How much 10-34-0 can be applied with my corn seed?

Morgan Cott on May 5, 2026

Oddly, I have had this conversation more this winter/spring than ever before. On paper, there is a finite answer. Anecdotally, there are a few different options and it is all dependent on soil type and soil conditions, moisture, etc.

First of all, side-banding any type of fertilizer is much safer than placing it with the seed. Some fertilizers are safe in certain quantities with the seed, but very few. Side-banding is much safer and provides quick access to the roots. Midrow banding is the safest method, but roots take that much longer to access the fertilizer row, which negates the “starter” effect. The other factor that indicates the level of safety is soil moisture; the drier the soil, the more risky it is to place any fertilizer with or near the seed.

I’m guilty of thinking that fertilizer toxicity to the seed is mainly due to the nitrogen content and a result of ammonia burn. Salt injury is actually more common and affects germination and early season growth, so applying fertilizers that have a low salt index in closer proximity to the seed is best, if any has to be close to the seed at all. Bonus points if there is good soil moisture at the time of fertilization.

As I mentioned, on paper there are defined rates of 10-34-0 that can safely be applied in-furrow with corn on 30” rows. This table shows those rates and placement that will help to avoid salt injury to the corn crop.

Table: Amount of 10-34-0 (gal/acre) to help avoid salt injury to corn grown in 30” rows.

After having some discussions with Manitoba corn farmers on various soil types, I did get some reasonable responses explaining increasing rates in heavier, wetter soils. But more importantly, decreasing the above rates in dry and/or lighter soils. These were purely anecdotal and not research-based.

I recommend being very conservative in 10-34-0 rates if you are new to trying this method of application, and especially if you are planting in dry conditions and/or coarse soil textures. Start small and have many conversations with your peers on their experiences with various rates of 10-34-0 in-furrow. Use that information to make a conservative decision of your own.

Remember, start your season with success and make smart choices. Do not make decisions that could get your crop off to a bad start. We live in Manitoba – Mother Nature is hard enough on us in spring.

Preventing and Monitoring for Insects in Stored Grain

Morgan Cott on August 25, 2023

By John Gavloski, Extension Entomologist at Manitoba Agriculture

Grain beetles can be an issue in high infestation years, so it is important to review management strategies. The first step is knowing what species of beetle is present and whether it is a species that feeds on the grain itself, or more on fungus growing on the grain or in the bin. Without magnification, it can be difficult to determine the difference between rusty grain beetles, one of the more common beetles feeding directly on many stored grains, and foreign grain beetle, which is primarily a fungus feeder.

Note the club-shaped antennae on the foreign grain beetle in the photo. If placed in a glass jar, foreign grain beetles will climb up the sides, while rusty grain beetles cannot.

Preventing insects being introduced into or establishing in grain bins.

A few steps to reduce stored grain insects establishing in grain bins include:

  • Clean in and around storage facilities.
  • Inspect grain storage facilities for signs of deterioration, leaks or holes.
  • Clean equipment used to move grain. Combines, grain wagons, truck beds,
    augers and other equipment used to move grain should be cleaned of grain
    residue before being used.
  • Dry and cool grain (ideally below 15°C) as quickly as possible after harvest.

Controlling insects found in stored grain.

Knowing the species you are dealing with is important when determining the most effective and economical means of control. If it is a fungus feeder such as foreign grain beetle, practices that result in grain drying may be all that is needed.

For insects that feed directly on the grain, if the grain is being kept over the winter, lowering the grain temperature through aeration or moving the grain can kill stored gain insects.

Grain vacs, if used at a slow enough speed (such as 200 bushels per hour), can kill stored grain insects. Removing too large a volume of grain at a time results in the grain protecting the insects and reduces kill. Insect killing efficiency is greatly increased when a 90° angle is made in the grain vac pipe. The grain should be dry for this method to work well.

Depending on the crop being stored and insect pest, chemical control options can include fumigants (such as phostoxin or fumitoxin), diatomaceous earth (Protect-It, Insecto), or malathion. There are things that should be considered before using any of these chemical control options, however.

Fumigants such as phostoxin and fumitoxin are restricted to applicators with a valid stored agricultural products license. These products can not be used when the grain temperature is below 5°C, as the tablets release the gas too slowly.

Diatomaceous earth damages the cuticle of the insect, reducing the insect’s ability to retain moisture. The insect eventually dies from dehydration. It can take weeks for diatomaceous earth to control insects in grain bins, assuming the grain is dry.

Important note: Some commodities, such as canola, flax and sunflowers, should not be stored in facilities recently treated with malathion.

For more information:

Prevention and Management of Insects and Mites in Farm-Stored Grain, Manitoba Agriculture

 

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