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Corn Production as Affected by Daily Fertilization with Ammonium, Nitrate, and Phosphorus
Author(s) -
Yibirin H.,
Johnson J. W.,
Eckert D.
Publication year - 1996
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/sssaj1996.03615995006000020025x
Subject(s) - human fertilization , chemistry , nitrogen , phosphorus , ammonium , agronomy , yield (engineering) , leaching (pedology) , nitrification , dry matter , urea , nitrate , zoology , nutrient , fertilizer , soil water , biology , ecology , materials science , organic chemistry , metallurgy
Manipulation of N fertilization to control NH + 4 /NO ‐ 3 ratios in the soil can affect corn ( Zea mays L.) growth and yield. Field study of these effects, however, has been difficult to conduct because nitrification of NH + 4 and/or NO ‐ 3 leaching often occurs during the growing season. The objectives of this 4‐yr field experiment were to investigate the effects of daily fertilization with various N sources and P on corn growth and yield. Pioneer 3343 was fertilized with solutions of urea (U), NH 4 Cl, Ca(NO 3 ) 2 (CN), or U + CN (1:1 N ratio) with and without a solution of H 3 PO 4 . Solutions were applied to the root zone with a porous pipe subirrigation system. Nitrogen sources caused changes in KCl‐extractable soil NH + 4 and NO ‐ 3 . Dry matter accumulation was not affected by N source at any stage of corn development. The effects of N source on N uptake, P uptake, and root growth varied by year, showing no consistent superiority of any of the N sources used. Corn yield was larger when NO ‐ 3 was included as an N source (CN or U + CN) than when only U was used in 1991. In the next two years, yield was not affected by N source; in the last year, NH + 4 (U or NH 4 Cl) increased yield compared with CN. There was little correlation between yield and root growth, N uptake, or P uptake. Overall, no clear difference for maximizing corn growth and yield was observed between NH + 4 , NO ‐ 3 , or the mixture NH + 4 + NO ‐ 3 .