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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #321800
Title: Residue harvest effects on irrigated, no-till corn yield and nitrogen response

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

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/26/2015
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Corn residue is increasingly harvested and used as forage for beef cattle and will likely be the primary feedstock in the Corn Belt region for an emerging cellulosic biofuel industry. Research was conducted to determine the effect of residue removal on corn yield and the economically optimal N rate (EONR) for the following corn crop. The hypothesis was that EONR for corn following corn with residue removal is less even though yield may be increased compared to no residue removal under irrigated, no-till conditions. 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. Agronomic efficiency of applied N use was not consistently affected. We conclude that current recommended N application rates for continuous corn should not be altered based on corn residue removal.

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. Agronomic efficiency of applied N use was not consistently affected. The residue removal effect on EONR was not consistent over site-years, and the mean reduction in EONR with residue removal was between 10 to 20 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.