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Nitrogen Concentration of Young Corn Plants as an Indicator of Nitrogen Availability
Author(s) -
Binford G. D.,
Blackmer A. M.,
Cerrato M. E.
Publication year - 1992
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/agronj1992.00021962008400020019x
Subject(s) - agronomy , nitrogen , zea mays , fertilizer , poaceae , soil water , soil test , plant tissue , environmental science , chemistry , biology , botany , soil science , organic chemistry
Soil tests for evaluating the N status of cornfields in late spring show promise as a tool for improving N management during corn production. An alternative tool for evaluating N status is tissue testing, which offers the potential advantages of easier sampling and better integration of factors that influence N availability. Here we evaluate total N concentrations of whole corn ( Zea mays L.) plants in late spring as an indicator of N availability in cornfields. Studies were conducted at 14 site‐years in Iowa during 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1989. Whole plant samples were taken when corn was 15 to 30 cm tall. Total N concentrations in these plants were determined. Relationships between concentrations of N in young plants and fertilizer N applied were not consistent across the 14 site‐years. The concentrations of N in young plants were poor predictors of soil NO 3 concentrations in situations where good relationships between soil NO 3 concentrations and grain yields occurred. The tissue test could not detect excessive amounts of NO 3 in soils. Concentrations of N in young plants were greatly influenced by factors having relatively little effect on final yields. Overall, the results show that a tissue test based on the concentrations of N in young plants would not be a reliable indicator of the N availability in cornfields.