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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #323563
Title: Residue harvest effects on corn response to applied N and yield

Author
item WORTMANN, CHARLES - University Of Nebraska
item SHAPIRO, CHARLES - University Of Nebraska
item Schmer, Marty

Submitted to: North Central Extension Industry Soil Fertility Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2015
Publication Date: 11/4/2015
Citation: Wortmann, C.S., Shapiro, C.A., Schmer, M.R. 2015. Residue harvest effects on corn response to applied N and yield. North Central Extension Industry Soil Fertility Conference Proceedings. 31:90-93.

Interpretive Summary: Corn (Zea mays L.) residue harvest is common in Nebraska, primarily for feeding of beef cattle. Applied N immobilization is expected to be less with residue harvest due to reduced microbial activity for digestion of high CN organic material. Residue reduction may affect subsequent crop yield and response to applied N. Field research was conducted at three locations over two years in eastern Nebraska for irrigated, no-till corn following corn to determine residue harvest effects on yield and the economically optimal N rate (EONR). Study sites had deep silt loam or silty clay loam soil with good water infiltration and plant-available soil water holding capacity. Above ground biomass N content, applied N recovery efficiency, and grain yield were 22, 43, and 20% higher with >75% residue removal compared with no residue removal. The residue removal effect on EONR was not consistent over site-years, and the mean reduction in EONR with residue removal was 18 kg ha-1.While removal of some corn residue is expected to result in higher yield of the following corn crop, N application rate should not be much changed.

Technical Abstract: Corn (Zea mays L.) residue harvest is common in Nebraska, primarily for feeding of beef cattle. Applied N immobilization is expected to be less with residue harvest due to reduced microbial activity for digestion of high CN organic material. Residue reduction may affect subsequent crop yield and response to applied N. Field research was conducted at three locations over two years in eastern Nebraska for irrigated, no-till corn following corn to determine residue harvest effects on yield and the economically optimal N rate (EONR). Study sites had deep silt loam or silty clay loam soil with good water infiltration and plant-available soil water holding capacity. Above ground biomass N content, applied N recovery efficiency, and grain yield were 22, 43, and 20% higher with >75% residue removal compared with no residue removal. The residue removal effect on EONR was not consistent over site-years, and the mean reduction in EONR with residue removal was 18 kg ha-1.While removal of some corn residue is expected to result in higher yield of the following corn crop, N application rate should not be much changed.