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Bourgault Mid Row Banders®

MRB® & MRS™ Fertilizer Applicators Bourgault Main

 

Optimal Seed-to-Fertilizer Placement


The success of safely applying the bulk of the mobile nutrients between every other seed row has only grown as new crop varieties demonstrate greater yields with higher fertilizer rates.

  • Position the bulk of the nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers at the optimal position to establish a root dominant environment;
  • Preserve existing soil moisture by using low disturbance coulter applicators and narrow seed openers to maintain seedbed integrity;
  • Prosper by optimizing germination and emergence, especially in dry conditions - the first and most important step towards a profitable harvest.

Mid Row® Fertilizer Applicators - Durably Designed


With three options of mid row fertilizer applicators, Producers are encouraged to compare the benefits of each fertilizer application system when considering which will work best for their operation.

NEW Mid Row Bander® ID

Independent Depth Fertilizer Placement

The latest evolution of Mid Row Banders® is a result of perfecting the placement of nutrients. The MRB® ID provides independent depth placement of fertilizer, regardless of terrain or frame height adjustments.



Mid Row Bander® III

Benchmark of One-Pass Seeding

The MRB® III Fertilizer Applicator is the third version of a proven system to provide optimal placement of nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers, while maintaining a high-quality seedbed. Stemming from decades of refinement, this fixed-height coulter applicator is the benchmark for optimal seed-to-fertilizer placement.


Mid Row Shank™ III

Straightforward One-Pass Seeding

The Mid Row Shank™ III Fertilizer Application System offers a viable option for Producers that want to achieve optimal fertilizer placement with a simplified design. This system provides an uncomplicated and low maintenance approach to one-pass seeding.


 

 

MRB® Fertilizer Applicators - How They Work


Nitrogen fertilizer is placed between every other seed row.

One-Pass Seeding is Safely Achieved

  • Fertilizer is delivered with a separate distribution system to the Mid Row Bander® Fertilizer Applicators mounted on the front row of the drill.
  • The MRBs® (red arrows) are positioned between every two seed openers (green arrows).
  • Enough fertilizer for the two rows are delivered by each MRB® Fertilizer Applicator.
  • Safe amounts of starter fertilizer can be metered with the seed for immediate access.

If rates of starter fertilizer beyond what can safely be placed with the seed are required, rates can be split to include some starter fertilizer being placed in the mid row band.

This approach takes best advantage of the nitrification process, necessary for making the nutrients accessible to the plants.

 

The Nitrification Process


All urea based fertilizers (46-0-0 and 28-0-0) begin conversion to plant available forms in the presence of the urease enzyme, which first converts urea to NH3. Bacteria then drive the process of nitrification, which ultimately leads to nitrate; nitrate facilitates plant growth. Mid row placement of the crop’s main nitrogen requirements is the optimum location for eliminating the risks involved with too close seed/fertilizer proximity and facilitating timely access to nitrate for the developing plant.

Nitrification - The first step involves conversion to ammonia.

Step 1 - Ammonia

Ammonia (NH3 shown red) is initially released by ammonia and urea based fertilizer after it is applied. In this form, the fertilizer is dangerous to nearby seeds for two reasons:

  1. Ammonia is very toxic to all living things;
  2. Ammonia has a strong affinity for water, and will outcompete any nearby seeds for moisture.

These effects tend to magnify when available ground moisture is scarce. 

With mid row placement of the bulk of nitrogen fertilizer, each seed has access to adequate nutrients for germination and early seedling growth within its own shell, the surrounding soil and with starter fertilizer placed in the seed row or independently in close proximity with the TriMax™ Triple-Shoot System. 


Step 2 - Ionic hydrogen transfer from water and clay particles convert ammonia to ammonium (NH4+)

Step 2 - Ammonium

Ionic hydrogen transfer from water and clay particles convert ammonia to ammonium (NH4+ shown orange). Ammonium dissolves in soil water and can be absorbed by roots for plant growth. Ammonium is not very mobile in the soil, as it can be attracted to clay and organic matter. The rate of conversion to plant available nitrogen occurs very quickly, with access from the mid row band to the seedling roots within 2 days.


Step 3 - Certain bacteria in the soil will convert ammonium (NH4+) to nitrate.

Step 3 - Nitrate

Certain bacteria in the soil will convert ammonium (NH4+) to nitrate (NO3- shown green). Nitrate is very mobile in the soil and is also susceptible to denitrification (loss as a nitrous oxide gas) or to leaching losses. Producers want to select fertilizer banding systems that minimize the amount of time that nitrate resides in the soil before the developing crop utilizes it.
With mid row bands, the developing root system accesses the nitrate as it moves away from the surface of the nitrogen band. The plant’s roots detect the nitrate and begin to proliferate towards the source. Research has shown that by the time the plant is in the 1 to 2 leaf stage, roots often extend outwardly 100mm to 150mm inches in a mid row banding environment.

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Agronomic Studies Lead the Way


Bourgault Agronomy Trials

Understanding the Agronomy

Although it goes without saying, Bourgault has always understood that in order to develop the best seeding systems that will allow you to grow the best crops possible, it is critical to understand agronomy.

By studying relevant agronomic research, conducting original plot work and cooperating with third party agronomic research groups and independent agronomists, Bourgault has amassed an extensive and reliable database that is used to help design the most agronomically advanced seeding equipment available on the market today;  Bourgault is always working to establish best seeding practice.

Bourgault Agronomy

Find out more about the valuable data collected and published by the Bourgault Agronomy Team, available on this site under Bourgault Agronomy.

 
 

BOURGAULT,® MRB®, MID ROW BANDER®, MID ROW BANDERS® and MID-HARROW® are trademarks of Bourgault Industries Ltd. registered in Canada, registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademarks Office and in some cases, registered in additional countries.  Any trademarks referred to herein, in association with goods and/or services of companies, other than owned by or licensed to Bourgault Industries Ltd., its subsidiaries or affiliates, are the property of those respective companies.

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