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Cropping System Affects Polymer‐Coated Urea Release and Corn Yield Response in Claypan Soils
Author(s) -
Nelson K. A.,
Motavalli P. P.,
Dudenhoeffer C. J.
Publication year - 2014
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/jac.12040
Subject(s) - urea , agronomy , cropping system , fertilizer , chemistry , ammonium nitrate , multiple cropping , crop yield , crop , biology , sowing , organic chemistry
Preplant‐applied, urea‐based fertilizer management in high‐residue, no‐till ( NT ) corn ( Z ea mays L .) is challenging because of potential N loss due to cool, wet conditions in the spring and dry conditions during the summer months. Field research evaluated the effects of polymer‐coated urea ( PCU ) application timing, placement and cropping system on urea release for corn and determined corn yield response to PCU on claypan soils following wheat ( T riticum aestivum L .) cropping systems [reduced‐till corn following wheat, no‐till corn following wheat with double‐cropped ( DC ) soybean [ G lycine max ( L .) M err.] and no‐till corn following wheat with a frost‐seeded red clover ( FSC ) ( T rifolium pratense L .) cover crop]. Urea release from PCU was <35 % from fall through winter ( N ovember– J anuary) and <20 % for early preplant ( F ebruary– M arch) applications until 1 A pril. By 1 A ugust, less urea was released in some instances from surface applications of PCU following FSC or DC soybean, but release was generally greater than in the absence of soil. No‐till corn following DC soybean or FSC had yields that were 1.01–1.32 Mg ha −1 greater when grown with PCU compared to urea at 168 kg N ha −1 . Grain yields were similar within no‐till cropping systems with PCU , anhydrous ammonia and sidedressed urea ammonium nitrate ( UAN ) at 168 kg N ha −1 . Farmers should recognize that high yields may not be obtained if PCU rates are reduced by 50 % (84 kg N ha −1 ) in high‐residue ( DC soybean or FSC ), no‐till production systems. Several N sources such as PCU , anhydrous ammonia and sidedressed UAN worked similarly in high‐residue, no‐till systems, although no differences between N sources were observed in a reduced‐tillage system.