Nitrogen Losses from Corn Receiving Conventional and Precision-Applied Fertilizer Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • Precision application of agricultural chemicals is a promising best management practice for abating nonpoint source pollution from cultivated lands. In precision application of fertilizers, the field is divided into relatively small management units, each having similar soils, fertility rates, and anticipated crop yield. Fertilizer is then applied at a rate complementary to the anticipated yield potential of the crop. The goal of this project was to evaluate the water quality benefits of precision application of nitrogen to corn. This study was conducted in Bell County, Texas, on two adjacent fields. One field was fertilized using conventional, single-rate application. The other field was divided into management units designated poor, moderate, and high based on anticipated yield potential. Fertilizer was applied to this second field at rates of 107, 131, and 155 kg/ha for poor, moderate, and high expected yield, respectively. To monitor surface runoff, H-flumes equipped with automatic samplers and stage recorders were established within vegetated waterways draining each field. Collected samples were filtered and the liquid and solid fractions analyzed for nitrogen and phosphorus constituents. Preliminary analysis of collected data indicated that losses of nitrogen from the precision-managed field were frequently lower than those from the conventional field for individual events. However, total nitrogen losses and average event mean concentrations for all eight monitored storms during the study year were similar.

published proceedings

  • 2000 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Technical Papers: Engineering Solutions for a New Century

author list (cited authors)

  • Kenimer, A. L., Harmel, R. D., Torbert, H. A., Akbar, M. A., & Searcy, S. W.

complete list of authors

  • Kenimer, AL||Harmel, RD||Torbert, HA||Akbar, MA||Searcy, SW

publication date

  • December 2000