In the past, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers have generally been applied broadcast to the surface and incorporated or have been shallow banded in a concentrated band with many variations of these two methods. When dry conditions exist, it may be beneficial to place nitrogen deeper than is now the common practice.

The deep banding dry materials applicator, developed in 1985 at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) Delta Branch, Stoneville, MS, provides a method for correcting subsoil acidity and/or subsoil nutrient deficiencies. Deep applications of phosphorus and/or potassium fertilizer have increased yields where low levels of these nutrients occurred in subsoils with soil pH levels above 5.5.

Sampling and testing to deeper soil depths (below 611) is necessary to determine the potential success of the deep banding dry materials applicator. Soil tests from deeper samples shall answer at least three questions before this applicator can be utilized successfully:

1)Does the subsoil have desirable pH levels and physical properties to support good deep root growth? 2) What nutrients are deficient? 3) Where are the deficiencies in the soil profile?

Additional research is needed on this new production concept before large scale implementation should be attempted. Producers who are interested in correcting subsoil acidity and/or nutrient deficiencies should look at this practice on a trial basis. Although, deep band placement of dry materials to correct subsoil problems looks promising, only time will tell if it becomes a standard management practice to correct subsoil deficiencies.