Sensor-Based Nitrogen Applications Out-Performed Producer-Chosen Rates for Corn in On-Farm Demonstrations

Optimal N fertilizer rate for corn (Zea mays L.) and other crops can vary substantially within and among fields. Current N management practices do not address this variability. Crop reflectance sensors offer the potential to diagnose crop N need and control N application rates at a fine spatial scale. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of sensor-based variable-rate N applications to corn, relative to constant N rates chosen by the producer. Fifty-five replicated on-farm demonstrations were conducted from 2004 to 2008. Sensors were installed on the producer's N application equipment and used to direct variable-rate sidedress N applications to corn at growth stages ranging from V6 to V16. A fixed N rate chosen by the cooperating producer was also applied. Relative to the producer's N rate, sensors increased partial profit by $42 ha−1 (P = 0.0007) and yield by 110 kg ha−1 (P = 0.18) while reducing N use by 16 kg N ha−1 (P = 0.015). This represents a reduction of approximately 25% in the amount of N applied beyond what was removed in the grain, thus reducing unused N that can move to water or air. Our results confirm that sensors can choose N rates for corn that perform better than rates chosen by producers.