How to Plant Anhydrous Corn

Use a specialized piece of farm equipment to inject the fertilizer directly into the soil. Equipment needed includes a pressurized "nurse" tank containing anhydrous ammonia connected to the feed system, a nutrient applicator towed behind the tractor that includes a metering system, manifolds and injection knives placed behind the planter attachment coulters. The fertilizer automatically dispenses as the tractor moves.

Set the injector depths to place the anhydrous ammonia at minimum 7 to 8 inches deep into dry soil. This method applies the fertilizer directly into the ground by adjusting the down-pressure on the specific nutrient applicator to the appropriate depth. The nutrient applicator uses an automatic metering system to flow liquid anhydrous ammonia to the injectors pre-set to the correct depth. The injector knives automatically insert into the ground at regular intervals as tractor tows the applicator. As nutrient applicators vary by manufacturer and age of equipment, make sure you set the depth correctly for the application so as not to release the anhydrous ammonia into the air; though injected as a liquid, it releases as a poisonous gas.

Adjust the planter attachment to plant corn at the depth for your farm's region and weather, approximately 15 inches away from the injection of anhydrous ammonia, as per the recommendations from Corn and Soybean Digest when using the nutrient applicator in conjunction with the planter.