Figure showing reductions in nitrification based on temeprature.
Figure 1. Reductions in nitrification over time based on temperature.

Anhydrous Ammonia Conversion

April 18, 2019
The environmental conditions allowing for anhydrous injury in 2018 are different then what we are experiencing this year. This brief looks at factors affecting the conversion from ammonia to usable soil nitrate.

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Spring fertilizer application

More on Nutrient Management for 2019

April 11, 2019
This article addresses nitrogen application options for corn and availability of P and K from land-applied grain and fodder damaged by flooding. It supplements the previous article, Nutrient Management Issues for 2019.

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Graph showing hypothetical illustration of variability of N loss.

Overall Efficiency of Fertilizer Nitrogen Use for Corn Production in Nebraska

April 3, 2019
How well are we managing N fertilizer in corn and where can we improve to increase economic and environmental benefits.This article looks at sources of N fertilizer losses, input efficiencies and other factors.

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Chart of nitro use efficiency and partial profits

Profit and Nitrogen Use Efficiency Gain Using Sensor-Guided Fertigation

January 9, 2019
A UNL study of sensor-based and model-informed fertigation treatments confirms that sensor fertigation treatments are consistently the most profitable and efficient methods of applying N compared to current best management practices (BMPs).

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James Schnable examines a sorghum plant with Andy Benson
Nebraska's James Schnable (left) examines a sorghum plant with Andy Benson in the Greenhouse Innovation Center. Schnable is part of a $3.9 million NSF-funded project that aims to develop crops that more efficiently use fertilizer. (Photo by Craig Chandler, UNL)

Researchers Aim to Reduce Nitrogen Fertilizer Use

November 28, 2018
Today’s agricultural researchers are turning to plant genomics to find solutions for growing crops more sustainably with fewer inputs, including nitrogen fertilizer, without sacrificing yield or profit.

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Spring N application in the field
Growers planning for their 2019 N management in corn might consider the potential for increased N efficiency and reduced loss from split applications at planting and up to R3 growth stage rather than a fall application.

Consequences of Fall-Applied N

November 9, 2018
A fall nitrogen application has a relatively high loss potential and is considered the riskiest N management practice. Consider breaking tradition and splitting your N applications next year to coincide with when your corn most needs more N.

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Figure 1. Final soybean stand count was not necessarily an indicator of yield in this 2017 study of the effects of late-season (R3) nitrogen application in soybean. The Lincoln County plot (left) had a final stand count of 72,000 plants per acre and yielded 72.7-73 bu/ac. The Perkins County plot (right) had a final stand count of 161,000 plants per acre and yielded 74.4-77 bu/ac.
Figure 1. Final soybean stand count was not necessarily an indicator of yield in this 2017 study of the effects of late-season (R3) nitrogen application in soybean. The Lincoln County plot (left) had a final stand count of 72,000 plants per acre and yielded 72.7-73 bu/ac. The Perkins County plot (right) had a final stand count of 161,000 plants per acre and yielded 74.4-77 bu/ac.

Is Late Season N Fertilization Warranted for Irrigated Soybean in Western Nebraska?

November 2, 2018
On-farm research trials were conducted in three southwest Nebraska counties to study whether a late season N application during the pod setting and seed filling phases would increase soybean yields.

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Figure 1. Drilling cereal rye into corn stubble in Dodge County, October 19, 2018.
Figure 1. Drilling cereal rye into corn stubble in Dodge County, October 19, 2018. (Photo by Katja Koehler-Cole)

It’s Not Too Late to Plant Cereal Rye as a Nitrogen Catch Crop Before Soybean

October 24, 2018
In trials conducted at three research stations in eastern, northeastern and south-central Nebraska, researchers investigated rye productivity and its ability to scavenge N when grown as a cover crop between full-season corn and soybeans.

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