Use of soil nitrogen parameters and texture for spatially-variable nitrogen fertilization

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential importance of using soil texture to modify fertilizer N recommendations. The objective of this study was to determine (i) if surface clay content can be used as an auxiliary variable for estimating spatial variability of soil NO3–N, and (ii) if this information is useful for variable rate N fertilization of non-irrigated corn [Zea mays (L.)] in south central Texas, USA across years. A 64 ha corn field with variable soil type and N fertility level was used for this study during 2004–2007. Plant and surface and sub-surface soil samples were collected at different grid points and analyzed for yield, soil N parameters and texture. A uniform rate (UR) of 120 kg N ha−1 in 2004 and variable rates (VAR) of 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N ha−1 in 2005 through 2007 were applied to different sites in the field. Distinct yield variation was observed over this time period. Yield and soil surface clay content and soil N parameters were strongly spatially structured. Corn grain yield was positively related to residual NO3–N with depth and either negatively or positively related to clay content depending on precipitation. Residual NO3–N to 0.60 and 0.90 m depths was more related to corn yield than from shallower depths. The relationship of clay content with soil NO3–N was weak and not temporally stable. Yield response to N rate also varied temporally. Supply of available N with depth, soil texture and growing season precipitation determined proper N management for this field.

[1]  M. A. Oliver,et al.  A Geostatistical Analysis of the Spatial Variation of Soil Mineral Nitrogen and Potentially Available Nitrogen Within an Arable Field , 2003, Precision Agriculture.

[2]  J. Schepers,et al.  Spatial and Temporal Variability of Soil Nitrate and Corn Yield: Multifractal Analysis , 2003 .

[3]  D. W. Nelson,et al.  Total Carbon, Organic Carbon, and Organic Matter 1 , 1982 .

[4]  D. Westfall,et al.  Temporal and Spatial Stability of Soil Test Parameters Used in Precision Agriculture , 2006 .

[5]  Sofia Delin,et al.  Relations Between Net Nitrogen Mineralization and Soil Characteristics Within an Arable Field , 2002 .

[6]  Robert J. Lascano,et al.  Spatial and Temporal Variation of Soil Nitrogen Parameters Related to Soil Texture and Corn Yield , 2005 .

[7]  A. Franzluebbers,et al.  Long-Term Changes in Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Pools in Wheat Management Systems , 1994 .

[8]  David G. Hopkins,et al.  Variable Fertilizer Application Based on Yield Goal, Soil Fertility, and Soil Map Unit , 1993 .

[9]  P. Gerard,et al.  Variability of Selected Soil Properties and Their Relationships with Soybean Yield , 2003 .

[10]  J. Hanway,et al.  How a corn plant develops [Iowa] , 1982 .

[11]  D. Mulla,et al.  Spatial and temporal variation in economically optimum nitrogen rate for corn , 2003 .

[12]  David W. Franzen,et al.  Comparison of Nitrogen Management Zone Delineation Methods for Corn Grain Yield , 2007 .

[13]  Shufeng Han,et al.  Evaluating Cokriging for Improving Soil Nutrient Sampling Efficiency , 2003 .

[14]  A. P. Schwab,et al.  Spatial Variability of Nitrogen Mineralization at the Field Scale , 1997 .

[15]  D. W. Nelson,et al.  Total Nitrogen Analysis of Soil and Plant Tissues , 1980 .

[16]  O. Heinemeyer,et al.  Spatial heterogeneity within the plough layer : high variability of N2O emission rates , 1999 .

[17]  Eduardo Segarra,et al.  Spatial and Temporal Variability of Corn Growth and Grain Yield , 2002 .

[18]  Daniel Inman,et al.  Nitrogen uptake across site specific management zones in irrigated corn production systems , 2005 .

[19]  J. Sawyer.  Concepts of Variable Rate Technology with Considerations for Fertilizer Application , 1994 .

[20]  D. F. Heermann,et al.  Frequency Analysis of Yield for Delineating Yield Response Zones , 2004, Precision Agriculture.

[21]  David W. Franzen,et al.  Evaluation of Soil Survey Scale for Zone Development of Site-Specific Nitrogen Management , 2002 .

[22]  J. Paz,et al.  Evaluating Management Zone Optimal Nitrogen Rates with a Crop Growth Model , 2006 .

[23]  G. Robertson,et al.  Management, topographical, and weather effects on spatial variability of crop grain yields , 2005 .

[24]  Randal K. Taylor,et al.  Corn Yield Response to Nitrogen at Multiple In-Field Locations , 2002 .

[25]  D. G. Westfall,et al.  Use of site-specific management zones to improve nitrogen management for precision agriculture , 2002 .

[26]  W. M. Frasier,et al.  Economic Feasibility of Variable‐Rate Nitrogen Application Utilizing Site‐Specific Management Zones , 2004 .

[27]  Kenneth A. Sudduth,et al.  Spatially variable corn yield is a weak predictor of optimal nitrogen rate , 2006 .

[28]  David A. Mortensen,et al.  SITE-SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT Site-Specific Management Zones Based on Soil Electrical Conductivity in a Semiarid Cropping System , 2003 .

[29]  T. Mahmood,et al.  SEASONAL CHANGES IN SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS NITROGEN UNDER AN IRRIGATED WHEAT-MAIZE CROPPING SYSTEM , 2007 .

[30]  Achim Dobermann,et al.  Geostatistical Integration of Yield Monitor Data and Remote Sensing Improves Yield Maps , 2004 .

[31]  David W. Franzen,et al.  Evaluation of Soil Survey Scale for Zone Development of Site-Specific Nitrogen Management , 2002 .

[32]  F. J. Pierce,et al.  ASPECTS OF PRECISION AGRICULTURE , 1999 .

[33]  A. Franzluebbers,et al.  Seasonal changes in soil microbial biomass and mineralizable c and n in wheat management systems , 1994 .

[34]  Harold M. van Es,et al.  Spatial Growth and Nitrogen Uptake Variability of Corn at Two Nitrogen Levels , 2003 .

[35]  A. Konopka,et al.  FIELD-SCALE VARIABILITY OF SOIL PROPERTIES IN CENTRAL IOWA SOILS , 1994 .

[36]  James S. Schepers,et al.  Appropriateness of Management Zones for Characterizing Spatial Variability of Soil Properties and Irrigated Corn Yields across Years , 2004, Agronomy Journal.

[37]  Larry T. West,et al.  Field Scale Mapping of Surface Soil Clay Concentration , 2004, Precision Agriculture.

[38]  A. Kravchenko,et al.  Correlation of Corn and Soybean Grain Yield with Topography and Soil Properties , 2000 .