Split, stabilize, succeed: A plan to keep spring nitrogen from slipping away

Nitrogen is one of the most expensive inputs in corn production — and one of the easiest to lose. In warm, wet conditions, it can convert and leach away before the crop ever gets a chance to use it. That’s why split applications and stabilization aren’t just agronomic choices — they’re economic ones.

If nitrogen takes off before the corn does, yield potential — and your investment — go with it. 

To ensure nitrogen stays in the field for the crop, more growers are turning to split-application strategies. This spreads nitrogen across multiple timings to match supply with crop demand — improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing risk of loss.  

Here’s how different application timings can work together to protect your nitrogen investment and keep nutrients available when the crop needs them most.

• Fall anhydrous applications take advantage of drier soils, temperatures below 50 F and available time for application. Anhydrous is the most concentrated source of nitrogen and quickly converts to ammonium (NH₄⁺) in moist soil.
• Spring anhydrous applications can be made as temperatures rise, but must be completed at least seven to 10 days before planting to avoid seedling injury.
• Urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) can be used preplant, at planting, or sidedress in a liquid form that enables multiple application options.  
• Midseason sidedress applications of UAN or urea provide nitrogen closest to the crop’s peak uptake period.

 However, simply adopting a split-application approach may not guarantee results — weather remains the wild card.  

Unpredictable weather requires risk management

 Unpredictable weather is a challenge for all nitrogen applications because nitrogen is mobile and prone to loss. Moisture and temperature drive the speed of nitrification, and both can change quickly. 

Crops use nitrogen as ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻), but they prefer ammonium because it’s easier to absorb and is less prone to leaching. The key is keeping nitrogen in the ammonium form until the crop needs it, increasing uptake and improving nitrogen-use efficiency. Some may believe there’s no need to stabilize sidedress applications because they’re applied close to the crop’s uptake period. However, when soil temperatures reach 70 F, it only takes nine days for nitrogen to fully convert to the leachable nitrate form. 

One way to manage weather-related nitrogen losses is by using tools that help keep nitrogen in place, especially after significant rainfall. That’s particularly important on sandy soils, where leaching is a concern, or on heavier soils that can stay saturated and lose nitrogen through denitrification.  

Protecting nitrogen and your bottom line from loss

 Using a proven nitrogen stabilizer can help keep nitrogen in the ammonium form longer, improving availability even when weather doesn’t cooperate. 

 A nitrogen stabilizer slows down the Nitrosomonas bacteria that convert ammonium to nitrate. Relied on by growers for nearly 50 years, nitrapyrin is an effective nitrogen stabilizer that works underground, where up to 70% of nitrogen loss can occur through leaching or denitrification.  

Instinct NXTGEN^® nitrogen stabilizer is an encapsulated formulation of nitrapyrin used for preplant, preemergence, at-plant row or band-injection applications with UAN. It can be applied with liquid fertilizer or tank-mixed with most herbicides and insecticides applied prior to or at planting. 

 Because it is surface-stable, the product can be used with spring urea and liquid manure applications, while N-Serve^® nitrogen stabilizer is used with spring anhydrous ammonia applications to mitigate nitrogen loss. Multiple peer-reviewed studies and field locations show nitrapyrin is proven to increase yield potential by up to 5.2% when used with spring nitrogen applications.¹  

An investment that yields

Purdue University conducted several nitrogen stabilizer trials during the 2023 season that delivered similar results to study the impact of the encapsulated formulation in Instinct NXTGEN nitrogen stabilizer on different nitrogen fertilizers and application times. 

 The most significant difference came from the split-application treatment test: 

• The stabilized split application of Instinct NXTGEN nitrogen stabilizer yielded 289.5 bu./A, while the non-stabilized plot yielded 279.3 bu./A. 
• Both plots received 80 pounds of UAN 28% applied at plant and again at the V4-V6 growth stage. 
• One plot received a split rate of Instinct NXTGEN nitrogen stabilizer (12 oz./A) with each application. The other remained non-stabilized. 
• It’s worth noting, the field received heavy rainfall in the weeks after the second application, underscoring how a proven nitrogen stabilizer like Instinct NXTGEN nitrogen stabilizer helps protect nitrogen under unpredictable conditions. 

 By using a proven nitrogen stabilizer, you'll have peace of mind knowing your spring-applied nitrogen remains available up to eight weeks later – just as the corn plant begins requiring larger amounts of nitrogen for top-end yield potential. 

Learn more about these proven solutions and calculate your potential return on investment at NitrogenStabilizers.com. 

¹ Wolt, J.D. 2004. A meta-evaluation of nitrapyrin agronomic and environmental effectiveness with emphasis on corn production in the Midwest. Numbers cited are average results comparing nitrogen applications applied with Optinyte^® technology vs. non-stabilized applications. Results may vary.

Instinct NXTGEN^® is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Do not fall-apply anhydrous ammonia south of Highway 16 in the state of Illinois. Always read and follow label directions.