Effect of Nitrogen Nutrition on Solute Accumulation and Ion Contents of Maize under Sodium Chloride Stress

Salinity is a major abiotic stress that limits the productivity of crops, particularly cereal crops, while decreasing nutrient availability, especially of nitrogen. An experiment was conducted to study the effects of salt stress [i.e., S₀, S₁, and S₂ (control, 1.09; 5; and 10 dS m^?1)] and four different nitrogen (N) levels [i.e., N₀, N₁, N₂, and N₃ (control, 175, 225, and 275 kg N ha^?1)] on two maize hybrids, Pioneer 32B33 (salt tolerant) and Dekalb 979 (salt sensitive). The experiment was conducted in a wire house. The experiment was laid out with three factors in a completely randomized design. The plant tissue was analyzed for solute and ion contents. With the increase in salt stress and N rate, solute (i.e., glycinebetaine), protein, total soluble sugar, and total free amino acids accumulated in both hybrids. Nitrate (NO₃) and nitrite (NO₂) reductase activity decreased sharply at 10 dS m^?1 compared to lower levels of salinity but it increased significantly with the addition of N. The uptake of potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), N, and phosphorus (P) reduced significantly in shoots with increased salinity while the sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl) contents were increased. It is concluded from the present study that at greater salinity level, hybrid Pioneer32B33 maintained statistically greater solute and ion contents excluding Na⁺ and Cl ions and significantly decreased enzyme activity. However, these parameters were increased by N rate.     

Effects of Soil Fertility Management on Growth,Yield, and Water-Use Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.) and Selected Soil Properties

Maize was grown for two cropping years to investigate the supplementary effect of inorganic fertilizer with cow dung on growth, yield, water-use efficiency, and soil properties. Five treatments were imposed: unfertilized control and four different fertilization packages comprising two different levels of inorganic fertilization with cow dung as supplements, sole inorganic fertilizer, and sole cow dung. Results analyzed after the two cropping years showed significant differences in growth and yield. A reduction in yield was observed for the unfertilized plots, whereas yields in the plots of supplemented inorganic fertilizer with cow dung increased and were significantly at par with the sole inorganic fertilizer plot. Water-use efficiency was improved for the fertilized plots. Significant improvement was observed in the water-stable aggregates with plots that received cow dung as organic manure either in part with inorganic fertilizer or as sole cow dung.     

Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nano Particles and Their Effect on Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.) Plant

In the current literature, the impact of nano-particles (NPs) on growth of higher plants has scantly been reported. An investigation was carried out to study the effect of zinc oxide nano-particles (<100 nm) on growth of maize (Zea mays L.) plant, as one of the major agricultural crops, in a solution culture system. Various concentrations of zinc (Zn) were applied through nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) particles (<100 nm) in suspension form and in ionic form through zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) salt in Hoagland solution culture. Experimental results showed that nano zinc oxide particles could enhance and maintain the growth of maize plant as well as conventional Zn fertilizer (as ZnSO₄). The plant parameters like plant height, root length, root volume, and dry matter weight were all improved due to application of zinc oxide nano-particle. These findings indicate that plant roots might have the unique mechanism of assimilating nano-Zn and using for its growth and development. Different enzymatic activities were also studied and experimental results revealed that nano-ZnO particles (<100 nm) also governed the enzymatic activity of maize plant. A separate laboratory experiment was also carried out to characterize the zinc oxide nano particle for its size, zeta potential, etc.     

施氮时期对超高产夏玉米产量及氮素吸收利用的影响

选用登海661（DH661）和郑单958（ZD958）为试材,研究了超高产条件下施氮时期对夏玉米子粒产量、氮素利用率以及转运特性的影响。结果表明,拔节期一次性施氮较不施氮增产不显著;随着施氮次数的增加产量显著提高,灌浆期施氮可以显著提高粒重,从而提高产量。拔节期、大口期、花后10d按2:4:4施氮,DH661产量可达14188.9 kg/hm2;基肥、拔节期、大口期、花后10d按1:2:5:2施氮,ZD958产量可达14529.6 kg/hm2。生长期内分次施氮及灌浆期施氮可显著提高植株和子粒中氮素积累,延长氮素积累活跃期;同时可以显著提高氮素收获指数、氮肥农学利用率、氮素表观回收率和氮肥偏生产力。DH661和ZD958在2:4:4和3:5:2施肥方式下开花前和开花后氮素吸收比例分别为51:49和60:40。开花前分次施氮可显著提高氮素转运量和转运效率,灌浆期施氮可显著提高花后子粒氮素同化。DH661和ZD958在2:4:4和3:5:2施肥方式下花后氮素同化量分别占子粒吸氮量63.0%和50.5%。本试验条件下,DH661采用拔节期、大口期、花后10d按2:4:4施入,ZD958基肥、拔节期、大口期、花后10d按1:2:5:2施入或拔节期、大口期、花后10d按3:5:2施入可提高氮素利用率,实现高产高效。     

