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Grain Yields and Grain Nitrogen Concentration of Corn as Influenced by Fertilizer Nitrogen Rate
Author(s) -
Liang B. C.,
MacKenzie A. F.,
Zhang T. Q.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of agronomy and crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-037X
pISSN - 0931-2250
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-037x.1996.tb00239.x
Subject(s) - nitrogen , agronomy , fertilizer , grain yield , nitrogen fertilizer , yield (engineering) , human fertilization , wheat grain , crop , field experiment , chemistry , materials science , biology , metallurgy , organic chemistry
Knowledge of optimum fertilization for com production is required to increase crop yields while minimizing fertilizer costs. Field experiments were carried out from 1988 to 1993 to study the effects of fertilizer N rates on yield and N concentration of corn ( Zea mays L.) grain on a clay soil in Quebec. Grain yields and grain N concentrations generally followed a exponential relationship with increasing N fertilizer rates. The critical grain N concentration, defined as that associated with the highest grain yield, occurred at 285 kg N ha ‐1 for all years except 1969 when it occurred at 170 kg N ha ‐1 . The critical grain N concentrations and grain yields over the years were found to be linearly related. The relationship between the critical grain N concentration and grain yield could serve as a diagnostic tool for N applications.