Micronutrient fertilization for corn and soybean

Improvements in crop genetics and increased yield potential with a more intensive production system typically involve a greater demand for commercial fertilizers to secure maximum yields. This raises the question about the role of secondary and micronutrient fertilizers to increase yields. Some soil conditions such as high soil pH and low organic matter may also contribute to decrease the supply of micronutrients to crops. Consequently, there is an increasing interest from producers about the potential benefits of micronutrients as complement of their fertilization programs to maximize yields in corn and soybean

Managing poultry manure nitrogen for optimum corn yields and minimum environmental loss

Appropriate poultry manure management is essential to ensure maximum crop nitrogen (N) utilization and reduce risk of negative environmental impact. Poultry manure sources can provide a significant supply of nutrients for corn (Zea mays L.) production. While the main focus is usually on N and phosphorus (P), poultry manure is also an excellent source of other nutrients like potassium (K) as well as secondary and micronutrients where needed (Brock et al., 2006). Field application is typically based on P due to high concentration relative to N in the manure, and application may be limited to avoid over application of P. However, concerns exist about possible N application at rates higher than needed for corn with potential for contamination of water bodies due to leaching or runoff of excess N

Assessing the Impact of the 4R Nutrient Management on Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Corn

Determining the best management practices for nitrogen (N) fertilizer application to corn is crucial to achieving the objectives of the 4R of nutrient stewardship. Although producers have a wide range of options regarding N fertilization, identifying the right rate, source, placement, and timing (4R) can significantly impact productivity and nitrogen use efficiency. Our objectives were to evaluate the nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE), and the corn grain yields as affected by different rates, sources, placements, and timing methods of N fertilizer application under rainfed and irri­gated conditions in Kansas. Two rainfed locations in Riley and Republic counties and two irrigated locations in Republic and Shawnee counties were established in 2021. Increasing rates from 0 to 180 lb N/a in 30-lb increments for rainfed locations and 0, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240 lb N/a for irrigated locations were applied at planting, as broadcast urea. Additionally, five different N management treatments were applied at the same rate of 90 and 120 lb N/a for rainfed and irrigated locations, respectively. The nitrogen application significantly impacted the grain yield for both irrigated and rainfed locations. Applying N fertilizer as UAN coulter-injected at planting and SUPERU (Koch Agronomic Services, LLC) at side-dress V6 growth stage increased grain yield and AE across locations when compared to the baseline of urea broadcast at planting

Could the Use of Nitrification Inhibitor Optimize the Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Corn Production?

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for corn production, higher grain yields are depen­dent on N fertilizer application. Substances like the nitrification inhibitors (NI) were created to increase yields, promote nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and reduce N losses. The study was carried out in ten site-years in Kansas from 2017 to 2021, with the objec­tive of evaluating the nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE) in corn with and without the use of NI and comparing corn grain yield, grain N uptake, and soil mineral nitrogen content with the use of the NI. Nitrogen fertilizer at the rates of 100, 150, and 200 lb of N/a using anhydrous ammonia (AA) as source was applied to the soil with and without the combination of NI (nitrapyrin) in the spring, also a treatment with 0 lb of N/a without NI was used as control. Soil ammonium average content in V8 growth stage was higher with the use of the NI at the rate of 150 lb of N/a, AONR and EONR values were lower with the use of NI. Higher N grain uptake and NAE were obtained when 150 lb of N/a was applied with NI combination

Tillage and Nitrogen Placement Effects on Yields in a Short-Season Corn/Wheat/Double-Crop Soybean Rotation

Many crop rotation systems are used in southeastern Kansas. This experiment was designed to determine the long-term effect of selected tillage and N fertilizer placement options on yields of short-season corn, wheat, and double-crop soybean in a rotation