大气CO2浓度升高和氮肥互作对玉米花后功能叶碳氮同化物的影响

在常规大气CO2浓度（aCO2,400±15μmol·mol−1）和高CO2浓度（eCO2,550±20μmol·mol−1）下分别设置无氮（ZN）和施氮（CN,180kg N·hm−2）2个氮水平的交互处理,以夏玉米品种郑单958为供试材料开展田间试验,测定花后功能叶碳同化物（可溶性糖和淀粉、总碳）动态和氮吸收及同化物组分（硝态氮、游离氨基酸、可溶性蛋白、非溶性氮化合物细胞壁氮素和类囊体氮素、总氮）动态以及碳氮比动态的变化及玉米产量,以探究CO2浓度升高和氮肥交互作用下,以玉米为代表的C4作物花后功能叶不同组分碳氮同化物质量分数及动态和产量的变化,以期为全球气候变化下玉米生理过程的变化提供理论支撑,同时为玉米作物模型调参提供实证数据。结果表明：（1）本试验条件下,大气CO2浓度升高对夏玉米生物量及产量的作用不显著。（2）eCO2下夏玉米花后功能叶主要碳同化产物（可溶性糖和淀粉）和总碳的质量分数显著（P＜0.05）增加,功能叶中氮同化物中简单组分（硝态氮、游离氨基酸及可溶性蛋白）质量分数和碳氮比、地上部生物量、产量也有一定增加,但未达显著水平;而氮同化物中的结构氮组分（如细胞壁氮和类囊体氮）质量分数显著降低,总氮也有一定降低趋势,显示出后期结构氮组分合成有一定不足。（3）氮肥施用显著增加了花后功能叶碳同化物（如可溶性糖和大部分时期淀粉）及各种氮同化物的质量分数和生物量及产量,对总碳的增加作用不显著。（4）eCO2下合理施用氮肥,会使地上部生物量、产量、功能叶中简单碳同化物可溶性糖、简单氮同化物指标（硝态氮、游离氨基酸和可溶性蛋白）和总碳质量分数达到较优。因此,在未来大气CO2浓度升高为特征之一的气候变化背景下,氮素合成的生理调控管理对促进碳氮代谢及玉米高产优质有积极作用。     

Sources,Rates and Time of Nitrogen Application on Maize Crops under No-Tillage System

Quantitatively, nitrogen (N) is the foremost nutrient for maize crops (Zea mays L.), but the N source to increase the grain productivity still needs more investigation. Thus, the aim of this experiment was to study sources, rates and time of N application on the crop yield and agronomic characteristics of the maize under no-tillage system. The experiment was carried out during two growing seasons on an Oxisol under the factorial 5 × 3 × 3 scheme with five N rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha^?1) and three sources (ammonium-sulfate-nitrate as inhibitor of the nitrification (ASN+I), ammonium sulfate (AS) and urea); we applied them two times with four replicates: first time at the sowing or later under side dressing when the plants had the six leaves stage. In the first year, the sources of N had no influence on the number of grain line /ear (NGLE), grain number/line (GNL), total number of grain/ear (TNFE), biomass of 100 grain, plant height (PH), height of the first ear insertion (AFEI) and stalk diameter, in contrast with the foliar N content and the crop yield. Early fertilization with N at the sowing time can afford applications as well as the total side dressing. The increase of the rates had positive influence on the N foliar content, plant height and 100 grains biomass. The highest productivities were found with rates above the threshold of 150 kg ha^?1, no matter the sources and the fertilization time.     

