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Effect of Residual Profile Nitrate on Corn Response to Applied Nitrogen
Author(s) -
Bundy L. G.,
Malone E. S.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200050032x
Subject(s) - loam , nitrogen , agronomy , crop , zoology , soil water , fertilizer , precipitation , silt , soil horizon , chemistry , zea mays , environmental science , soil science , biology , geography , organic chemistry , paleontology , meteorology
Residual profile NO 3 significantly affects crop N fertilizer requirements in semiarid regions, but little information is available on the influence of profile NO 3 on crop response to applied N in humid climates. Experiments were conducted on three well‐drained silt loam soils to investigate profile NO 3 accumulation and retention and to determine the effect of profile NO 3 ‐N on corn ( Zea mays L.) response to applied N under humid climatic conditions. In 1983, spring preplant N (0, 134, 268, or 402 kg N ha −1 ) was applied to corn at each location. Fall 1983 profile NO 3 ‐N to 90 or 120 cm was linearly related to 1983 N rate and ranged from 52 to 644 kg N ha −1 . Overwinter retention of fall profile NO 3 ‐N varied from 45 to 66% among locations in a year with above normal fall to spring precipitation. Original plots at all locations were split in 1984, and preplant N rates of 0, 78, 156 or 234 kg N ha −1 were superimposed on each 1983 N treatment. Corn yields in the absence of applied N and yield response to added N were significantly affected by spring profile NO 3 ‐N content. With no applied N, profile NO 3 ‐N to 90 cm accounted for 84% of the variation in yield at the most responsive site. Grain yields were maximized (8.5 to 9.5 Mg ha −1 ) in the absence of applied N where profile NO 3 ‐N to 90 cm was >150 kg N ha −1 . Similarly, yields were not increased by applied N where profile NO 3 ‐N exceeded 150 kg N ha −1 . These results indicate that profile NO 3 ‐N significantly affects corn response to applied N on some Wisconsin soils. Adjustment of N recommendations for profile NO 3 ‐N should allow more accurate prediction of corn N fertilizer requirements on these soils when substantial overwinter carryover of profile NO 3 ‐N occurs.