Problems with Kinze planter using Totally Tubular fertilizer system

[Thefarmlawyer]

I have an elderly farm client that purchased a brand new kinze planter and the salesman advised he go with the totally tubular fertilizer application system. The salesman said this would allow fertilizer to be placed in row, beneath the seed, for better results. However, the fertilizer ended up burning the seed to where he only had about 12k population. I suspect the salesman did not counsel him on not being able to use high sulfur fertilizer, but I am not sure. I am wondering if anyone else has had similar experience. If so, or if you have any thoughts, I would appreciate it. Very nice elderly farmer that I would like to see him recoup his damages. Thank you.

 

[Kyle M]

I have an elderly farm client that purchased a brand new kinze planter and the salesman advised he go with the totally tubular fertilizer application system. The salesman said this would allow fertilizer to be placed in row, beneath the seed, for better results.

Wasn't he stating the obvious?

However, the fertilizer ended up burning the seed to where he only had about 12k population.

In how many acres and what was he planting?

I suspect the salesman did not counsel him on not being able to use high sulfur fertilizer, but I am not sure.

That's what it sounds like to me as well. You never mentioned anything about the ph pevels in the soil. This is important when determining what type of fertilizer to spread for what type of crop. They all go hand in hand. The method of application doesn't matter as much as what is being applied.

 

[Thefarmlawyer]

Thank you. He was planting corn and there was about 300 acres he planted. Was shooting for 32k population, got 12k. I don't know the soil ph. It is a lighter sandy loam and he told me the seed salesman said he could put on 10 gal per acre. I tend to agree that it is not so much the application, but the product. I do know that usually if you are going in furrow, guys use the "pop up" via a separate tank on the planter. At least that is what we do.

 

[Kyle M]

Well, if your friend has never had this problem before with the same soil and has always used fertilizer with the same NPK ratio, I really don't know. It sounds like your best course of action would be to take 2 soil samples, one from the good patch and one from the bad, take them clearly marked to your local extension office and have them test the chemical composition of both. Make sure you tell them what the fertilizer ratio was. I'll bet you anything that the answer to your issue lies in those results. Like the ammonia level is way too high in the "burnt" area.

This might shed some light on it for you as well.

 

[FarmHand]

Agree on the soil testing.