Long-term Optimum Nitrogen Rate for Corn Yield and Soil Organic Matter
IPNI-2008-CAN-ON29
17 Feb 2010
2009 Annual Interpretive Summary
Decisions on optimum N rates are often made on the basis of single-year responses. Data are limited on the long-term impact on productivity and soil organic matter of rates higher or lower than these short-term optima. This controlled experiment was designed as a base for testing the application of dynamic soil-crop-atmosphere models as predictors of N rates for corn that optimize sustainability. The specific objectives include: (1) assessment of short and long-term effects of N on productivity, environmental impact, profitability, and cropping system sustainability; and (2) validation of crop models, such as Hybrid Maize, for simulating yield potential, seasonal growth and yield, and fertilizer N management requirements.
The 2009 growing season was the first in which treatments were applied. Economically optimum rates of N were 15% higher than recommended for the pre-plant application, and 32% higher than recommended for the side-dress application, possibly because of a relatively cool, wet, and long growing season. Corn grain N concentration was 0.60 to 0.66 lb/bu at rates of N sufficient for maximum economic yield. Residual soil nitrate increased sharply when N rates exceeded the economic optimum, and were higher for side-dress than for pre-plant N applications. This project also received support from the Ontario Agri Business Association, for sampling soil residual nitrate and soil organic carbon. The project implementation so far forms an excellent basis for achieving the long-term objectives. ON-29