Border row effect on corn grain response to sidedressed nitrogen fertilizer

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendations for corn (Zea mays L.) are normally developed from field experiments that determine yield response to applied N. The objective of this study was to examine the severity of border row competition with the harvest rows for sidedressed N in field experiments measuring grain yield. This study was conducted in 1993 and 1994 on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mixed, mesic argiudoll). Ammonium nitrate was broadcast to the center two rows of a four row plot, all four rows of a four row plot and all six rows of a six row plot. Results showed that grain yield from four and six row plots were similar and indicated that while grain yields were much less in 1993 than 1994 (7.36 versus 12.06 Mg ha^‐1, respectively), corn yield response to N was similar regardless of the number of rows fertilized. Thus, there is little reason for plots larger than four rows. The results also lend credibility to sidedressing only harvest rows for soil test calibration studies where grain yield response is the primary response variable.