Quick facts
- Rye is a favorite crop used in rotation for sandy soils that are not irrigated.
- Topdress nitrogen in established stands in early spring.
- Phosphate and potash should be broadcast and incorporated before planting.
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.
Nitrogen guidelines
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 expected yield, previous crop and soil organic matter content.
Topdress established stands in early spring. There is no need for the use of split applications.
Nitrogen guidelines for rye
Crop grown last year | Organic matter level* | 40-49 bu/acre | 50-59 bu/acre | 60-69 bu/acre | 70-79 bu/acre | 80+ bu/acre |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alfalfa (4+ plants/ft2) | Low | 0 lb N/acre | 0 lb N/acre | 0 lb N/acre | 0 lb N/acre | 0 lb N/acre |
Alfalfa (4+ plants/ft2) | Medium/High | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 75 |
Alfalfa (2-3 plants/ft2) | Medium/High | 0 | 0 | 40 | 65 | 90 |
Alfalfa (2-3 plants/ft2) | Medium/High | 0 | 0 | 20 | 45 | 70 |
Soybeans or alfalfa (1 or less plants/ft2) | Low | 40 | 65 | 90 | 115 | 140 |
Soybeans or alfalfa (1 or less plants/ft2) | Medium/High | 20 | 45 | 70 | 95 | 120 |
Edible beans, field peas | Low | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 | 150 |
Edible beans, field peas | Medium/High | 30 | 55 | 80 | 105 | 130 |
Group 1 Crops | Low | 0 | 35 | 60 | 85 | 110 |
Group 1 Crops | Medium/High | 0 | 0 | 40 | 65 | 90 |
Group 2 Crops | Low | 60 | 85 | 110 | 135 | 160 |
Group 2 Crops | Medium/High | 40 | 65 | 90 | 115 | 140 |
*low = less than 3.0%; medium and high = 3.0% or more. Crops in Group 1: Alsike clover, birdsfoot trefoil, grass/legume hay, grass legume pasture, fallow, 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, wheat.
Phosphate and potash guidelines
The suggested rates of phosphate and potash should be broadcast and incorporated before planting.
Phosphate fertilizer guidelines*
Expected Yield Bray-P1 Expected Yield Olsen |
0-5 ppm 0-3 ppm |
6-10 ppm 4-7 ppm |
11-15 ppm 8-11 ppm |
16-20 ppm 12-15 ppm |
21+ ppm 16+ ppm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
40-49 bushels/acre | 40 lb./acre | 30 lb./acre | 15 lb./acre | 0 lb./acre | 0 lb./acre |
50-59 bushels/acre | 50 | 35 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
60-69 bushels/acre | 60 | 45 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
70-79 bushels/acre | 70 | 50 | 25 | 0 | 0 |
80+ bushels/acre | 80 | 55 | 25 | 0 | 0 |
*Pounds of P2O5 suggested to apply per acre for rye production based on either the Bray-P1 or Olsen soil methods test reported in parts per million (ppm).
Use one of the following equations if a phosphate guideline for a specific soil test and a specific expected yield is desired:
- P2O5rec = [1.071 - (0.054) (Bray P, ppm)] (Expected Yield)
- P2O5rec = [1.071 - (0.087) (Olsen P, ppm)] (Expected Yield)
Potash fertilizer guidelines *
Expected Yield | 0-40 ppm | 41-80 ppm | 81-120 ppm | 121-160 ppm | 160+ ppm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
40-49 bushels/acre | 100 lb./acre | 75 lb./acre | 45 lb./acre | 0 lb./acre | 0 lb./acre |
50-59 bushels/acre | 130 | 95 | 55 | 0 | 0 |
60-69 bushels/acre | 155 | 110 | 65 | 0 | 0 |
70-79 bushels/acre | 180 | 125 | 75 | 0 | 0 |
80+ bushels/acre | 190 | 135 | 80 | 0 | 0 |
*Pounds of K2O suggested to apply per acre) for rye production based on the ammonium acetate potassium test reported in parts per million (ppm).
Use the following equation if a potash guideline for a specific soil test and a specific expected yield is desired:
- K2O rec = [2.710 - (0.017) (Soil Test K, ppm)] (Expected Yield)
Other nutrients
Use of other nutrients in a fertilizer program has not increased rye yields in Minnesota, so other nutrients are not suggested at this time.
Reviewed in 2023