Effects of Phosphorus Fertilizer Source and Plant Density on Growth and Yield of Maize in Northwestern Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Phosphorus (P) fertilizer source and plant density are considered some of the most important factors affecting crop growth and yield. A field experiment was conducted to determine the impact of P source [zero-P control, DAP (diammonium phosphate), SSP (single super phosphate), and NP (nitrphos)] and plant density (D₁ = 40,000, D₂ = 60,000, D₃ = 80,000, and D₄ = 100,000 plants ha^?1) on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L cv. Azam) on a P-deficient soil (6.6 mg P kg^?1) at New Developmental Agricultural Research Farm, North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan, during summer 2006 in wheat-maize cropping system. Physiological maturity was delayed, plant height was increased and leaf area was decreased significantly when maize was planted at highest (D₄) than at lowest plant density (D₁). Application of SSP resulted in earlier physiological maturity of maize than other P fertilizers. Grain and stover yield, harvest index, shelling percentage, thousand grain weight and grains ear^?1 were maximized at D₃ (80,000 plants ha^?1) and with application of P fertilizer. Highest benefit in growth and grain yield was obtained with application of DAP to maize planted at D₃. Application of DAP at D₃ gave 15, 29, and 19% higher grain yield than its application at D₁, D₂, and D₄, respectively. In conclusion, the findings suggest that growing maize at 80,000 plants ha^?1 applied with DAP can maximize productivity of maize in the wheat-maize cropping system on P-deficient soils.     

Influence of Nitrogen and Saline Water on the Growth and Partitioning of Mineral Content in Maize

ABSTRACT

Saline irrigation water has a tremendous impact on the yield potential of crops. Distribution of mineral elements in the parts of maize plant in response to saline water and nitrogen (N) nutrition was studied in a pot experiment for six weeks. Plants were irrigated either with tap water or saline water (ECw: 3.2 dSm^?1). Nitrogen was applied at the rate of 0, 50, 100 and 200-kg ha^?1 denoted as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively. Plants were separated into leaf, stem and root and analyzed for N, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) concentrations. Dry matter production of leaf, stem and root was significantly reduced with saline water. The partitioning of elements in plants was the function of nitrogen and saline water. The N concentration of plant parts varied in the order of leaf > stem > root. A significant decrease in the N content was noted in plants under saline water. The root contained the highest Na content, Ca and Mg were higher in the leaf, whereas K was highest in the stem under saline water. Sodium was highest in the root and the remainder elements were greatest in the stem under tap water. Potassium and Cl were significantly reduced by N level whereas the reverse was true for Ca, Mg and Na content. The Na/K, Na/Ca, and Na/Mg ratios were also higher in salt stressed plant parts due to higher accumulation of Na ion. Among N-fertilizer treatments the Na/Ca and Na/Mg ratios were highest in control whereas Na/K increased with the addition of N. This study indicated that interaction of saline water and nitrogen has mixed effects on the partitioning of mineral elements in maize.     

Liming and Nitrogen Effects on Maize Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

ABSTRACT

The study was aimed to determine the appropriate nitrogen (N) rate to combine with liming for enhanced maize yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Two maize varieties [Ikom White (IKW) and Obatanpa-98 (Oba-98)], two lime rates (0 kg ha^?1 and 500 kg ha^?1) and three N rates (0, 90 and 180 kg ha^?1) were used. The treatments were laid as a split-split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The growth attributes, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), harvest index, dry matter, and grain yield increased (P ≤ 0.05) with increases in N rates, especially in plots amended with lime. Oba-98 was better yielding (2.12 versus (vs) 1.88 t ha^?1) and absorbed more (P ≤ 0.05) radiation (442.06 vs 409.54 μmol m^?2s^?1) than IKW. The efficiency indices and partial factor productivity were best optimized at the 90 kg ha^?1 N rate with Oba-98 having higher values than IKW. Therefore, liming (500 kg ha^?1) plus N at 180 kg ha^?1produced the best yield of the hybrid maize, Oba-98.     

The nitrogen content of corn grain as affected by hybrid,population, and location

Abstract

Samples were taken from 9 of the 20 major experiments which comprised the Illinois commercial corn (Zea mays L.) performance trial and evaluated for grain yield, percent grain N, and grain N yield.

