Advancing Intensive Management of Corn Systems in Minnesota (Rainfed)

Two Global Maize sites are located in Minnesota. The objective for both is to assess the potential of advanced fertilizer and crop management practices for increasing the yield and nitrogen (N) use efficiency of continuous corn. This site is a high-productivity, tile-drained, clay loam soil (Waseca, MN) with maximum corn yield in this study averaging 222 bu/A. High-yield management practices, including removing 40% of corn residue prior to tillage 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 13 to 34 bu/A depending on the year. Intensive practices also enhanced the agronomic efficiency of applied N fertilizer from 0.52 to 0.60 lb N/bu across the years.

Compared to standard practices, a fertilizer management program that included phosphorus and potassium applications based on grain nutrient removal, surface-banded N and sulfur applied near the row at planting, and an additional sidedressed 40 lb N/A increased corn yield by 7 to 26 bu/A, through the study. 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 continuous corn by pairing advanced fertilizer management with intensified cropping systems that include partial stover removal, longer-season hybrids, and higher seed planting rates.