Friday, September 12, 2008

K-State Ag Today: Investment in nitrogen key to maintaining corn profits

By Jeff Wichman

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K-State Ag Today:

Investment in nitrogen key to maintaining corn profits

For the past 18 years, K-State Research and Extension soil microbiologist Chuck Rice has been monitoring specific plots at the university's North Agronomy Farm. At this year's Agronomy Field Day, Rice explained how additional nitrogen can increase corn yields in a no-till system.

"What we have here is 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year added to no-till corn over the 18 years, and we've averaged around 90 bushels of corn per year. And then next to these plots are 75 pounds of nitrogen per year, and they were averaging about 70-bushel corn," Rice said. "And that's important to add that amount of nitrogen because, you get that additional corn grain, and with prices -- even though nitrogen prices are high -- the corn prices are high, and that's important for maintaining profitability."

Related links:

Extension Agronomy: Corn Web site

Corn Production Handbook

Corn Production Handbook (.pdf)

Rice says no-till planting offers other benefits, too.

"In addition we've measured some of the soil properties, and we get better soil carbon sequestration, better soil fertility when we apply appropriate amounts of nitrogen for this system," he said.

You can find more information at your local extension office or by checking out the links above.

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