The mean percent N in the grain was 1.54%, with 91.8% of the samples between 1.34 to 1.74%. Although location and plant population affected the mean values, the range of values about the mean was relatively unaffected. Grain N yield was more closely correlated with grain yield than with percent grain N.     

滴灌水氮对土壤残留有效氮及玉米产量的影响

通过大田试验研究膜下滴灌施用不同水氮对玉米产量及收获后土壤残留有效氮的影响,寻求适宜的水氮耦合量,为达到高产、高效与低土壤氮损失量、残留量相协调的目标提供初步理论。结果表明:1 351~1 465 m~3/hm~2的低灌水量不能有效发挥氮对产量的贡献。灌水1 400~1 800 m~3/hm~2、施氮280~290 kg/hm~2时水对产量提升速度最快而与氮无协同增产效应。灌水1 800~2 100 m~3/hm~2、施氮250~280 kg/hm~2能获得比较高的产量和水氮协同增产效应。收获后1 m土层有效氮分布为由浅向深逐层减少,不同水氮施用量主要影响40~100 cm的残留量。施氮量增加,有效氮残留量增大,用量240 kg/hm~2以内残留量增长缓慢,继续施氮增长迅速。1 351~1 465 m~3/hm~2的低灌水量下肥料氮转化为土壤氮少,残留有效氮少。1 802~2 071 m~3/hm~2的灌水量促进肥料氮向土壤氮转化,随水迁移增大了40~100 cm土壤有效氮。灌水量达2 197~2 315 m~3/hm~2后,1 m土层有效氮残留量减少、深层损失量增大。优选水氮耦合量包含于近似椭圆的区域,交集区灌水2 016~2 100 m3/hm~2,施氮228~250 kg/hm~2可作为松辽平原到内蒙古高原过渡地带膜下滴灌种植玉米的适宜水氮耦合量。     

稳定氮肥用量对夏玉米产量和氮肥利用率的影响

通过大田小区试验,研究了稳定氮肥不同用量对夏玉米产量、养分累积量、氮肥利用效率及经济效益的影响。结果表明,与不施稳定氮肥相比,稳定氮肥施氮量90、150、210 kg·hm-2和270 kg·hm-2分别增产36.7%、62.1%、76.6%和81.9%,地上部氮素总累积量分别增加39.0%、60.3%、79.0%和113.4%,经济效益分别增加36.1%、61.2%、72.7%和77.1%;与农民习惯施用氮肥相比,高量稳定氮肥用量210 kg·hm-2和270 kg·hm-2分别增产7.3%和10.5%,地上部氮素总累积量分别增加3.2%和23.0%,经济效益分别增加9.7%和11.4%。施用稳定氮肥促进夏玉米对氮素的吸收累积,高量210 kg·hm-2和270kg·hm-2处理较习惯施氮提高总吸氮量。施用稳定氮肥各处理氮肥表观利用率和农学效率显著高于农民习惯施氮,偏生产力高于农民习惯施氮,生理效率除270 kg·hm-2处理外,高于农民习惯施氮。稳定氮肥施氮量在210 kg·hm-2时,能较好地协调玉米高产与稳定氮肥合理利用的统一。     

Effect of Elevated [CO2] on Assimilation,Allocation of Nitrogen and Phosphorus by Maize (Zea Mays L.)

To estimate the effect of elevated [CO₂] on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) dynamics and productivity in summer maize, a field experiment was conducted in open-top chambers (OTCs) at different [CO₂] (550 μmol/mol, T1; 750 μmol/mol, T2 and a control, CK) in Nanjing in Jiangsu Province, China. The results showed that maize total N and P accumulation were 13.23–66.56% higher in the elevated [CO₂] treatments than in the CK plots during the jointing, anthesis and maturity stages. There was only a significant difference in total N accumulation between the T2 treatment and CK at maturity (P < 0.05). However, rising [CO₂] decreased the N and P concentrations in each biomass fraction. Elevated [CO₂] increased the amounts of N and P translocation, resulting in the contribution of translocated N to grain N. Similarly, rising [CO₂] increased N and P translocation efficiencies, N or P harvest index, and N or P utilization efficiency based on grain yield and N or P utilization efficiencies based on biomass in both growing seasons. In addition, elevated [CO₂] significantly increased aboveground biomass at three stages, including 4.73–12.34% at maturity. The grain yields of summer maize increased by 21.28% and 29.07% in the two elevated [CO₂] plots. Furthermore, spike numbers, kernels per spike and 100-grain weight were increased by elevated [CO₂] treatments. Kernels per spike and grain yield showed obvious differences between elevated [CO₂] treatments and CK (p < 0.05).     

