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Starter Fertilizer

Agronomy Facts 51
Starter Fertilizer
STARTER FERTILIZER BENEFITS
● Many different fertilizer analyses can be used as
starters. For a starter effect alone, the analysis is not
● Starter fertilizers are most beneficial when crops are
planted into cold, wet soils in early spring or late fall,
critical as long as it meets the criteria described above.
regardless of soil fertility. Using a starter is especially
Where P or K is recommended on the soil test, choose an
important in conservation tillage systems. Crops planted
analysis that best matches the recommendations.
in late spring or early fall generally do not require a
● For N only starters, ammonium sulfate (21-0-0-24S)
starter fertilizer unless soil fertility levels are low.
and ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) are good choices.
● Starter fertilizers are a small amount of fertilizer applied
● Solid and fluid forms of starter fertilizer, applied at
near the seed to meet the demands of the seedling for
similar rates and placement, provide the same results.
readily available nutrients until the plant’s root system
● Monoammonium phosphate (MAP; 11-52-0) and
develops. They also enhance the development of the
ammonium polyphosphate (10-34-0) based fertilizers
emerging seedling.
make excellent starter fertilizer materials.
● Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are the key nutrient
● Use caution with starter fertilizers that contain
components in a starter fertilizer. Phosphorus is
diammonium phosphate (18-46-0) and especially urea
nonmobile in the soil, thus, undeveloped seedling roots
(46-0-0) because both of these materials can cause
have difficulty obtaining the necessary amounts for
seedling injury. Keep the rate low and do not place
proper growth. Also, phosphorus promotes vigorous root
directly with the seed.
growth.
● If micronutrients are required, they can usually be
applied in the starter fertilizer.
● Corn is the most responsive crop to starter fertilizer use.
The response of forage crops to starter fertilizers has not
been as consistent as with corn. Sorghum usually does not
RATES
require a starter fertilizer. Small grains will respond to
● For corn, if the fertility level is good, a small amount of
starter fertilizer especially on marginal fertility soils and
fertilizer (about 100 pounds of starter per acre) will
when crops are planted in late fall. In general, using a
provide an adequate starter response. Do not apply more
starter fertilizer when planting soybeans is not recom-
than 70 pounds of N + K O per acre if the fertilizer is
2
mended.
placed approximately 2 inches away from the seed.
Reduce the rate if starter is placed closer than 2 inches
MATERIALS
from the seed.
● Generally, any high-quality, complete fertilizer that
● Larger amounts of N can be applied in the starter but do
contains at least nitrogen and phosphorus will work as a
not exceed the limits above for total N + K O.
2
starter. For optimum effectiveness, the phosphate should
● For forage crops, the rate should not exceed 60 pounds
be combined with ammonium nitrogen.
of N + K O per acre.
2
● On high phosphorus soils an N only starter will usually
● For oats, do not apply more than 20 pounds of N or 45
provide similar starter response without adding extra P to
pounds of N + K O per acre in the seed row.
2
an already high P soil.
● For winter wheat and barley, do not apply more than 15
pounds N or 30 pounds N + K O per acre in seed row.
2
College of Agricultural Sciences
Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension
HOW STARTER FERTILIZER AFFECTS PLANT
PLACEMENT
GROWTH
● The recommended placement of the starter for corn or
The use of starter fertilizer enhances crop growth primarily
sorghum is 2 inches beside and 2 inches below the
because it places a readily available supply of plant nutrients
seed. Do not use a starter if sorghum is drilled.
(especially phosphorus) in a position where they are easily
● Starter can also be applied directly with corn seed as
accessible to the limited root system of a seedling. Even
a pop-up, however, avoid urea and DAP, and keep the
though a soil may have high fertility, a seedling’s root
rate low.
system may not be able to obtain the necessary nutrients due
● Starter for forage crops should be banded 1 inch
to lack of size and density within the soil (see Figure 1).
directly below the seeds.
Once a plant’s root system is established, it will be able to
● For small grains, the starter is usually drilled directly
extract nutrients from the bulk of the soil (Figure 2). At this
with the seed.
point, the soil serves as the primary source of plant nutrients.
