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Agronomist warns of phosphorus deficiencies

A Dupont Pioneer field agronomist says many growers are not keeping up with phosphorus fertility levels in their fields, based on recent increases in crop yields.

Jon Propheter, who is located at York, Nebraska, says a 2016 Pioneer study, conducted across 12 Corn Belt states, showed phosphorus falling below optimum levels in many regions.

“For example, in the Western Corn Belt—in Kansas and Nebraska alone—over 50 percent of the samples taken were below optimum levels for phosphorus, based on those individual state’s university guidelines,” Propheter says.

Which can limit potential high-end yields going forward, he says.

“Ultimately it can increase of the likelihood of reduced profitability on these individual fields, or portion of fields, that have less-than-optimum levels of phosphorus.”

Propheter says many states have modified phosphorus recommendations in recent years and growers need to make sure their programs are keeping pace.

Phosphorus deficiency can cause early growth issues and can reduce tolerance to drought, disease and temperature stress.

AUDIO: Jon Propheter