不同钾肥施用量对玉米抗倒性能及产量的影响

以先玉335和郑单958为试验材料,针对不同钾肥施用量(0、50、100、150、200kg/hm~2)对玉米茎秆形态特征、干物质积累特性及产量的影响进行系统研究。结果表明:随着钾肥用量的增加,两品种穗位高系数均呈"V"型曲线,在K2处理(100kg/hm~2)时最低。与郑单958相比,先玉335第3~6节的节间长/节间直径对钾肥施用量的变化更敏感,呈现增加-降低-增加的变化规律。同一钾肥处理同一节位,郑单958节间长和节间长/节间直径均小于先玉335。钾肥用量对节间直径无显著影响。两个品种节间干物质比、单位节间干重和茎秆强度均随钾肥用量的增加先升高后降低。相关分析表明:玉米茎秆强度与单位节间干重呈极显著正相关。适宜的钾肥施用量对产量有一定的正效应,本试验5个处理中,钾肥施用量为100kg/hm~2时两玉米品种产量最高。     

控释尿素对春玉米产量、氮效率及氮素平衡的影响

为明确控释尿素在春玉米上的应用效果及土壤氮素平衡状况,在黑龙江省双城、宾县、哈尔滨、肇源地区通过2011—2012年两年四点次田间小区试验,研究普通尿素与控释尿素(控释期90 d的树脂包膜尿素)混合施用对春玉米产量、氮肥效率(NUE)及土壤氮素盈亏的影响。结果表明,春玉米产量、植株吸氮量均随着施氮量的增加而增加。与普通尿素一次性基施相比,控释尿素能够提高玉米产量、植株吸氮量、氮肥表观利用率、氮农学效率(ANUE)及氮肥贡献率(FCR)。在相同氮素施用水平下(100%、75%、50%氮肥用量),100%基施控释尿素比100%基施普通尿素各处理玉米产量分别平均增加391、427、291 kg·hm-2;氮肥表观利用率提高5.9%、4.9%和5.1%;氮肥农学效率提高2.0、2.6 kg·kg~(-1)和2.6 kg·kg~(-1);氮肥贡献率增加2.7%、3.1%和2.4%。处理4(普通尿素40%基肥,60%追施)和处理5(40%普通尿素与60%控释尿素混合一次性基施)玉米产量、植株吸氮量、氮肥表观利用率、氮农学效率差异不显著。氮素表观亏缺量随着氮肥用量的增加而降低。与100%普通尿素作基肥一次性施入相比,100%控释尿素一次性基施降低氮素表观损失量15.0 kg·hm-2;40%普通尿素与60%控释尿素混合一次性基施降低氮素表观损失率23.9 kg·hm-2。可见,普通尿素与控释尿素分别以40%和60%的比例混合施用在黑龙江省玉米生产上是可以推广和借鉴的氮素管理方式。     

Impact of Nutrient Seed Priming on Germination,Seedling Development,Nutritional Status and Grain Yield of Maize

Effects of seed priming with zinc (Zn) plus manganese (Mn), boron (B), and phosphate (P) on growth and nutritional status of maize were studied. Nutrient seed priming significantly increased seed contents of primed nutrients. In nutrient solution (NS) lacking Zn and Mn, growth of maize plants primed with Zn?+?Mn increased by more than 50% and 100%, respectively, as compared to control treatment. The primed nutrients were efficiently translocated to the growing shoot and could maintain Zn and Mn supply for at least three weeks of the culture period. In soil culture, plants suffered from P and Zn deficiency, which was mitigated to some extent by P and Zn?+?Mn priming. Particularly, translocation of Zn seed reserves to the shoot tissue was negatively affected by the highly calcareous soil. In the field experiment, Zn?+?Mn seed priming increased grain yield by 15%, demonstrating the potential for long-lasting effects of nutrient seed priming.     

