Effect of Nitrogen Rate on No-till Corn Yield
ISSN 2158-9429
Volume 5, Issue 1 - June 2012
Editor: Bindu Poudel-Ward
Abstract
The optimum corn nitrogen application rate varies from year to year as environmental conditions such as soil moisture impact corn yield. The objective of these experiments was to demonstrate to growers that the optimum nitrogen rates vary from year to year and may need to be managed during the growing season. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied as ammonium nitrate at a rate of 0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 pounds of nitrogen per acre. The ammonium nitrate was surface applied at planting time on no-till corn following soybean. Seven years of data are summarized showing the optimum rate varied from year to year. One year, 2011, had the highest nitrogen efficiency producing over 200 bushels of corn with 120 pounds of nitrogen. The years of 2005 and 2006 produced approximately 200 bushels per acre of corn with 180 pounds of nitrogen applied. Years 2007 and 2008 required 240 pounds of nitrogen to grow approximately 200 bushels of corn. Years 2009 and 2010 required the highest nitrogen rate of 300 pounds to maximize yields. Corn yields were maximized within a range from 120 to 300 pounds of nitrogen per acre depending on the year.
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