Abstract

Prompted by high cost of fertilizer, farmers are investigating ways to enhance the efficiency of phosphorus (P) fertilizers. This study examined the effects of liming application (0 Mg ha^-1 and recommended rate), P source [non-treated control and a broadcast application of diammonium phosphate (DAP) or triple superphosphate (TSP)], and the presence or absence of two commercial enhanced efficiency P products (Avail^? and P₂O₅-Max^?) on corn (Zea mays L.) production. The study was conducted at Novelty in northeastern Missouri and Portageville in southeastern Missouri. The P enhancers did not affect plant population, silage dry weights, grain moisture, yield, protein, oil, or starch concentrations at either location. At Portageville, P enhancers did not affect plant N, P, K uptake and apparent P recovery efficiency (APRE). At Novelty, neither P enhancer paired with DAP increased P uptake over the non-treated control. TSP treated with Avail^? increased P uptake 8.6 kg ha^-1 compared to the non-treated control and 7.1 kg ha^-1 compared to P₂O₅-Max^?. In 2010 at Novelty, TSP treated with Avail^? increased K uptake 150 kg ha^-1 compared to the non-treated TSP and 100 kg ha^-1 compared to P₂O₅-Max^?. At Novelty, plant population was 4,800 plants ha^-1 greater in the non-limed control compared to the recommended rate in 2011, although plant population at Portageville was not affected. At Portageville, the recommended amount of lime increased grain yields 0.77 Mg ha^-1, but there was no effect at Novelty. At Novelty, plant P uptake increased 3.4 kg ha^-1with the application of lime, but at Portageville there was no effect. Grain yield increased 0.34 Mg ha^-1 with TSP compared to the non-treated control.

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