Impact of Fertilization and Irrigation on the Correlation between the Soil Plant Analysis Development Value and Yield of Maize

The degree of nitrogen (N) supply in maize under nonirrigated and irrigated conditions was measured using a Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) 502 portable chlorophyll meter for 4 years. The lowest readings were obtained from a plot that has not been fertilized for 23 years. The highest SPAD value in the nonirrigated treatments was obtained in 2004, whereas the lowest was measured in the drought year of 2007. In the irrigated treatments, there was a closer correlation between fertilization and SPAD values during the examined 4 years. As the result of fertilization, the average increase of SPAD values in the irrigated plots was greater than in the nonirrigated plots. The result of irrigation on SPAD values was significant every year (P < 0.001), with the largest increase in the drought year of 2003. In the nonirrigated treatments, fertilization and grain yield had a weak correlation, whereas in the irrigated treatments the correlation between the two variables was strong.     

N、P、K肥对玉米幼苗吸收和积累重金属的影响

采用室内盆栽试验,研究复合污染土壤中施加氮肥（NH4Cl）、磷肥（Na2HPO4）和钾肥（KCl）对高生物量经济作物玉米（Zeamays L.）幼苗生长以及吸收和积累重金属的影响。结果表明,不同施肥方式和浓度处理对玉米生物量变化以及吸收重金属有不同影响,NH4Cl能显著提高玉米地上部生物量、土壤Pb、Cd有效态含量,增加玉米对重金属Pb、Cd、As的提取量,最大分别可提高1.7、2.0倍和1.2倍。不同施肥方式和处理浓度均显著影响土壤有效态Pb含量,Na2HPO4在中浓度处理时显著降低土壤Pb的有效性,高浓度时则显著增加土壤有效态As含量,使玉米地上部对As的积累量有明显提高。在不同的浓度水平下,钾肥处理使玉米提取Pb含量显著高于氮肥和磷肥,其中低浓度KCl处理使玉米提取Pb量比对照增加2.4倍。对Pb-Cd-As复合污染农田土壤来说,施用氮肥（NH4Cl）处理对强化玉米的修复效果最好。     

不同覆盖对夏玉米叶片光合和水分利用效率日变化的影响

在中国气象局农业气象试验基地,对留残茬和秸秆覆盖措施下夏玉米叶片光合作用和叶片水平上的水分利用效率进行了试验研究,以探索夏玉米在这两种方式下的节水抗旱高产的生理生态机制。试验结果表明:光合速率日变化差异主要表现在上午;下午虽不甚明显,但也是覆盖和残茬两个处理略高于对照,说明2种土表覆盖方式促进了该时段光合速率的提高。留残茬和覆盖能明显提高夏玉米叶片水平上的水分利用效率,尤其在下午表现更为明显,最终提高产量水平上的水分利用效率,使农田的光、温和水资源得以科学有效地利用。     

Compost and Manure Effects on Fertilized Corn Silage Yield and Nitrogen Uptake under Irrigation

Abstract

Dairy manure increases the yields of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from eroded, furrow‐irrigated soils and may increase corn (Zea mays L.) silage yield from steeper eroded areas under sprinkler irrigation. In a 2‐year field study in southern Idaho on Portneuf silt loam (coarse silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Durinodic Xeric Haplocalcid), the effects of a one‐time, fall application of 29 or 72 Mg ha^?1 of dry manure or 22 or 47 Mg ha^?1 of dry compost on subsequent silage yield and nitrogen (N) uptake from previously eroded, sprinkler‐irrigated hill slopes were evaluated. In October 1999, stockpiled or composted dairy manure was disked to a depth of 0.15 m into plots with slopes from 0.8 to 4.4%. After planting field corn in 2000 and 2001, a low‐pressure, six‐span traveling lateral sprinkler system was utilized to apply water at 28 mm h^?1 in amounts sufficient to satisfy evapotranspiration to 6.4‐×36.6‐m field plots. Yields in 2000 were 27.5 Mg ha^?1, similar among all rates of all amendments and a fertilized control. In 2001, compost applied at oven‐dry rates up to 47 Mg ha^?1 increased yield compared to controls. Silage yield in 2001 increased initially then decreased with increasing manure applications. Where compost or manure was applied, regardless of rate, 2‐year average N uptake was 15% greater than controls. Regardless of treatment or year, yields decreased linearly as soil slope increased.