tehtyjen rivilannoituskokeiden tuloksia. Kokeet on tehty hiesupitoisilla savimailla. Tulosten perusteella voidaan tehdä mm. seuraavia päätelmiä: Eri ravinteista on typen sijoitus osoittautunut tärkeimmäksi. Ravinteiden sijoittaminen maahan riviin noin B—lo cm;n syvyyteen on antanut huomattavia sadon- lisäyksiä tavanomaiseen hajalannoitukseen verrattuna. Kahdessa kokeessa mukana ollut menetelmä, missä lannoite ja siemen on kylvetty samaan riviin, on antanut samansuuruisen sadon kuin kylvö erikseen. Tuleentuminen on kuitenkin viivästynyt. Menetelmässä, missä lannoite ja siemen on kylvetty eri koneella ja missä lannoite voi joutua myös lähelle siementä, urea ei ole osoittautunut oulunsalpietarin veroiseksi. Table 4. Tests with placement fertilization 1967—1968 at Kotkaniemi Soil type silty clay. Soil analysis in 1967: pH 5.8, Ca 2930, P 4.1 and K 170 mg/1. Size of test plot 10 x 30 m, harvested plot 9 x 30 m. 4 replications. Shooting % Lodging 0//o Hl-weight kg 1000 g.w. g Protein % Height of straw cm Length of head cmGrain yield (4 e* U Paavo-barley 1968 1. Control yield 764 100 64.5 0 62.0 33.9 9.7 40.8 4.1 2. 450 kg/ha of fertilizer 15—20 —15 (N-P2 05-K2O) broadcasting 1 752 229 79.0 0 61.6 34.3 9.4 50.6 4.0 88.0 0 63.6 36.0 9.5 57.7 4.4 81.5 0 60.5 32.7 10.8 55.5 4.5 3. » » » placement 2 630 344 4. 900 kg/ha » broadcasting 2 361 309 5. » » » placement 2 931 38434 80.0 0 61.6 34.7 10.4 63.2 4.7 F-value of grain yields - 21.51***, sx = 8.4 % Placement/broadcasting F-value = 33.74* ** Otra-barley 1968 1 128 100 77.8 0 64.137.3 10.652.5 4.1 85.8 0 64.038.4 10.366.6 4.4 91.3 0 65.439.6 10.172.0 4.4 84.0 4 61.236.9 12.268.1 4.2 2. See above 3. » » 2 142 190 3 112 276 2 671 237 55 95.0 1 0 64.1 39.2 11.6 73.6 4.5 F-value of grain yields = 10.71***, sx = 11-8 % 4 008 355 Placement/broadcasting F-value = 27.97*** Otra-barley 1969 2 148 100 O 72.037.0 9.151.1 3.5 2 72.741.1 12.350.9 3.7 7 72.641.3 10.266.2 4.3 6 73.742.5 12.559.9 3.9 2. See above 3. » » 2 965 138 4 743 221 4 559 213 5 782 26959 25 72.0 42.4 12.4 73.7 4.4 F-value of grain yields = 57.35***, sx = 4.77 % Placement/broadcasting F-value = 60.46*** Pendek-oats 1968 2 364 100 82.8 0 52.135.0 11.268.8 86.0 0 51.833.0 10.879.1 93.0 0 53.734.6 11.378.1 86.5 0 48.232.7 12.181.9 2. See above Paavo-barley 3. » » » 3 449 146 3 680 156» 4. » » » 3 526 149 3 782 16050 92.8 O 50.0 32.7 12.5 84.2 F-value of grain yields = B.67***, sx = 5.4 % Placement/broadcasting F-value = 7.30* Svenno-wheat 1967 Falling number 2312 604 100 14 82.3 34.0 3 83.7 36.6 14 82.8 36.1 10 82.8 36.8 47 81.6 34.0 2. See-above Paavo-barley 3. » » » 3 455 133 238 4 205 161 249» 4 042 155 224 4 111 158 214 F-value of grain yields = 18.48***, sx = 5.8 % Placement/broadcasting F-value = 8.34* 198 kg/ha 9 5' rel. ££ Shooting % Lodging % Hl-weight kg 1000 g.w. g Protein % Height of straw cm Lenght of head cmTreatment Apu-wheat 1968 1 354 100 1 858 137 2 135 158 2 247 166 2 074 153 57.8 2 73.231.0 13.8 319 72.5 10 73.831.8 13.8 311 84.0 12 74.329.6 14.6 332 80.0 12 73.328.8 15.4 272 1. 