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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #151698
Title: SOYBEAN YIELD AND QUALITY RESPONSE TO STARTER NITROGEN FERTILIZER IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS

Author
item Osborne, Shannon
item Riedell, Walter

Submitted to: Agronomy Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/4/2003
Publication Date: 10/28/2003
Citation: Osborne, S.L., Riedell, W.E. 2003. Soybean yield and quality response to starter nitrogen fertilizer in the northern great plains. In Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. 3 November 2004, Denver, CO.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The effect of nitrogen (N) fertilization on soybeans grown in the cool moist soil conditions of the northern Great Plains has been overlooked. The objective was to evaluate the effect of starter N fertilization on soybean yield and quality under different soil tillage. A field experiment was established within a two-year corn/soybean rotation, using a split-plot design with four replications. Whole plots were tillage with starter fertilizer as the split plot. Tillage treatments included conventional (CT) and no-tillage (NT). Starter fertilizer was applied as ammonium nitrate (AN) or urea (UR) each at rates of 0, 7.8, 15.7, and 23.5 kg/ha. Grain yields were higher for 2000 compared to 2001 and 2002 due to rainfall timing and amounts. A yield reduction in 2000 and 2002 was noted for the 7.8 kg/ha AN rate compared to no N rate. Maximum yield among all treatments and years occurred at the 15.7 kg/ha AN, NT treatment. Soybean quality was similar to grain yield in that the impact of N fertilization was more prevalent in 2000 compared to 2001 and 2002. As soybean N content increased due to N fertilization oil content decreased. This research demonstrates that applying N as starter has the potential to increase soybean yield and quality in the unique environments of the northern Great Plains.