Could the Use of Nitrification Inhibitor Optimize the Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Corn Production?

Authors

Pedro Morinigo, Kansas State University
Dorivar A. Ruiz Diaz, Kansas State UniversityFollow

Keywords

Nitrification, nitrogen, corn

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for corn production, higher grain yields are depen­dent on N fertilizer application. Substances like the nitrification inhibitors (NI) were created to increase yields, promote nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and reduce N losses. The study was carried out in ten site-years in Kansas from 2017 to 2021, with the objec­tive of evaluating the nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE) in corn with and without the use of NI and comparing corn grain yield, grain N uptake, and soil mineral nitrogen content with the use of the NI. Nitrogen fertilizer at the rates of 100, 150, and 200 lb of N/a using anhydrous ammonia (AA) as source was applied to the soil with and without the combination of NI (nitrapyrin) in the spring, also a treatment with 0 lb of N/a without NI was used as control. Soil ammonium average content in V8 growth stage was higher with the use of the NI at the rate of 150 lb of N/a, AONR and EONR values were lower with the use of NI. Higher N grain uptake and NAE were obtained when 150 lb of N/a was applied with NI combination.

Recommended Citation

Morinigo, Pedro and Ruiz Diaz, Dorivar A. (2023) "Could the Use of Nitrification Inhibitor Optimize the Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Corn Production?," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 9: Iss. 8. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8546