Dredged Sediment: Application as an Agricultural Amendment on Sandy Soils

Periodic dredging of lakes and waterways generates large amounts of material, often stored indefinitely in extensive sediment basins. A proposed dredging project in the Peoria Lake portion of the Illinois River will generate an abundant amount of sediments. This study proposed using sediments dredged from the Illinois River to enhance sandy soils as sediments often have high nutrient levels and physical properties that are desirable for agricultural production. Dredged sediments may greatly improve extensive areas along the Illinois River that have sandy soils with poor physical properties. We built research plots using Peoria Lake sediment at 0, 7, 15, and 30 cm thicknesses applied to the surface of Plainfield sand. Corn and soybean plants were grown on the plots for four years. An analysis of chemical and physical properties of soil treatments revealed a significant improvement in water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, and the nutrient content of the soil. Animal damage to plants in the experiment, including the excavation and consumption of seeds after planting and grain before harvest, complicated the interpretation of treatment effects. However, a significant plant response was observed when the sediments were applied. In corn, higher vegetative growth and grain yields were observed in plots treated with surface-applied sediment. With soybeans, vegetative growth was greater on sediment plots than on corn plots; however, treatment effects were not as dramatic as with corn, and the highest soybean yields were observed in the 15 cm sediment plots. Concentrations of metals in soils and plant tissues were within levels considered to be normal. However, molybdenum (Mo) levels in soybean grain were found above levels considered to be safe for livestock fodder if the copper (Cu) content was low in ruminants’ diets. High Mo levels are a common problem in certain US soils, easily solved by providing feed supplements to ruminants. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in soybeans were below the detection level (17 μg kg-1) for four of six samples from the sediment plots. The other two had levels of 21 and 22 μg kg-1. We concluded that Peoria Lake sediments hold promise as a topsoil additive when applied to sandy soils.Illinois Hazardous Waste Research Fund ; HWR02-176Ope

Corn Response as Affected by Planting Distance from the Center of Strip-Till Fertilized Rows

Citation: Adee, E., Hansel, F. D., Diaz, D. A. R., & Janssen, K. (2016). Corn Response as Affected by Planting Distance from the Center of Strip-Till Fertilized Rows. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 9. doi:10.3389/fpfs.2016.01232Strip-till has been used at a large scale in east central Kansas as an alternative to earlier planting dates under a no-till system. To determine the effects of planting corn (Zea mays) under previously established strip-tilled fertilized rows, experiments were conducted on an Osage silty clay loam soil in 2006 and 2008 and on a Woodson silt loam soil in 2009, 2010, and 2011 using three different planting distances from the strip-tilled fertilized rows (0, 10, 20, and 38 cm) with a strip-till operation performed between 1 and 73 days before planting. The depth of the strip-till fertilizer application was 13-15 cm below the soil surface. Corn that was planted 10 cm from the fertilized row showed greater early season growth, higher plant population, and grain yield. Planting 20 and 38 cm from the center of the fertilized rows showed none of the benefits that are typically associated with strip-tillage system. Enough time should be allowed between the strip-till operation and planting to reach satisfactory soil conditions (e.g., moist and firm seedbed). Our results suggest that the best location for planting strip-tilled fertilized corn vary depending on soil and climatic conditions as well as the time between fertilizer application with the strip-till operation and planting. With fewer number of days, planting directly on the center of fertilized strip-till resulted in decreased plant population and lower grain yield. However, the greatest yield benefit across different planting conditions was attained when planting within 10 cm of the strip

Study of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Transformations from Poultry Manure and Fertilizer Using Soil Incubation and Soil Testing: A Complement to Ongoing Field Demonstrations

The general goal of this study was to improve our knowledge of the reactions and chemical transformations of poultry manure nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in soils in order to better utilize the nutrient value of this important resource for crop production. All the laboratory work has been completed, but data management continues at this time to complete statistical analysis and summarize and publish the results. Therefore, this report summarizes work done and the results available at this time. Strongly supported conclusions are not possible at this time because several statistical and data analyses have not been completed

Evaluating the Impact of Long-Term Phosphorus Placement on Corn and Soybean Rotation under Minimum Tillage System

Phosphorus (P) management is typically done with a focus on the long term, given its impact on soil fertility. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term P placement on corn and soybean yields under a minimum tillage system in Kansas. Long-term research trials were established in Scandia (irrigated field) and Ottawa (rainfed) in 2006. Fertilizer treatments were applied annually to corn, including broadcast, deep-band, and starter/deep-band at 40 lb/a of P2O5, with a control having no phosphorus fertilizer. Corn and soybean responded significantly to P fertilizer at both locations (compared to the control). In the higher-yielding Scandia location, split starter/deep-band application showed a statistically significantly higher yield than broadcast or deep-band. Yield response at the Ottawa location was similar for all the P fertilizer placements