Since the plant now has a well-developed and extensive root
system, it has more surface area to intercept nutrients and
moisture throughout the soil.
WHAT IS STARTER FERTILIZER?
Starter fertilizer is a small quantity of fertilizer nutrients
applied in close proximity to the seed at planting. Starter
Figure 1. A seedling root system cannot acquire needed
fertilizers enhance the development of emerging seedlings by
nutrients from the bulk soil.
supplying essential nutrients in accessible locations near the
roots. Rapid crop establishment is desirable since plant
soil surface
development and yield can be influenced during early
growth stages. Also, fast-growing young plants generally are
P
more resistant to insect and disease attacks and can compete
K
P
with weeds more effectively. Readily available nutrients near
young plants help ensure rapid early growth and the forma-
N
tion of large leaves, which are necessary for photosynthesis,
subsequent growth processes, and earlier crop maturity.
P
N
WHEN TO USE A STARTER FERTILIZER
K
K
P
A starter fertilizer is most beneficial when the crop is planted
N
K
into cold, wet soils, regardless of the total fertility status of
P
the soil. Cold, wet soils cause reduced root growth rate,
nutrient mobility, and nutrient mineralization (i.e., the
breakdown of nutrients into plant usable forms). Cold, wet
Figure 2. A well-developed root system can more
soils generally are most prevalent in early spring and late
effectively obtain nutrients from the soil.
fall. However, soils in reduced tillage systems usually are
colder and wetter than those in conventional tillage systems
because of the insulating effect of the surface mulch. Thus,
starter fertilizer is as important, if not more important, in
conservation tillage systems as it is in other tillage systems.
Conditions such as those mentioned above are most common
in the northern crop producing regions of the United States.
Crops planted late in the spring generally will not have the
same response to a starter as will crops planted earlier,
soil surface
because the warmer conditions already allow adequate plant
growth and nutrient mobility. Therefore, it is not as critical
K
P
P
to use a starter in this situation, except on low testing soils.
N
However, it is acceptable to include a fertilizer during
planting to provide for recommended maintenance fertilizer
K
needs.
K
N
P
P
K
N
K
P
P
Starter fertilizer composed of nitrogen and phosphorus (P
Recently there has been a trend toward adding secondary
or P O ) provides the most favorable crop response. Unlike
and micronutrients into starter fertilizers. Micronutrients are
2
5
other nutrients, such as nitrogen, which are mobile and have
key players in many of the processes important for plant
a greater chance of contacting roots to be absorbed, phos-
growth. However, in Pennsylvania there are very few
phorus compounds are bound and do not readily move
micronutrient problems, because (1) the heavier, loamy
within the soil. To be absorbed by the plant, the roots must
texture of our soils helps to maintain adequate levels of
approach very close to the phosphate to be taken in. Thus, a
micronutrients (sandy-textured soils, by contrast, often show
small amount of strategically placed phosphorous-contain-
micronutrient deficiencies); (2) the slightly acidic nature of
ing fertilizer will be readily accessible to the seedling roots.
our soils helps to maintain micronutrient solubility; and (3)
Phosphorus is important for promoting vigorous root
Pennsylvania agriculture is largely animal based, so much of
growth, resulting in healthier, dark-green plants. The lack of
our cropland gets periodic applications of manure, a good
phosphorous results in stunted, purple-colored plants.
source of micronutrients. Unless there is a specifically
(However, other factors besides lack of fertility may cause
identified need for a secondary or micronutrient and thus a
purple-corn syndrome, such as soil compaction, environ-
high probability of a response, there will be no economic
mental stress, herbicide injury, or various crop varieties.)
benefit to routinely applying secondary or micronutrients. If
While P may be the most critical nutrient in starter fertilizer,
a need for micronutrients has been identified, adding
N in the starter may also help plants overcome early season
micronutrients to starter fertilizers is usually an excellent
N deficiency due to the slow release of nitrogen from
method of supplying the small amount of these nutrients that
organic matter during cold, springtime conditions. Also, it
might be recommended based on a soil test or plant tissue
has been shown that some N in the ammonium form
analysis. Several exceptions should be noted. It is well
common in starter fertilizers will enhance P uptake from the
established that high P levels can reduce zinc (Zn) availabil-
starter and from the soil. Potassium (K or K O), also referred
ity and high K levels can reduce magnesium (Mg) availabil-
2
to as “potash,” is not as critical as N or P in a starter, but
ity. Therefore, adding Zn or Mg to a starter containing
some response is likely when soil K levels are marginal,
normally high levels of P and K may not be very effective.
