Advancing Intensive Management of Corn Systems in Minnesota (Rainfed)

The objective of this study is to assess the potential of advanced fertilizer and crop management practices for increasing the yield and N use efficiency of continuous corn.

This site has a highly productive tile-drained, clay loam soil. Maximum corn yield in this study was 233 bu/A in 2013, 156 bu/A in 2014, and 242 bu/A in 2015. High-yield management practices, including removing 40% of corn residue prior to tillage in the previous fall, a longer-season hybrid (104 vs. 99 day), and a greater planting rate (41,000 vs. 36,000 seeds/A), increased corn yield by 18 bu/A in 2013, 35 bu/A in 2014, and 26 bu/A in 2015. Intensive practices also enhanced the efficiency of applied N fertilizer (0.66 vs. 0.71 lb N/bu in 2013; 1.32 vs. 1.74 lb N/bu in 2014; 0.78 vs. 0.87 lb N/bu in 2015). Compared to standard practices, a fertilizer management program that included P and K applications based on grain nutrient removal, surface-dribbled N near the row at planting, and an additional sidedressed 40 lb N/A increased corn yield by 23 bu/A in 2013, 31 bu/A in 2014, and 12 bu/A in 2015. Yield increases with advanced fertilizer management were consistent with both standard and high-yield management.

These results demonstrate the potential for growers to close yield gaps in continuously grown corn by pairing advanced fertilizer management with intensified cropping systems that include partial stover removal, longer-season hybrids, and greater planting rates.