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Influence of Weather on Year‐to‐Year Yield Response of Corn to Ammonia Fertilization 1
Author(s) -
Hollinger S. E.,
Hoeft R. G.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1986.00021962007800050015x
Subject(s) - human fertilization , yield (engineering) , precipitation , zoology , fertilizer , agronomy , nitrogen , mathematics , field experiment , crop yield , linear regression , limiting , environmental science , chemistry , statistics , biology , meteorology , geography , physics , mechanical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering , thermodynamics
Multi‐year N studies have shown large year‐to‐year variation in the yield response of corn ( Zea mays L.) to N fertilization. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine which normally predicted and measured weather variables account for this year‐to‐year variability; and (ii) to suggest a climate forecast design that will provide the most flexibility in planning N fertilization programs. Relative yield responses to N treatments were obtained from 6 yr of field research on a fine, silty, mixed mesic Typic Haplaquolls. Relative yields and spring N treatments were transformed using natural logarithms (In). The transformed N treatments accounted for more than 95% of the transformed yield responses in 5 of the 6 yr. The only year the regression failed to fit accurately was a very hot, dry year when there was a negative response to N. The analog of the equation was used to obtain α and β coefficients, where α is the fraction of maximum yield expected if no N is applied, and β is the rate of yield increase with each additional unit of applied fertilizer. The α and β values were then related to the ratio of precipitation/evaporation (P/E) from the 11 June to 15 July period in each of the 6 yr. The quadratic relationship explained 99% of the variation in α and 95% of the variation in β. When P/E is less than optimum, water is limiting and the plant is unable to use the applied nitrogen efficiently. When P/E is greater than optimum, N may be lost through denitrification and/or leaching and is thus, unavailable to the plant.