Fertilizer Application Rate
Calculate the pounds per acre of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to apply based on soil test results and crop nutrient requirements.
Inputs
Results
Nitrogen to Apply
130 lbs/acre
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the crop type and yield goal in bushels per acre.
- Input current soil test values for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Set the fertilizer product and its nutrient analysis (N-P-K percentages).
- Review recommended application rate per acre and total product needed for the field.
- Compare to soil test recommendations and adjust for manure credits if applicable.
How the result changes with Crop N Requirement
| Crop N Requirement | Nitrogen to Apply |
|---|---|
| 30 | 0 lbs/acre |
| 105 | 75 lbs/acre |
| 195 | 165 lbs/acre |
| 270 | 240 lbs/acre |
What each input means
- Soil Nitrogen (NO3)
- Nitrate-nitrogen level from your soil test report in parts per million.
- Soil Phosphorus
- Available phosphorus (Olsen or Bray P1) from your soil test in ppm.
- Soil Potassium
- Exchangeable potassium from your soil test in ppm.
- Crop N Requirement
- Total nitrogen the crop needs in lbs per acre. Corn: 140-200; wheat: 80-120; soybean: 0 (fixes own N).
- Crop P2O5 Requirement
- Phosphorus (as P2O5) the crop needs in lbs per acre.
- Crop K2O Requirement
- Potassium (as K2O) the crop needs in lbs per acre.
- Field Size
- Total field area in acres for calculating total fertilizer tonnage.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersSoil Nitrogen (NO3) = 15, Soil Phosphorus = 20, Soil Potassium = 150, Crop N Requirement = 160 = 7 input(s) provided
- Calculate Nitrogen to ApplyNitrogen to Apply130 = 130
- Calculate P2O5 to ApplyP2O5 to Apply20 = 20
- Calculate K2O to ApplyK2O to Apply0 = 0
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