2. See above Paavo-barley 3. » » »» 4. 5. 53 70.0 16 72.1 27.7 15.4 287 F-value of grain yields = 3.17*, sx = 10.1 % Placement/broadcasting F-value 0.15 Svenno-wheal 1969 Method A kg/ha 9 5‘ 'S. rel. 5; Lodging 0//o Hl-weight kg 1000 g.w. g Ptotein % Falling number Height of straw cm Length of head cm Treatment 1. 2 521 100 2 833 112 3 600 143 3 354 133 4 583 182 0 81.135.5 10.2 277 67.05.5 0 82.536.4 12.9 299 69.25.6 0 81.837.9 12.0 290 80.26.4 0 82.436.9 13.6 275 76.46.0 2. See above Paavo-barley 3. » » »» 4. 5. 32 0 81.441.2 13.3 273 83.36.7 F-value of grain yields = 17.64***, sx = 5.59 % Placement/broadcasting F-value = 27.67*** Method B 2 107 100 2 847 135 3 945 187 3 877 184 4 997 237 O 82.835.6 9.6 257 64.45.5 O 83.337.4 12.2 297 68.35.7 O 81.838.5 11.0 311 78.76.4 0 83.337.9 12.8 297 70.65.9 1. 2. See above Paavo-barley 3. » » »» 4. 5. 37 0 81.8 41.2 12.0 273 83.9 6.7 F-value of grain yields = 64.96***, Sx = 3.9 % Placehlent/broadcasting F-value = 64.87*** A = Seed sown in line with the fertilizer rows B = Seed sown across the fertilizer rows Average value ofgrain yields of all the crops 1. 1 874 100 2 663 142 3 506 187 3 330 178 4 035 216 2. See above Paavo-barley 3. » » » 4. 5. 199 Table 5. Comparison tests with nitrochalk and urea in 1966—1969. Wheat in 1966—69. Soil type sandy clay. Soil analysis in 1967: pH 5.9, Ca 2400, P 4.0 and K 190 mg/1. Fertilization in spring: 800 kg/ha of PK-fertilizer (0—16.5—16.5), N in different forms in 1966 75 kg/ha, in 1967 137 kg/ha, in 1968 90 kg/ha and in 1969 87 kg/ha. Test made with Svenno-wheat. Size of test plot 10 x 120 m. Harvested plot 6 X 120 m, 2 replications. Barley in 1966—68. Soil type silty clay. Soil analysis in 1967: pH 5.8, Ca 2300, P 3.0 and K 215 mg/1. Fertilization in spring: 800 kg/ha of PK-fertilizer (0—16.5—16.5), N in different forms 100 kg/ha/year. Test made with barley. Size of test plot 7.5 X 65 m. Harvested plot 6 X 65 m, 2 replications. Hl- Treatment Grain yield Lodging weight 1000 g.w. Prote.n kg/ha rcl. % kg g % Test with wheat Wheat 1966 1. PK-fertilizing 1 960 2. In addition Nitrochalk, placement 2 410 3. » urea » 1 790 Wheat 1967 1. 2 160 2. 3 590 3. 3 490 Wheat 1968 1. 1 300 2. 3 250 3. 3 110 Wheat 1969 1. 1 470 2. 2 610 3. 2 190 Wheat 1969 2. test on sandy soil 1. 1 980 2. 3 490 3. 2 880 100 0 74.539.3 123 0 70.840.8 91 0 71.337.4 100 0 82.936.1 166 45 80.835.6 160 35 82.636.7 100 0 78.229.4 12.4 250 18 79.632.8 14.8 239 18 80.032.8 14.3 100 178 149 100 176 145 Fertilization 80 kg N/ha. Test plot 2.5 x 30 m. 3 replications. 