> Better Broadcast “The good news is that growers have a new tool to help maximize phosphorus e ciency in their fi elds,” says Carlsen. “Trivar™ fertilizer additive was developed specifi cally for use on dry phosphate fertilizers for broadcast applications.” Carlsen says broadcast application of phosphates is used on about 10 times more acres than in-furrow phosphorus applications are used. “CHS Agronomy created Trivar to be applied to dry phosphate forms used for fall or spring applications, including DAP, MAP, triple superphosphate and other sources.” Soil pH, organic matter levels and cation exchange capacity are the three main factors that impact phosphorus availability, he says. “Those soil characteristics aren’t easily changed.” Until now, three short-term solutions have been most e ective for maximizing phosphorus availability to the crop while committing to improved fertility practices: • In-furrow applications that place fertilizer close to the seed and developing roots • Prescriptive applications that tailor rates to soil needs and yield potential • Applications based on the 4Rs: right source, right rate, right time and right place “Using Trivar means one small change in the handling process at the retailer before application can signifi cantly improve phosphorus e ciency,” Carlsen says. Spring Broadcast Application Trial Available phosphorus, ppm 39 34 29 24 19 14 Soil phosphorus levels 2-3 weeks after crop emergence pm 7 p inc s rea e 37 30 17 Untreated 250 pounds MESZ @ 2 quarts/acre 250 pounds + Trivar @ 3 quarts/acre Source: Fred Below, University of Illinois “Levesol is a proven technology that’s been used as an in-furrow application for more than 18 years,” he adds. “With Trivar, we are able to make its benefi ts available for more growers using broadcast applications.” 2 A nutrient-focused enzyme (phosphatase) converts plant-unavailable organic phosphorus to a readily plant-available inorganic form. The enzyme starts working immediately to free up unavailable phosphorus in the soil. 3 Zinc and boron in Trivar improve use of important micronutrients to boost overall plant nutrition. Zinc drives critical plant growth and development, while boron promotes root growth and helps regulate calcium, magnesium and potassium in the plants, Carlsen explains. Three-Way Action Trivar uses three key modes of action to improve phosphorus availability for better plant nutrition. 1 The Levesol chelate prevents micronutrients from binding with phosphorus in the soil, making key micronutrients and phosphorus more available for plant uptake. It is an ortho-ortho EDDHA chelate known as one of the strongest and most e ective chelating agents available. The chelate works with a wide range of soil pH levels, organic matter levels and cation exchange capacity levels, says Carlsen. “This allows Trivar to be e ective across a wide variety of soil types and conditions.” Bigger Yields Last season’s challenging growing conditions allowed the value of Trivar to shine, says Carlsen. In third-party and university replicated corn trials in Iowa, Ohio, South Dakota and Arkansas fi elds, when phosphate fertilizer treated with Trivar was broadcast before planting, yield increased by an average of 6 bushels per acre over fi elds that received the same phosphate application without Trivar. “Any yield increase beyond a few bushels per acre provided a positive return on investment, and most growers saw yield bumps well above that,” he says. In northeast Nebraska, Jared Jessen, agronomy sales manager for CHS Wausa, reports growers using Trivar for the fi rst time saw average yield increases of 6 bushels per acre, with some fi elds adding as much as 8 bushels per acre, depending on pH and other contributing factors. Jessen says there were other benefi ts as well. “Plants had deeper color throughout the growing season, which is typically a sign of good plant health, and we saw improved stalk strength at harvest.” Wausa, Neb., farmer Neal Seagren used Trivar-treated MAP on all his corn acres in 2019 and saw a 5-to 6-bushels-per-acre yield increase. “We had noticeably better root development compared to plants of the same hybrid from a neighboring fi eld that didn’t use Trivar. Corn Yield Increase with Trivar Use 220 219.4 213.4 204 Yield, bushels/acre 215 210 205 200 195 Untreated Phosphate Phosphate + Trivar Source: Averaged results from third-party or university trials in Iowa, Ohio, South Dakota and Arkansas; research funded by CHS Agronomy 14 WINTER 2020 CHSINC.COM