Project title:                Effect of nitrogen timing on irrigated corn grown on sandy ground

 

 

Principal investigators:          Charles Shapiro, Bill Kranz, Robert Atkeson

 

 

Duration:                    1999-2002

 

Funding:                      Upper Elkhorn NRD

 

Contact:

 

Charles Shapiro           Northeast Research and Extension Center, Haskell Agricultural Laboratory, UNL, 57905 866 Road, Concord, NE 68728-2828, (402) 584-2803, cshapiro1@unl.edu

 

Project description:   

 

University of Nebraska nitrogen recommendation was developed on mostly silt loam and silty clay loams.  Since the initial research significant acreage of irrigated sandy loams have been developed in the north central region of Nebraska. Over the last 20 years some areas have developed ground water nitrate levels greater than the maximum contaminate level of 10 ppm.  Due to the susceptibility to leaching and the dependence on irrigation, specific nitrogen management strategies need to be developed for this fragile land.

 

Using the University of Nebraska recommendation procedure as a base, four nitrogen timing strategies are being tested on both small plots (10 ft x 40 ft) and large plots (about 15 acres).  The four strategies are:

 

1.         N applied as required by crop indicators (chlorophyll meter)

2.         N applied in several small doses up to tassel

3.         Early season heavy, 2/3 of the N before V3

4.         Mid season heavy, 2/3 of the N after V3

 

In addition, an N rate response curve will be established up to 300 lbs N/acre. All the four treatments are applied at the same total N.

 

 

Key results:                To be added later

 

 

Publications:               To be added later