especially under cold, wet conditions. Starter fertilizer
Recent research has indicated that periodic broadcast
response is frequently manifested as increased early season
applications of Zn fertilizer and Mg containing dolomitic
growth, slightly lower grain moisture at harvest, and higher
limestone are more effective than starter applications of these
grain yields. The rapid growth and earlier maturity are
nutrients when a need for them has been determined. Also,
important in areas where medium and short-season corn
boron (B) should not be added in a starter fertilizer.
varieties are grown. Overall, the use of a starter fertilizer
increases fertilizer efficiency and thus reduces fertilizer
Use of Starter Fertilizers in Agronomic Crop
costs.
Production
In Pennsylvania, especially on farms with livestock or
It is well established that the use of starter fertilizer is a
poultry, having high and sometimes very high P soil test
beneficial and economic practice in Pennsylvania and
levels is becoming more common. The use of P containing
surrounding states, especially for corn production. Using
starter fertilizers on these high testing soils has been
starter fertilizer on other agronomic crops such as soybeans,
questioned both regarding the necessity of P in the starter
small grains, and sorghum is not as common. However, it
and the potential environmental impact of adding P to soils
may occur in certain situations. Before applying any fertil-
that are already high in P. Recent research has shown that in
izer, it is recommended that the soil be tested to determine
some instances there is a benefit to adding starter fertilizer
the fertility status of the field. A starter fertilizer can be used
for corn even on high testing soils. However, this benefit is
to supply a portion of the crop’s nutrient needs, with addi-
seen only about 20 percent of the time and the size of the
tional fertilizer applications made before or throughout the
response, while significant, is usually relatively small. Thus,
season to meet the remaining crop requirements. In certain
it is probably not necessary to use a starter at all on these
situations, a starter can meet the P and K needs of the crop
high P soils unless conditions are very adverse and the soil
and eliminate a second trip over the field later in the season.
test levels are only marginally high. This research has also
The use of a starter fertilizer can slow the rate of crop
shown that if starter is used on these high P soils there are
planting due to the necessity of refilling fertilizer boxes.
several management alternatives that should be considered.
However, most would agree that the benefits of using a
Using a very low rate of starter fertilizer placed directly with
starter greatly outweigh this disadvantage.
the seed (see discussion of pop-up placement later in this
fact sheet) usually gives as good or better response than a
Corn
traditional starter rate and placement while only adding a
A properly managed corn starter-fertilizer program can be a
very small amount of P to the soil. Another alternative is to
positive step toward improving yields and profitability. There
use an N-only starter fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate or
are several important management considerations for starter
ammonium nitrate. On high P soils, research has shown that
fertilizer use in corn, including materials, rates, and place-
these N-only starters performed as well as traditional
ment. These starter fertilizer management considerations
starters.
apply to corn grown for grain or silage.
Materials
to 90 pounds). Banded phosphorus is about as twice as
Any high-quality, complete fertilizer that contains at least
effective as broadcasted phosphorus in the short term, but the
nitrogen and phosphorus will work as a starter fertilizer.
long-term effects are similar. Less phosphorus fertilizer is
Generally, it should contain a high phosphate (P O ) ratio
2
5
required when it is placed in the band.
