Phosphorus fertilizer does not move in the soil, which means that it needs to be placed where a plant will be able to access it. Broadcasting the immobile nutrient across the entire field doesn’t make sense, because it won’t move to the rows where the plants are.

Phosphorus is responsible for cell division and elongation and is needed early in a plant’s life in the highest quantity. Considering the lack of movement of the fertilizer and the plant’s need for P early in its life, it makes sense to apply a phosphorus starter with the planter. Seedling roots and early crown roots of some crops will take up phosphorus; thus determining the ideal placement of the fertilizer. Feeding the soil in the fall and hoping to get some of the nutrients back for the plants in the spring can be improved upon by moving some of the fall application to a planter applied band.

Putting starter where the plant needs it when the plant needs it, takes FurrowJet. FurrowJet is a planter-mounted device that places three bands of phosphorus starter fertilizer near the furrow; one in the furrow, and two about 3/4″ away from the seed on either side. These three bands are placed right where the seedling roots and crown roots will grow, taking up the P and thriving.