Can I broadcast N and P fertilizers in winter wheat?
Phosphate fertilizer must be banded with, or very near, the seed to be effective. The higher the amount of N placed with seed, the higher the risk of seedling damage and winter-kill. Side or mid-row banding of N gives the best results both in terms of protecting the seedling from toxicity and salt effect and increasing N use efficiency. Generally, fall broadcasting N results in increased risk of losses of N to the environment. If seeding is done with double shoot openers, don’t sacrifice seedbed quality for fertilizer placement. There are several effective methods of applying N early in the spring.