(e.g., 1-2-1, 1-3-1, 1-4-2, or 1-5-0) and the phosphate in
Higher starter rates of nitrogen and potash can cause salt
starter fertilizers should be highly water soluble. For opti-
injury to the seedling crop. The maximum rate should not
mum effectiveness, the phosphate should be combined with
exceed a total of 70 pounds of nitrogen (N) plus potash
ammonium nitrogen. There are many different analyses of
(K O) per acre. For example, if 200 pounds per acre of a
2
fertilizers that can be used, including but not limited to 10-
fertilizer with an analysis of 8-32-16 is applied, then:
10-10, 10-20-10, 8-32-16, 8-28-12, 7-21-7, 9-18-9, 11-52-0,
and 10-34-0. For the starter effect alone on higher testing
200 x 0.08 = 16 lb N/acre
soils, the actual analysis is not critical as long as it meets the
200 x 0.16 = 32 lb K O/acre
2
criteria outlined above. Choose the most economical, good
quality fertilizer available. When soil tests are low enough
Total
48 lb N + K O/acre
2
that P and or K are recommended, choose an analysis that
best matches the recommendations. As discussed earlier, N-
However, the 70 pound maximum applies only if the
only starters may be a better approach for corn on high P
fertilizer placement is 2 inches from the seed. For closer
soils. Ammonium sulfate (21-0-0-25S) and ammonium
placement, the total amount should be reduced. If the
nitrate (34-0-0) are the best materials for N-only starters.
fertilizer is placed directly with the seed (i.e., “pop-up,” see
There is an important precaution associated with certain
Placement section for more information), no more than 10
fertilizer materials. Diammonium phosphate (DAP; 18-46-0)
pounds of N + K O should be applied per acre. For place-
2
and especially urea (46-0-0) containing materials should be
ments that are between “2 by 2” and pop-up, adjust the rate
used with caution, since some injury may occur if the rate is
according to the distance from the seed (i.e., greater than 10
too high or if it is placed too close to the seed. Both of these
pounds but less than 70 pounds per acre). These rate limits
materials react in the soil to produce free ammonia (NH ),
are especially critical for no-till situations because of less
3
which can harm germinating seeds and seedlings by burning
accurate starter fertilizer placement.
tissues and inhibiting root growth. At lower rates and with
Nitrogen can be applied at a higher rate as a starter
appropriate placement, these materials can be used in starter
fertilizer without causing seedling injury and can help
fertilizer.
growers avoid early season N deficiency until sidedressing.
The fertilizer does not have to be labeled as a “starter” to
This is especially important where manure or legume N is
be used for this purpose. The physical form of the fertilizer
not commonly used in the cropping system. Since urea
does not make a difference in starter performance. High-
should not be used as a starter, lower N analysis materials
quality blends, granulated complete fertilizers, and fluid
such as ammonium nitrate (34 percent N) or ammonium
fertilizers will all provide good results. Although liquid
sulfate (21 percent N) should be used, resulting in large
fertilizers can be applied at lower quantities than dry forms,
amounts of material to be handled. For example, it would
the effect of the nutrients when they are applied at the same
require 500 to 600 pounds per acre of total fertilizer material
rate per acre is the same. In most cases, liquid forms are
to apply 50 or 60 pounds per acre of nitrogen with these
more expensive than dry materials. However, if the metering
lower analysis materials. In general, the major drawbacks of
device and plumbing on the planter units are accurate, liquid
this system would be the need to continuously refill the
forms can be applied at lower quantities, provide a good
planter fertilizer boxes, which greatly slows the planting
starter effect, and be cost-effective. Generally,
process. Also, care must be taken not to exceed the 70
monoammonium phosphate (MAP; 11-52-0) based materials
pounds/acre N + K O maximum rate. A more common
2
are excellent as starter fertilizers. Similarly, ammonium
approach to accomplish this for corn is dual placement. A
polyphosphate (10-34-0) is an excellent liquid starter
small amount of starter is applied with the planter along with
material. A starter can be a straight material, such as MAP,
a simultaneous injected or dribbled application of N usually
or it can be a blend of various materials to obtain a desired
4 inches or more from the seed row. All of the N requirement
fertilizer grade.
of a corn crop can be applied this way if sidedressing some
of the N is not practical.
