Fine control on sub-areas – current trial results | 13.12.2010
Is it worth buying a YARA N-Sensor? Sometimes faster than one can believe. This is shown by the latest trial results from the field.
The comparison between normal, constant farming practice and a needs-oriented practice using N-Tester and YARA N-Sensor also revealed the clear advantage of sub-area specific crop farming in 2010. With this, the trials of 2010 fitted easily into the series from the previous years. The needs-oriented variation was able to gain points, not only in N fertilisation, but also in pest and disease management. The balance of the additional revenues: 81 €/ha in rape, 65 €/ha in cereals and 33 €/ha with the variable growth regulator application.
In 2010 the differences between good and less good farming were shown more clearly than in “good” years. The reaction to the complicated weather conditions varied in severity depending on how robustly the stands were conditioned to cope with stress.
What were the guarantors for success?
Apart from a sufficient supply of P and K, as well as an optimal pH value, it is also important to avoid lodging. A needs-oriented N fertilisation and the application of growth regulator with the YARA N-Sensor avoid excessively vegetative stands and ensure the stability of the stand. They also help to lessen losses of yield and quality – as occurred in many places in 2010.
Thus in 2010, thanks to the use of the N-Tester and the YARA N-Sensor in the trial locations Barmenitz and Zwenkau, it was possible to achieve an average of 81 €/ha additional revenue. The average in the trial years 2004 to 2009 was 62 €/ha.
Similarly the results in cereals: the financial advantages here were 65 €/ha on average.
The N-balance was reduced by about 25 kg/ha throughout all three trial locations.
The results of the trial of 2010 with the variable growth regulator application were better than ever: an average of 33 €/ha additional revenue was achieved on the seven large scale trials in winter wheat and winter barley. On average, the farmer saved 21 percent on sprays on the test areas with the YARA N-Sensor and increased the yield by an average of 3 percent at the same time.