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ARS Home » Plains Area » Temple, Texas » Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418886
Research Project: Enhancing Cropping System and Grassland Sustainability in the Texas Gulf Coast Region by Managing Systems for Productivity and Resilience

Location: Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Title: Optimizing corn yield through strategic nitrogen application

Author
item RAM SAPKOTA, BALA - Texas A&M University
item BAATH, GURJINDER - Texas Agrilife Research
item Flynn, Kyle
item Smith, Douglas

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/29/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: n/a - abstract only.

Technical Abstract: Optimizing nitrogen (N) management is essential for maximizing corn productivity and minimizing environmental impacts. Excessive nitrogen application during early crop growth can lead to N loss to the atmosphere, causing economic losses and environmental pollution. Generalized fertilizer N recommendations are insufficient to account for soil system complexity and accurately synchronize N supply and demand. Due to imminent fluctuations in fertilizer prices and low nitrogen use efficiency, there is an urgent need to rapidly develop reliable N management tools. Unchecked, excessive N applications will continue to exacerbate environmental pollution and compound economic losses. This research aims to develop site-specific N recommendation models using multivariate data collected via unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and other platforms to synchronize N supply and demand and improve NUE. Our hypothesis is that site-specific models will account for variability and recommend accurate N rates. Recent findings from two year (2022 and 2023) field experiments in central Texas (Temple and Riesel) will be presented, discussing site-specific N responses of corn.