Nitrogen effect on yield and kernel protein content of sweet corn grown on sandy soils

Abstract

Early spring application of N to Iowa sandy, leachable soils results in reduced sweet corn yields and kernel protein content. Normally, split N applications are used to coincide with crop N demand. Our objectives were to determine if nitrapyrin, a nitrification inhibitor, applied with urea would provide high yields and kernel protein levels when applied at planting.

Nitrogen rate increased yield, ear leaf N concentration, and kernel protein content in 1976 and 1978, with the optimum rate dependent on the year and soil N residual. Urea, with or without nitrapyrin, significantly enhanced yield 13%, early leaf N concentration 17%, and kernel protein content 9% as compared with Ca(NO₃)₂ for both years. High leaching loss of NO₃‐N occurred with the Ca(NO₃)₂ source as compared with urea alone. Kernel protein concentration correlated well with ear leaf N concentration (r = .74) and yield (r = .61). Ear leaf K content was not affected by N rate or source, but Ca(NO₃)₂ enhanced uptake of Ca and Mg as compared with the urea sources. Urea, with nitrapyrin, decreased leaf Mg content in 1978, but not in 1976, as compared with urea alone.