The Kverneland PUDAMA principle delivers spot placement of fertiliser in maize, rather than continuous fertiliser placement. As a result, it has the capability to deliver a 25% saving on starter fertiliser, with no noticeable loss of yield.
A series of trials carried out in the UK by Kverneland during the 2023 season have supported those of around 30 Europe-wide trials, which proved that spot placement can maintain yield while delivering a worthwhile reduction of input costs.
“We used an 8-row trailed Optima TF profi equipped with PUDAMA, and compared the results at harvest to maize grown with conventional fertiliser placement,” explains Kverneland seeding specialist Graham Owen.
“Over a one-hectare plot, the dry matter yield produced 16,412kg of maize grown conventionally, against PUDAMA’s 16,376kg,” adds Mr Owen. “In real terms, that represents a significant cost saving with fertiliser, for a difference of just 36kg of dry matter.”
With a patented air-shot and brush mechanism that preserves fertiliser quality, PUDAMA is available on the Optima TF Profi maize drill model as well as the folding frame Optima F model, where its 6m folding frame can carry up to 12 SX seeding units for those wanting a 50cm row width; or eight units working at 75m row spacings.
Email Graham Owen, Kverneland seeding specialist:
