The Future of Nitrogen Management

for High Yield Maize Production

Fred Below
Crop Physiology Laboratory
Department of Crop Sciences, University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
International Symposium on the Efficient Use of Nitrogen in Agriculture
Virtual via Zoon, October 21, 2020
Major Maize Growing Areas in the United States

Illinois
Test Your Knowledge of High
Yield Maize
• Which management factor under
the growers control has the
biggest impact on maize yield?
Nitrogen Fertilizer Management
The Seven Wonders of Maize Yield
• Ranks those factors that have a
positive (and sometimes
negative) impact on maize yield
• Gives each factor an average
tons per hectare value
 The Seven Wonders of Maize Yield
Rank Factor Value
tons/hectare
1 Weather 4.4+
2 Nitrogen 4.4
3 Hybrid/Variety 3.1
4 Previous Crop 1.6
5 Plant Population 1.3
6 Tillage/No-Tillage 0.9
7 PGRs/Biologicals 0.6
Given key prerequisites of drainage, weed
and pest control and adequate soil fertility
Why is Nitrogen so Important to Maize Productivity?

• Plants require relatively high levels

(tissues can be 1-5% by weight of N)

• Nitrogen is present in numerous essential

plant compounds (proteins, nucleic acids,
growth regulators, chlorophyll), and plays
many important physiological roles
throughout the entire growth cycle
Test Your Knowledge of High
Yield Maize
• What is a typical yield
response of maize to
additions of nitrogen
fertilizer in the US?
Typical Yield Response of Maize to Fertilizer N in the US
11.2

Grain yield (tons ha-1)

10.3 Check Plot Yield
Yield without the
addition of fertilizer
8.8
N, or what the soil
supplies
7.5

6.3 Check Plot Yield = 6.8 tons

0 56 112 168 224 280 336

Average of 78 on-farm locations
Yield @ 15% moisture
N rate (kg ha-1)
Typical Yield Response of Maize to Fertilizer N in the US
11.2

Grain yield (tons ha-1) D Yield = 4.4 tons

10.3
The yield
8.8 response to N,
and the N rate
that gives
7.5
maximal yield

6.3

0 56 112 168 224 280 336

Average of 78 on-farm locations
Yield @ 15% moisture
N rate (kg ha-1)
Typical Yield Response of Maize to Fertilizer N in the US
N Requirement = 15 kg N/ton grain
11.2

Grain yield (tons ha-1) N Requirement

10.3
the amount of N
needed per unit
8.8 of grain produced
168 kg N = 15 kg N/ton
7.5 11.2 ton/ha

6.3

0 56 112 168 224 280 336

Average of 78 on-farm locations

Yield @ 15% moisture
N rate (kg ha-1)
Yield Response of Maize to Fertilizer N
• The N Requirement is often used
to predict the amount of fertilizer
nitrogen needed for optimal yield
Example
-10 ton/hectare yield goal
-Multiply by 15 kg N/ton
-Fertilizer = 150 kg N/hectare
Yield Response to Nitrogen = Check Plot Yield + D Yield
11.2

Grain yield (tons ha-1) D Yield = 4.4 tons

10.3

8.8

7.5

Check plot yield = 6.8 tons

6.3

0 56 112 168 224 280 336

Average of 78 on-farm locations
Yield @ 15% moisture
N rate (kg ha-1)
Yield Response of Maize to Fertilizer N
• Yield Response to Nitrogen
= Check Plot Yield + D Yield
• Both Check Plot Yield or D Yield can
vary spatially in individual fields or
among different hybrids
• In general, Check Plot Yield is more
under genetic control, while D Yield is
affected by the environment
Nitrogen Interacts with all the Yield Wonders
Rank Factor Value
tons/hectare
1 Weather 4.4+
2 Nitrogen 4.4
3 Hybrid/Variety 3.1
4 Previous Crop 1.6
5 Plant Population 1.3
6 Tillage/No-Tillage 0.9
7 PGRs/Biologicals 0.6
Given key prerequisites of drainage, weed
and pest control and adequate soil fertility
Test Your Knowledge of High
Yield Maize

•Does weather impact

nitrogen availability?
Weather Induced Nitrogen Loss
Nitrogen Interacts with all the Yield Wonders
Rank Factor Value
tons/hectare
1 Weather 4.4+
2 Nitrogen 4.4
3 Hybrid/Variety 3.1
4 Previous Crop 1.6
5 Plant Population 1.3
6 Tillage/No-Tillage 0.9
7 PGRs/Biologicals 0.6
Given key prerequisites of drainage, weed
and pest control and adequate soil fertility
Nitrogen Interacts with all the Yield Wonders
Rank Factor Value
tons/hectare
1 Weather 4.4+
2 Nitrogen 4.4
3 Hybrid/Variety 3.1
4 Previous Crop 1.6
5 Plant Population 1.3
6 Tillage/No-Tillage 0.9
7 PGRs/Biologicals 0.6
Given key prerequisites of drainage, weed
and pest control and adequate soil fertility
 How Have Maize Yields in the US Increased?
Grain Yield (tons hectare-1)

Plant Population (hectare-1)

11.3 U.S. plant population 79040
U.S. average grain yield
10.1 74100
69160
8.8
64220
7.5
59280
6.3
54340
5.0
49400
3.8 44460
2.5 39520
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Year
Source USDA
 Grain Yield is a Product
Function of Yield Components
Yield = (plants/hectare) x
(kernels/plant) x
(weight/kernel)
Population Increases 900 Plants per Hectare per Year
Grain Yield (tons hectare-1)

Plant Population (hectare-1)

11.3 U.S. plant population 79040
U.S. average grain yield
10.1 74100
69160
8.8
64220
7.5
59280
6.3
54340
5.0
49400
3.8 44460
2.5 39520
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Year
Source USDA
Test Your Knowledge of High
Yield Maize
• What happens to the size of
each plant’s root system as the
plant population is increased?

