By Field Advisor
Project Leaders: Dan Schaefer, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association; Jason Solberg, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association; Eric Miller, Piatt County Farmer; Giovani Preza Fontes, University of Illinois
Purpose: In most corn-soybean rotations, fertilizer applications are typically made to maximize corn yields, with less consideration of its impact on soybean yields. This project tests how direct soybean fertilization affects yields and evaluates the potential return on investment compared to conventional soybean production.
Approach: On-farm trials in central Illinois were conducted in 2023 and 2024 to test yield response to controlled-release N, P, K, and S fertilizers in a strip-till system. Products tested included controlled-release urea with a 140-day delay before release, along with potash, Mosaic Aspire, Mosaic MESZ, and pelletized gypsum. The trials also compared 15” and 30” row spacing. The plot followed an omission-style layout to evaluate each fertilizer’s contribution to yield. The treatments in 2024 were modified to add more combinations as a result of 2023 yield results. This study was funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff program.
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