200 Hl- Grain yield Lodging . , 1000 g.w. Protein kg/ha rel. % g % Treatment Tests with wheat, on an average: (in 1966—1969) (5 tests) 1. 1 770 100 2. 3 070 173 3. 2 690 152 Treatment 2/3 t = 4.22** Tests with barley 1. Control yield 300 100 0 63.8 41.8 2. Nitrochalk, in rows 2 000 667 0 62.9 43.3 3. Urea in rows 1 060 333 0 63.1 41.8 4. Nitrochalk, broadcasting 1 510 503 0 61.3 39.5 Barley 1967 1. 1 520 100 0 69.5 38.6 2. 2 670 176 13 67.8 42.5 3. 2 320 153 5 68.1 41.8 4. 2 400 158 5 68.1 41.9 Barley 1968 1. 1 110 100 0 55.6 33.5 11.5 2. 2 830 255 13 57.0 33.2 10.4 3. 3 010 274 10 57.3 32.1 11.2 4. 2 980 268 9 55.6 33.0 11.1 Tests with barley, average: (3 tests) 1. 980 100 2. 2 500 255 3. 2 130 217 4. 2 300 235 Treatment 2/3 t = 1.75 (t 5% = 2.57) Tests with barley and wheat, average: 1. 1 380 100 2. 2 790 202 3. 2 410 175 201 Table 6. Comparison of nitrochalk and urea in potassium metaphosphate tests in 1966—1969. Soil type silty sandy clay. Soil analysis in 1967 pH 5.6, Ca 2300, P 4.0 and K 235 mg/1. Test made with Svenno-wheat in 1966—67, with Otra-barley in 1968. Size of test plot 8 X 30 m, harvested plot 6 X 30 m. 3—4 replications. Nutrient amounts correspond to 500 kg/ha of fertilizer 15—20—15 (N-P2 05 -K2 O). Straight fertilizers: superphosphate (Psf), potassium chloride, potassium metaphosphate, nitrochalk and urea. Potassium metaphosphate: P 205 57 % and K s O 36 %. The fertilizers were broad- cast. Grain yield m -g, S bo 55 „ .S "C •§ -SS bp > o o ii=5. _■ _i o g o bO u J 3 so u u J K —« bo C/D o'' P-< Treatment Svenno-wheat (1966—67) 1. Control yield 2. Superphosph. + potassium chloride + nitrochalk 3. Potassium metaphosphate + nitrochalk 4. » » + urea Otra-barley (1968) 1. Control yield 2. Superphosph. + potassium chloride + nitrochalk 3. Potassium metaphosphate + nitrochalk 4. » » + urea Winter wheat, Linna (1969) 1. Control yield 2. Superphosph. + potassium chloride r nitrochalk 3. Potassium metaphosphate -f- nitrochalk 4. » » -f- urea Average (test years 1966-—69) 1. Control yield 2. Superphosph. + potassium chloride + nitrochalk 3. Potassium metaphosphate + nitrochalk 4. » » + urea 1 992 100 0 82.1 35.2 3 195 160 0 82.6 37.0 3 219 162 0 82.3 37.3 3 162 159 0 82.1 37.5 F-value of grain yields in 1966 = 10.35, sx = 4.2 % F-value of grain yields in 1967 = 14.25 sx 793 100 0 62.142.4 73.89.80 2 235 281 0 60.233.5 77.510.15 2 220 280 0 60.434.4 75.810.13 2 142 270 0 61.038.0 76.310.40 F-value of grain yields = 42.51, sx = 5.8 % 4 372 100 6 012 138 5 514 126 5 305 121 F-value of grain yields = 9.73, sx = 4.16 % 2 287 100 3 659 160 3 543 155 3 443 150 Statistically reliable differences between grain yields were not observed in connection with the tested crops in treatments 2—4. 202