Rates
In general, the typical range for starter fertilizer rates is
In general, only a small amount of fertilizer is required to get
between 100 and 300 pounds per acre. For a starter effect
a starter response if the soil fertility levels test within the
alone, the lowest rate that can be accurately applied with the
optimum or higher range. Under these conditions, 100
planter is usually adequate. Usually, there is more concern
pounds of starter per acre or the lowest corn planter setting is
with too much starter than with too little.
more than adequate. At low soil fertility levels, the rate can
be increased to meet a large portion of the P O and some-
2
5
times K O needs of the crop. Phosphorus is usually the only
2
nutrient that can be applied totally in the starter band (i.e., up
Figure 3. Diagram of most effective starter fertilizer
Figure 4. Pop-up fertilizer placement in relationship to a
placement for corn. Seed should be planted about 1.5
germinating corn seed.
inches below the soil surface. The fertilizer band should
be placed 2 inches beside and 2 inches below the seed
soil surface
so that developing roots can easily obtain necessary
planter slit
nutrients, but not cause injury to seedling.
soil surface
1.5” – 2.0”
pop-up fertilizer
1.5”
2.0”
corn seed
corn seed
2.0”
starter
the seedling by the fertilizer. Injury caused by pop-up
fertilizer
placement can seriously reduce stands, especially under dry
band
conditions on light or sandy textured soils. Consequently,
there are two very important rules that must be followed for
pop-up placement: 1) the rate must be kept below 10 pounds
Placement
of N + K O per acre; and 2) the fertilizer must not contain
The tillage system has very little effect on materials and rates
2
any urea or DAP. While the use of pop-up placement
used for starter fertilizers, however the type of tillage system
eliminates the need for a separate fertilizer opener, it does
may significantly influence placement. Placement is impor-
create some other challenges, especially with dry fertilizer
tant since seedling plants must have access to the nutrients.
systems. It is often difficult on most planters to reduce a dry
The standard starter placement is 2 inches beside and 2
starter rate low enough for safety. For a common 10-20-10
inches below the seed (see Figure 3).
starter for example, the pop-up rate would have to be less
This practice allows developing roots to easily access the
than 50 pounds of fertilizer per acre. Also, the starter delivery
fertilizer and also protects roots from fertilizer burn. How-
system would have to be redirected back to the seed units,
ever, in no-till situations, positioning the seed to an adequate
which can be difficult on some planters. While there is no
depth may be difficult enough, let alone placing the fertilizer
agronomic difference between fluid and solid starter fertiliz-
2 inches below the seed. A few alternative placements have
ers, this may be one situation where the fluid fertilizers have
been proposed. These include 1) placing a starter band two
a practical advantage. It usually is easier to regulate lower
inches beside and at the same depth as the seed; or 2)
rates with a fluid fertilizer and it also is easier to plumb the
dribbling the fertilizer over the seed row, often in front of the
fluid lines back to the seed units. As long as the equipment
no-till coulter. These methods can provide some benefit and
can be adequately set up for pop up placement, and the rules
are better than having no starter fertilizer at planting.
mentioned above are followed, pop-up placement of starter
However, they may cause application difficulties and may
fertilizer can be an attractive option.
not be effective as the “2 by 2” method or the third alterna-
tive, “pop-up.” The pop-up method places the fertilizer
Forages
directly with the seed and can provide excellent results (see
The response of forage crops to starter fertilizer has not been
Figure 4). With pop-up placement there is no need for a
as consistent as with corn. If there is good soil fertility (i.e.,
separate fertilizer opener on the planter, which can be a
soil tests within the optimum to above optimum range) a
major benefit in no-till systems where planter penetration is a
starter is not recommended. In addition, forage species are
problem. Also, pop-up placement enables growers to use
planted at high seeding rates, thus various seedlings have a
lower rates of starter fertilizer which may lower costs, reduce
greater chance of obtaining nutrients throughout the soil to
the amount of P applied on soils already high in P and reduce
establish the stand. Also, many modern drills do not have a
the quantity of fertilizer that has to be handled during
combination fertilizer unit to allow the application of
planting, e.g., fewer planter fill-ups. Pop-up placement has
fertilizers. However, using a starter when possible can be
also been incorporated into seed firmers, which are being
beneficial, especially to meet small amounts of nutrient
used on more and more planters. These applicators allow
requirements recommended by a soil test; and/or if there are
very precise placement of the pop-up fertilizer either on or
adverse soil conditions such as low fertility and cold-wet
close to the seed depending on the style of seed firmer used.
weather at planting.
