N credit of soybean to a following corn crop in central Ontario

Abstract

Field studies were conducted to determine the nitrogen (N) fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) when soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) preceded corn (Zea mays L.) in the rotation (S-C), compared to corn preceding corn (C-C). Large, replicated blocks of soybean and corn were established in 1993 and 1994 near Elora, Ontario. In the following year, each large block was subdivided into smaller plots. Fertilizer N was applied at six rates from 0 to 200 kg N ha−1 to the second-year corn crop. Corn grain yield responses to fertilizer N were fitted by quadratic regression. Maximum economic rate of N was calculated for each crop sequence and NFRV's were determined. Corn yields were consistently higher when grown after soybean (S-C) than after corn (C-C). Maximum corn yields were 10.4 and 12.3 Mg ha−1 in 1994 and 1995, respectively. NFRVs for S-C, compared to C-C, were 41 and 59 kg N ha−1 in the two years. As a result of these studies and numerous other experiments, recommended fertilizer N rates have been changed to 30 kg N ha−1 less for S-C than for C-C in central Ontario. Key words: Nitrogen credit, corn, soybean, fertilizer N, replacement value, crop rotation