Nitrate, Nitrous Oxide, and Ammonia Loss Mitigation with Optimum Rate of Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizer and Application Timing in Corn
摘要
Nitrogen (N) loss reduces production and soil health. The objectives of this 3-yr continuous corn (Zea mays L.) US Midwest study were to evaluate traditional and advanced N management on corn N content, grain yield and economic returns; soil N content; and N losses [nitrate (NO3−), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ammonia (NH3)]. Treatments were single pre-plant applications of 202 kg N ha−1 urea (U) or polymer coated urea ESN (E), and split with 67 kg N ha−1 pre-plant applications of either urea (U/U+) or ESN (E/U+) and 135 kg N ha−1 as urea + NBPT [N-(n-Butyl) thiophosphoric triamide] at V6. Split and E produced similar grain yield (11.1 Mg ha−1 mean) and total N uptake (TNU) (157 kg N ha−1 mean) and were greater than treatment U (10.1 Mg ha−1 and 134 kg N ha−1). Net economic returns decreased: E/U+>U/U+>E>U, and splits and U had similar N loss. Yearly mean sum of N2O, NH3, and NO3− was 47–49% lower with E versus U, U/U+, and E/U+ (14.4 vs. 28.5, 27.1, and 27.5 kg ha−1, respectively). Consistent lower N losses for E and better grain yield than U or similar to split treatments indicate that E may be a valuable tool.