Value of Cultural Practices for Improving Nitrogen Management in Corn
Wessel, Jeffrey Ronald
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/85036
Description
Title
Value of Cultural Practices for Improving Nitrogen Management in Corn
Author(s)
Wessel, Jeffrey Ronald
Issue Date
2007
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Fred E. Below
Department of Study
Crop Sciences
Discipline
Crop Sciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Agriculture, Agronomy
Language
eng
Abstract
Production and profitability of corn (Zea mays L.) is highly dependent on fertilizer nitrogen (N) use. The efficiency of fertilizer N use and the capacity of the soil to supply N are the two main components determining the corn N requirement. The cropping management system can also affect N use efficiency and soil N supply. A better understanding of the impact of management practices on corn N requirements is needed due to high N costs and increasing environmental scrutiny over fertilizer N use. The overall objective of this work was to characterize how cultural practices influence corn N requirements, and to develop strategies to adjust for any differences. The approach was to vary the N supply using different management practices over multiple sites and years. Practices evaluated included time of N application, degree of tillage, and varying levels of corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.) larval damage. Results showed that management practices such as reduced tillage and/or fall or winter applied N can have a greater N requirement compared with more conventional production methods. The economic return to fertilizer N increased with increasing root injury and with decreasing tillage. Fall and winter N applications can cause large yield losses when compared to spring, however these losses can be predicted with spring rainfall and corrected with in-season N based on predicted loss. Management practices that increase the economic response to N, such as reduced tillage and increased root injury, have a greater likelihood of causing N stress and lower yield when other management practices, or environmental conditions decrease the availability of N.
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