Protocol Status
Section Title
Nitrogen Fixing Biological Product and Reduced Nitrogen Rate
Trial Information
The purpose of this project is to quantify the agronomic impacts of a nitrogen fixing biological product (Envita®) along with a reduced nitrogen rate on grain corn and spring wheat for yield and grain quality.
- All the fertilizer treatments will be applied at the time of planting
- The reduced rate of Nitrogen will be about 80% of the full rate (a minimum reduction of at least 30 lbs N is recommended).
- Plant the same variety throughout the entire trial. Use the same planting rate for all treatments.
- Envita will be foliar applied at the 2-4 leaf stage (V2-V8). Follow labelled instructions and rates.
- The width of a strip must be at least as wide as a full combine header, preferably wider to ensure at least one “pure” combine pass per each treatment. The minimum harvested length should be 300 meters.
- All treatments should be harvested on the same day with each treatment being weighed off using a calibrated weigh wagon.
Corn
- Envita features the bacteria Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (Gd) that enables a unique mode of nitrogen fixation in corn and other crops.
- After application, the bacteria start replicating and spreading through plant foliage and roots, forming a relationship with the host plant. The bacteria
fix nitrogen from the air inside the plant cells. - This provides plants with an additional source of nitrogen where and when it’s needed, supplementing the supply of nitrogen available from fertilizer treatments.
Results (Corn)
In 2024, application of Envita did not significantly improve corn yields or quality over the standard or reduced nitrogen rates in this year’s trials. There was
one out of six locations in 2023 that produced data with statistical yield differences. The treatment that was “Full Nitrogen” yielded significantly better than the remaining treatments. The resulting eight site years suggest that the approximate $14/ac cost of Envita is not consistently made up by an increase in grain corn yield or quality.
Results (Spring Wheat)
The application of Envita did not significantly improve wheat yields or quality over the standard or reduced nitrogen rates in this year's trials. Therefore, the cost of Envita was not made up by an increase in yield or quality and there was a profit loss of approximately $14/ac compared to the treatments with the same nitrogen rate.