HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (8) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Halvorson, A. D. Articles by Reule, C. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Halvorson, A. D. Articles by Reule, C. A. Agricola Articles by Halvorson, A. D. Articles by Reule, C. A. Related Collections Vegetable Crops Nitrogen Maize Nutrient Cycling Nutrient Management Irrigation

Production Papers

Corn Response to Nitrogen Fertilization in a Soil with High Residual Nitrogen

^a USDA-ARS, 2150 Centre Ave, Bldg. D, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80526
^b Colorado State Univ., Arkansas Valley Res. Cent., 27901 Rd. 21, Rocky Ford, CO 81067

^* Corresponding author (ardell.halvorson{at}ars.usda.gov)

Received for publication November 16, 2004. High levels of residual NO₃–N are present in the soils of the Arkansas River Valley in Colorado where alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), grains, fruits, and vegetable crops are produced. This study evaluated the use of continuous corn (Zea mays L.) to reduce residual N levels in a furrow-irrigated, silty clay soil. Fertilizer N needed to maintain optimum corn yields following watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai], and its impacts on NO₃–N leaching potential were also evaluated. Treatments evaluated from 2000 through 2003 included two N sources (urea and Polyon) and six fertilizer N rates. Corn grain yields were not significantly increased by N fertilization the first year following watermelon but increased with increasing residual soil NO₃–N levels the second year without additional N fertilization and increased by N fertilization in the third and fourth years. Nitrogen source did not significantly affect corn grain yields, residual soil NO₃–N, or N fertilizer use efficiency (NFUE). Nitrogen use efficiency generally decreased with increasing level of available N. Average NFUE based on grain N removal over 4 yr was 55% at the lowest fertilizer N rate and 30% at the highest N rate. Excluding the first corn crop, grain yields and gross economic returns less N costs were maximized with about 265 and 258 kg ha^–1 of available N (soil plus fertilizer N), respectively. Soil residual NO₃–N levels declined following the second, third, and fourth corn crops. Reducing N application rates (based on credits for residual soil NO₃–N and previous crop) to the first corn crop produced in rotation with fruit or vegetable crops in the Arkansas River Valley will improve profitability and reduce root zone residual soil NO₃–N levels and NO₃–N leaching potential. Continuous corn production for 2 to 3 yr with conservative N fertilization rates can reduce residual soil NO₃–N levels in the Arkansas River Valley.

Abbreviations: AVRC, Arkansas Valley Research Center • CRN, controlled-release nitrogen • NFUE, nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency • NUE, nitrogen use efficiency • SOM, soil organic matter

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Z. Cui, X. Chen, Y. Miao, F. Li, F. Zhang, J. Li, Y. Ye, Z. Yang, Q. Zhang, and C. Liu On-Farm Evaluation of Winter Wheat Yield Response to Residual Soil Nitrate-N in North China Plain Agron. J., October 21, 2008; 100(6): 1527 - 1534. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Sainz Rozas, P. A. Calvino, H. E. Echeverria, P. A. Barbieri, and M. Redolatti Contribution of Anaerobically Mineralized Nitrogen to the Reliability of Planting or Presidedress Soil Nitrogen Test in Maize Agron. J., June 16, 2008; 100(4): 1020 - 1025. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. D. Halvorson, M. E. Bartolo, C. A. Reule, and A. Berrada Nitrogen Effects on Onion Yield Under Drip and Furrow Irrigation Agron. J., June 16, 2008; 100(4): 1062 - 1069. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. D. Halvorson and C. A. Reule Irrigated, No-Till Corn and Barley Response to Nitrogen in Northern Colorado Agron. J., October 15, 2007; 99(6): 1521 - 1529. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Ziadi, G. Belanger, A. N. Cambouris, N. Tremblay, M. C. Nolin, and A. Claessens Relationship between P and N Concentrations in Corn Agron. J., May 11, 2007; 99(3): 833 - 841. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. D. Halvorson and C. A. Reule Irrigated Corn and Soybean Response to Nitrogen under No-Till in Northern Colorado Agron. J., September 5, 2006; 98(5): 1367 - 1374. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. D. Halvorson, A. R. Mosier, C. A. Reule, and W. C. Bausch Nitrogen and Tillage Effects on Irrigated Continuous Corn Yields Agron. J., January 3, 2006; 98(1): 63 - 71. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]