Evaluation of in-furrow compost extract in corn
Mark Enninga
This proposed MN Corn Growers Innovation Grant aims to evaluate the use of in-furrow compost extract (CE) in corn production. The novel concept of using compost as a microbial inoculant has recently become a more widely discussed topic in many ag online forums, YouTube videos, and soil health/regenerative ag forums with possible benefits including better nutrient cycling, increased plant growth, and disease suppression. If these benefits are occurring, higher corn yields and reduction in purchased fertilizer inputs could be possible.
Compost can be made from farm derived feedstocks, such as tree leaves, corn stalks, green material, bedding pack, and wood chips. CE can be manufactured on farm as well, which may reduce the need to purchase synthetic fertilizers, thus improving farm profitability. While the use of compost applied through a spreader has been used to improve the soil for many years, it takes significant tons of compost for remediation purposes. Compost extract (CE), is made by placing a diverse compost into a strainer (mesh bag or small screen) and using water to forcefully dislodge and suspend the biology (bacteria and fungi) and carbon into small particles smaller than a half a millimeter can be used to jump-start soil biology if used as an inoculant. A small amount of compost (1,000 lbs.) can be extracted to amend over 1,000 acres. The proposed project would evaluate placing 8 gallons of CE in-furrow during corn planting on 30 acres of fall strip-tilled ground in a 6-replication randomized plot trial and take place on farm ground located in Nobles County, Minnesota
We hypothesize that using CE in-furrow during corn planting will result in better soil nutrient cycling, increased plant growth, and disease suppression, which in turn, produce significantly higher corn yields.
The proposed research project primarily focuses on the economic and management innovations priority area of the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council (MCR&PC). Additionally, we will also be concentrating on continuing the successful implementation of strip-till into our standard farming practices, which fits into the MCR&PC focus areas of tillage innovations and production practices that enhance water quality.
