Pre‐Plant Anhydrous Ammonia Placement Consequences on No‐Till Versus Conventional‐Till Maize Growth and Nitrogen Responses
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: With the advent of precision guidance systems, maize (Zea mays L.) farmers in various tillage systems have more options in pre‐plant nutrient banding relative to the intended crop rows. Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) placement during pre‐plant application is of interest because of concerns for possible ammonia toxicity to maize seedlings when high NH3 rates are applied too close to the seed row and the need to improve plant‐nitrogen (N) use efficiencies. Field studies were conducted between 2010 and 2012 near West Lafayette, IN, to compare traditional angled (diagonally) vs. precision‐guided parallel NH3 applications (the latter was offset 15 cm from the future row) in no‐till and conventional tillage systems. The NH3 was injected to depths of about 12 cm at N rates of 145 and 202 kg N ha−1. Maize was planted with additional starter N (20 kg N ha−1) within 6 d of NH3 application. Neither NH3 application placement resulted in significant maize seedling mortality. Conventional tillage increased mean grain yields across N rates and placement treatments from 10.6 to 11.6 Mg ha−1. Tillage did not impact reproductive‐stage leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), or whole‐plant N content at maturity when NH3 was parallel applied, but these plant responses were significantly lower in no‐till after diagonal application. Lowering the pre‐plant N rate to 145 from 202 kg N ha−1 significantly lowered maize whole‐plant biomass and N accumulation at maturity with diagonal application, but not when NH3 was parallel applied.
Source: Agronomy Journal
Institutions: Purdue University West Lafayette, John Deere (United States)
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $1,800
OpenAlex ID: W2033179752