There are some potential problems with pop-up starter
placement. The most important is the potential for injury to
Materials
Soybeans
As with corn, fertilizers with high-phosphorus contents, such
Soybeans, like other crops, require sound fertility programs.
as 10-20-10, 10-10-10, 8-32-16, and 10-34-0, can serve as a
However, since soybean seedlings are extremely sensitive
starter fertilizer. A dry or fluid fertilizer formulation can be
to fertilizer injury, it generally is not recommended that a
used. Use caution with fertilizers which contain urea as a
starter fertilizer be used at planting. Also, since soybean
starter.
planting usually occurs when the soils are warmer, plant
growth and nutrient mobility and uptake from the bulk soil
Rate and placement
are generally not a problem. If the soil test recommends
The rate should be kept below about 60 pounds of N + K O
adding nutrients, it is best to apply the needed fertilizer
2
in the starter to prevent salt damage to the seedlings. The
before seeding. However, growers using a row planter could
starter should be banded 1 inch directly below the seed. This
place a band of starter at least 2 inches to the side of the
practice is especially important for legume seedings. If a
seed. Starter fertilizer placed any closer than 2 inches can
starter fertilizer cannot be banded and the soil test indicates
severely injure the seedling. Under all conditions, do not
optimum to above optimum fertility levels, no fertilizer
drill fertilizer with the seed or use “pop-up” fertilizer with
should be applied. The broadcast method is less effective
soybeans.
than band placement because it will only give a beneficial
response under very adverse environmental conditions (when
soil fertility level is low). Generally, four times the amount
Prepared by Douglas B. Beegle, professor of agronomy,
of broadcasted phosphorus is required to provide the same
Gregory W. Roth, professor of agronomy, and Dwight D.
response as banded phosphorus for legume establishment.
Lingenfelter, assistant extension agronomist.
Routinely broadcasting a small amount of fertilizer as a
starter is not recommended under most conditions.
Visit Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences on the Web:
If a soil test taken just prior to establishment indicates the
www.cas.psu.edu
need for additional or large amounts of fertilizer, it is best to
split the fertilizer application with the bulk of the nutrient
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research, extension, and
needs met with broadcast fertilizer or manure, as opposed to
resident education programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties,
meeting all the nutrient needs with a starter. In this situation,
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of
a small amount of the total fertilizer requirement, such as 20-
Agriculture.
40-40 per acre, should be banded at planting or applied to the
Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no
surface to meet the immediate needs of the crop as it is
endorsement by the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences is implied.
established.
This publication is available from the Publications Distribution Center, The
Small Grains
Pennsylvania State University, 112 Agricultural Administration Building,
University Park, PA 16802. For information telephone 814-865-6713.
Applying a starter fertilizer with small grains is not as
critical to the success of the crop as it is with corn produc-
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of Congress
tion. However, the addition of a starter can be very important
May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of
for winter grains grown on soils with marginal soil test levels
Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Legislature. T. R. Alter, Director of
or if the crop is planted late, when soils are cold and wet.
Cooperative Extension, The Pennsylvania State University.
Depending on the fertilizer requirements indicated by the
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
soil test, all the fertilizer may be broadcast prior to planting
or a portion may be applied with the drill and the remainder
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all
broadcast. However, fertilizer injury to the seedling may
persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and
occur if too much starter is applied with the seed. The
employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to
ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy
following are some guidelines for using a starter with small
or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to
grains. Use a high-phosphorus, non-urea-containing fertilizer
maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination,
material as a starter. For spring oats, do not apply more than
including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits
20 pounds N or 45 pounds N + K O per acre in the row with
discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry,
2
the seed. For winter barley and winter wheat, do not apply
color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex,
sexual orientation, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against
more than 15 pounds N or 30 pounds N + K O per acre in the
2
faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State
seed row.
University. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to
the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 328
Sorghum
Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901, Tel 814-865-4700/V,
In general, using a starter fertilizer is not as common when
814-863-1150/TTY.
growing grain or forage sorghum. Starter fertilizers and rates
© The Pennsylvania State University 2003
similar to those used for corn can be used with sorghum
when planted with a row planter (see section entitled Corn
CAT UC132 Rv2M7/03ps3141
for additional information), but if the crop is drilled, starter
fertilizers in the row should be avoided to prevent injury.
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