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Optimal Spacing of Surface‐Banded Nitrogen on Fescue
Author(s) -
Vigil M. F.,
Kissel D. E.,
Cabrera M. L.,
Raczkowski C. W.
Publication year - 1993
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/sssaj1993.03615995005700060037x
Subject(s) - festuca arundinacea , fertilizer , yield (engineering) , mathematics , dry matter , factorial experiment , nitrogen , agronomy , poaceae , chemistry , statistics , biology , physics , organic chemistry , thermodynamics
A recommended N application method for approximately 0.2 million ha of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) grown in Kansas is topdress banding in early spring. Optimal spacing of N fertilizer bands increases N use efficiency, thereby reducing expenditures for fertilizer and the potential for environmental contamination. The objective of this study was to develop and test a model to determine optimal spacing of surface‐banded N from tall fescue dry matter measured on plots fertilized with single bands. A major assumption in the development of the model was: the yield at any point between two fertilizer bands is the sum of yield responses from adjacent bands. In 1985 tall fescue yields measured at various distances from single bands of N fertilizer (applied at rates of 30, 60, 90, and 180 kg ha −1 ) were used to develop the model. The yields on another set of plots fertilized in a complete factorial arrangement at rates of 60 or 180 kg N ha −1 , with band spacings of 25 and 50 cm, were used to test the model in 1984 and 1985. Measured and model‐predicted yields indicated that optimal band spacing was near 25 cm. The model predicted a decrease in optimal band spacing with increasing N rates. The fitted regression of measured yield on predicted yield had a slope and an intercept not significantly different from one and zero, respectively, indicating a good fit between measured and modeled yields. This research provides a practical tool to predict fertilizer band spacings that maximize fescue yields at N rates between 30 and 180 kg N ha −1 .