Rye fertilizer recommendations
Although the number of acres planted to this crop is not large, it remains a major component of some farm enterprises in Minnesota. This is a favorite crop used in rotation for those who farm sandy soils that are not irrigated. Fertilizer use is a major factor in attaining profitable yields.
The majority of this crop is grown on sandy soils. Since the soil test for NO3--N is NOT suggested for use on sandy soils, guidelines for nitrogen use are based on a consideration of expected yield, previous crop, and soil organic matter content. Table 1 summarizes those guidelines.
Table 1: Nitrogen fertilizer guidelines for rye production
| Crop grown last year | Organic matter level* | Expected yield: 40-49 bushels per acre | Expected yield: 50-59 bushels per acre | Expected yield: 60-69 bushels per acre | Expected yield: 70-79 bushels per acre | Expected yield: 80+ bushels per acre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa (4+ plants per square foot) | Low | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 35 lbs. of N per acre | 60 lbs. of N per acre | 95 lbs. of N per acre |
| Alfalfa (4+ plants per square foot) | Medium and high | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 40 lbs. of N per acre | 75 lbs. of N per acre |
| Alfalfa (2 to 3 plants per square foot) | Low | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 40 lbs. of N per acre | 65 lbs. of N per acre | 90 lbs. of N per acre |
| Alfalfa (2 to 3 plants per square foot) | Medium and high | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 20 lbs. of N per acre | 45 lbs. of N per acre | 70 lbs. of N per acre |
| Soybeans Alfalfa (1 or fewer plants per square foot) | Low | 40 lbs. of N per acre | 65 lbs. of N per acre | 90 lbs. of N per acre | 115 lbs. of N per acre | 140 lbs. of N per acre |
| Soybeans Alfalfa (1 or fewer plants per square foot) | Medium and high | 20 lbs. of N per acre | 45 lbs. of N per acre | 70 lbs. of N per acre | 95 lbs. of N per acre | 120 lbs. of N per acre |
| Edible beans, field peas | Low | 50 lbs. of N per acre | 75 lbs. of N per acre | 100 lbs. of N per acre | 125 lbs. of N per acre | 150 lbs. of N per acre |
| Edible beans, field peas | Medium and high | 30 lbs. of N per acre | 55 lbs. of N per acre | 80 lbs. of N per acre | 105 lbs. of N per acre | 130 lbs. of N per acre |
| Group 1 crops (see below) | Low | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 35 lbs. of N per acre | 60 lbs. of N per acre | 85 lbs. of N per acre | 110 lbs. of N per acre |
| Group 1 crops (see below) | Medium and high | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 0 lbs. of N per acre | 40 lbs. of N per acre | 65 lbs. of N per acre | 90 lbs. of N per acre |
| Group 2 crops (see below) | Low | 60 lbs. of N per acre | 85 lbs. of N per acre | 110 lbs. of N per acre | 135 lbs. of N per acre | 160 lbs. of N per acre |
| Group 2 crops (see below) | Medium and high | 40 lbs. of N per acre | 65 lbs. of N per acre | 90 lbs. of N per acre | 115 lbs. of N per acre | 140 lbs. of N per acre |
Crops in Group 1:
Alsike clover, birdsfoot trefoil, grass/legume hay, grass legume pasture, fallow and red clover.
Crops in Group 2:
Barley, buckwheat, canola, corn, grass hay, grass pasture, oat, potato, rye, sorghum-sudan, sugar beet, sunflower, sweet corn, triticale and wheat.
Application method
We suggest a topdress application to established stands in early spring. There is no need for the use of split applications.
Suggested rates for phosphate use (Table 2) should be broadcast and incorporated before planting.
Use one of the following equations if you want a phosphate guideline for a specific soil test and a specific expected yield:
- Recommended P2O5 = [1.071 - (0.054) (Bray P in ppm)] (Expected yield)
- Recommended P2O5 = [1.071 - (0.067) (Olsen P in ppm)] (Expected yield)
Table 2: Phosphate guidelines for rye production
| Expected yield | P soil test: 0-5 parts per million (ppm) Bray and 0-3 ppm Olsen | P soil test: 6-10 ppm Bray and 4-7 ppm Olsen | P soil test: 11-15 ppm Bray and 8-11 ppm Olsen | P soil test: 16-20 ppm Bray and 12-15 ppm Olsen | P soil test: 21+ ppm Bray and 16+ ppm Olsen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40-49 lbs. per acre | 40 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 30 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 15 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 0 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 0 lbs. of P2O5 per acre |
| 50-59 lbs. per acre | 50 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 35 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 20 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 0 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 0 lbs. of P2O5 per acre |
| 60-69 lbs. per acre | 60 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 45 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 20 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 0 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 0 lbs. of P2O5 per acre |
| 70-79 lbs. per acre | 70 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 50 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 25 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 0 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 0 lbs. of P2O5 per acre |
| 80+ lbs. per acre | 80 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 55 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 25 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 0 lbs. of P2O5 per acre | 0 lbs. of P2O5 per acre |
Suggested rates for potash use (Table 3) should be broadcast and incorporated before planting.
Use the following equation if you want a potash guideline for a specific soil test and a specific expected yield:
- Recommended K2O = [2.710 - (0.017) (Soil test K in ppm)] (Expected yield)
Table 3: Potash guidelines for rye production
| Expected yield | K soil test: 0-40 ppm | K soil test: 0-40 ppm K soil test: 41-80 ppm | K soil test: 81-120 ppm | K soil test: 121-160 ppm | K soil test: 161+ ppm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40-49 lbs. per acre | 100 lbs. of K2O per acre | 75 lbs. of K2O per acre | 45 lbs. of K2O per acre | 0 lbs. of K2O per acre | 0 lbs. of K2O per acre |
| 50-59 lbs. per acre | 130 lbs. of K2O per acre | 95 lbs. of K2O per acre | 55 lbs. of K2O per acre | 0 lbs. of K2O per acre | 0 lbs. of K2O per acre |
| 60-69 lbs. per acre | 155 lbs. of K2O per acre | 110 lbs. of K2O per acre | 65 lbs. of K2O per acre | 0 lbs. of K2O per acre | 0 lbs. of K2O per acre |
| 70-79 lbs. per acre | 180 lbs. of K2O per acre | 125 lbs. of K2O per acre | 75 lbs. of K2O per acre | 0 lbs. of K2O per acre | 0 lbs. of K2O per acre |
| 80+ lbs. per acre | 190 lbs. of K2O per acre | 135 lbs. of K2O per acre | 80 lbs. of K2O per acre | 0 lbs. of K2O per acre | 0 lbs. of K2O per acre |
Use of other nutrients in a fertilizer program has not increased rye yields in Minnesota. Therefore, use of other nutrients is not suggested at this time.
Reviewed in 2018