Throughout the 2023 growing season, Corteva Agriscience partnered with Dan Quinn, assistant professor of agronomy at Purdue University, to perform several trials of Instinct NXTGEN nitrogen (N) stabilizer. Trial objectives were to gather data on corn yield, plant N uptake and soil N availability on plots that received N treated with Instinct versus plots that were left untreated by Instinct.

Quinn and his team conducted 13 total treatments and 4 replications of each treatment. The varying treatment types represent the most common N application scenarios in Midwest cornfields. Both urea and UAN 28% fertilizer treatments were represented in these scenarios.

Preliminary results suggest two key trends:

• The most significant yield differentiation came from the split application treatment test.

80 pounds of UAN 28% were applied at plant and at about the V4 to V6 sidedress stage on both plots. One plot received a split rate of Instinct (12 ounces per acre) with each application. The other remained untreated with Instinct. Plots receiving N treated with Instinct yielded an average of 288.2 bushels per acre, while plots that received N without Instinct yielded an average of 285.5 bushels per acre.

• Instinct NXTGEN nitrogen stabilizer delays the conversion of ammonium to nitrate following a N fertilizer application.

By extending N availability in the soil for up to 8 weeks, Instinct helps ensure N is available in the root zone when corn needs it most during critical growth stages. Soil N tests were taken in all test plots at 4, 6 and 8 weeks from planting. Samples were taken at depths of 0-6 inches, 6-12 inches and 12-24 inches.

More comprehensive results will be published in 2024.