The PUDAMA principle uses spot placement of fertiliser with maize, rather than continuous fertiliser placement. And 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 with a 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 product manager Graham Owen. “Results showed that, maize grown using PUDAMA with a 25% reduction in starter fertiliser compared to 100% continuous placement of fertiliser, generated an almost identical yield.”
“Dry matter yield produced 16,412kg/ha for conventionally grown maize, against PUDAMA’s 16,376kg/ha. That represents a reduction in fertiliser use for a difference of just 36kg of dry matter.”
With a patented air-shot and brush mechanism that preserves fertiliser quality, PUDAMA is to become more widely available, as the folding frame Optima F model now gets PUDAMA capability.
Want to speak to a specialist?
E-Mail Graham Owen, Kverneland seeding specialist: info-uksales@kvernelandgroup.com
