Corn yield response to multiple nitrogen fertilizer application rates at V9 stage in southeast Michigan

Ricardo Costa, Michigan State University Extension - December 28, 2018

No significant yield difference was observed across all late-season nitrogen rates. The greatest return to nitrogen and lowest nitrogen use efficiency was obtained with a single nitrogen application of 70 pounds applied pre-plant with anhydrous ammonia.

Tractor in corn field — All photos by Ricardo Costa, MSU Extension

When it comes to corn production, nitrogen (N) is the most commonly applied nutrient and one of the most expensive inputs, averaging from 13 to 18 percent of the variable costs depending on the type of crop rotation. On the other hand, the nitrogen cost-to-benefit ratio usually exceeds that of other fertilizer inputs. Growers must use nitrogen efficiently to maximize its value and minimize nitrogen losses by applying the nutrient at the appropriate rate and timing to coincide with peak uptake by the crop. They must also ensure crop yield is not limited by insufficient nitrogen throughout the entire period of crop uptake.

To understand how much nitrogen should be applied in order to get the highest yield and return without overapplying, Michigan State University Extension in partnership with the Center for Excellence in Lenawee County and Ohio State University set up an experiment at the Raymond and Stutzman Farms. In a 100-acre field with similar soil type and fertility levels, 70 pounds of actual nitrogen was applied pre-plant with anhydrous ammonia. At the corn V9 stage, 28 percent UAN was applied with Y-drops at the rates shown in Table 1.

Corn field Data analysis showed there were no significant yield differences across all late-season nitrogen rates. The 70 pounds nitrogen applied pre-plant had the greatest return to nitrogen and lowest nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) (Table 1). One thing to remember is that a combination of weather and soil properties can significantly influence corn response to late season nitrogen application. Depending on your soil levels of nitrogen and weather patterns, that might not be your case. For 2018 specifically, we didn't see any benefits of applying nitrogen later in the season, but I also have to state that the growing season from the V-9 stage on was really favorable for the crop growth with plenty of moisture and most likely the crop was getting its nitrogen from mineralization of organic matter, previous year crop or past applications of manure. Depending on your soil levels of nitrogen and weather patterns, that might not be your case.

Late nitrogen application can be advantageous in situations where the majority of the nitrogen is applied in the fall or early in the spring or in areas with sandy soils, because of the greater chances for soil nitrogen losses. Before choosing between pre-plant or a late-season nitrogen application, make sure you know how much nitrogen you need to apply. You have a number of tools that can help you with that such as Pre-Sidedress Nitrate Test (PSNT) or soil testing for nitrogen recommendations.

Table 1. Yields (bu/ac) are not significantly different according to Fisher’s Protected Least Significant Differences (LSD) test with a 90% confidence level.
Treatments	Rate (total N/ac)	Yield (bu/ac)	NUE (lbs N/bu)
70 lbs N pre-plant	70	222	0.32
70 lbs pre-plant + 10 gal/ac at V9	99	224	0.44
70 lbs pre-plant + 25 gal/ac at V9	145	225	0.64
70 lbs pre-plant + 40 gal/ac at V9	192	229	0.84
70 lbs pre-plant + 60 gal/ac at V9	242	228	1.06
70 lbs pre-plant + 22 gal/ac at V9 Optrx	136	226	0.60

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).