infurrow

Infurrow, often written as in-furrow or in furrow, is an agricultural practice in which seeds and/or inputs such as fertilizers or pesticides are placed in the furrow opened by planting equipment. The term is used in agronomy and crop production to describe input placement at the seed bed, as opposed to broadcast or deep banding methods.

Methods vary: seeds may be placed in the same furrow as starter fertilizer, or fertilizer may be applied in a shallow furrow slightly ahead of or beside the seed. The technique is common in row crops such as corn and soybeans and often uses equipment outfitted with in-furrow attachments or adapters to ensure accurate placement.

Advantages include potentially improved seedling vigor and faster early uptake of nutrients, better moisture contact, and reduced losses from volatilization or leaching. It can be advantageous in dry or compacted soils with adequate moisture. Disadvantages include the risk of seedling injury from high salt or concentrated nutrients, and greater reliance on precise calibration and soil conditions.

Variants and related concepts include in-furrow seed placement without fertilizer, in-furrow starter fertilizer programs, and in-furrow pesticide applications. The practice is described in extension guidelines and agronomy literature as a component of placement strategies used to optimize germination and establishment. See also furrow and related planting placement methods.