It Gets Smaller
Root Digging/
Washing
Root Size Decreases with Increasing Plant Population

79,000 93,000 109,000 123,000

Root Weight (grams/plant)

14.6 12.2 10.2 8.6
 Roots Only Expand 15 to 20 cm
Horizontally

79,000 plants/hectare
Test Your Knowledge of High
Yield Maize
• Does nitrogen predominately
move vertically (down) or
horizontally (to the side) in
the soil?
 Nitrogen Deficiency to the Row Due to
Vertical Soil Movement

200 kg N at planting (Left) vs 200 kg at planting + 90 kg at V8 (Right)

In-Season Y-Drop N Application
 Research Y-Drop
Applicator Courtesy of
Yield 360
 Center of Row Split Application with a
Coulter vs Next to the Row With Y-Drop

Champaign, IL May 25th, 2018

Test Your Knowledge of High
Yield Maize
• Are split (in season)
applications of N better than
applying all the N upfront at
planting?
Test Your Knowledge of High
Yield Maize
• When does N need to be
available for maximum N
uptake and grain yield?
 N Uptake & Partitioning for 14.4 Ton Maize 100
280 Grain
Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves
240
N Uptake (kg N ha )

Percent of Total (%)

-1 Stalk and Leaf Sheaths
75
200
Leaf Blades

160 More than 8

kg of N per 50
120
hectare per
80 day for 21 25

40
days

0 0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
GDDC
VE V2 V4 V6 V10 V14 VT/R1 R2 R4 R5 R6
Growth Stage
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010 Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
 N Uptake & Partitioning for 14.4 Ton Maize 100
280 Grain
Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves
N Uptake (kg N ha ) 240

Percent of Total (%)

Stalk and Leaf Sheaths
-1

75
200
Leaf Blades
75% of uptake
160
by flowering, 50
120 extensive
vegetative
80
redistribution 25

40

0 0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
GDDC
VE V2 V4 V6 V10 V14 VT/R1 R2 R4 R5 R6
Growth Stage
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010 Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
 Are Split Applications of Nitrogen Better? 100
280 Grain
Tassel, Cob, Husk Leaves
N Uptake (kg N ha ) 240

Percent of Total (%)

Stalk and Leaf Sheaths
-1

75
200
Leaf Blades

160
Apply half the
N at planting 50
120
and half here?
80
25

40

0 0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
GDDC
VE V2 V4 V6 V10 V14 VT/R1 R2 R4 R5 R6
Growth Stage
Average of 6 hybrids in Champaign and DeKalb IL in 2010 Agron. J. 105:161-170 (2013)
 Treatments
Planting Split Application
No Nitrogen (Check Plot) -

200 kg Urea Broadcast -

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg Urea Broadcast

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg UAN Center of Row

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg UAN Y-Drop

UAN = 28% Urea/Ammonium Nitrate Solution
Split applications at the V8 growth stage
Urea Broadcasted UAN Y-Drop

UAN Center of Row

Two Years Yorkville

• 2017 & 2018

Champaign

Three Locations
• Yorkville (north)
• Champaign (central) Harrisburg

• Harrisburg (south)
 Average Soil Analysis at Crop Physiology
Laboratory Research Sites in Illinois
Yorkville
Yorkville Champaign Harrisburg
(north) (central) (south)
OM (%) 4.5 3.6 2.2 Champaign

pH 6.3 6.3 6.6

CEC 21.9 19.6 13.2
P (ppm)† 45 38 26
K (ppm)† 197 166 133 Harrisburg
† Mehlich 3 extraction
All soils are silt loams or silty clay loams
 Treatments
Planting Split Application
No Nitrogen (Check Plot) -

200 kg Urea Broadcast -

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg Urea Broadcast

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg UAN Center of Row

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg UAN Y-Drop

UAN = 28% Urea/Ammonium Nitrate Solution
Split applications at the V8 growth stage
 Treatments
Planting Split Application
No Nitrogen (Check Plot) -

200 kg Urea Broadcast -

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg Urea Broadcast

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg UAN Center of Row

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg UAN Y-Drop

UAN = 28% Urea/Ammonium Nitrate Solution
Split applications at the V8 growth stage
Differences in Check Plot Yield Per Site
Year and Location Check Plot Yield
tons/hectare
2018 Harrisburg (south) 6.1
2018 Champaign (central) 6.5
2017 Champaign (central) 11.4
2018 Yorkville (north) 12.3
2017 Yorkville (north) 13.1
2017 Harrisburg (south) 14.1
Differences in Check Plot Yield Per Site
Year and Location Check Plot Yield
tons/hectare
2018 Harrisburg (south) 6.1
2018 Champaign (central) 6.5
2017 Champaign (central) 11.4
2018 Yorkville (north) 12.3
2017 Yorkville (north) 13.1
2017 Harrisburg (south) 14.1
 Treatments
Planting Split Application
No Nitrogen (Check Plot) -

200 kg Urea Broadcast -

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg Urea Broadcast

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg UAN Center of Row

100 kg Urea Broadcast 100 kg UAN Y-Drop

UAN = 28% Urea/Ammonium Nitrate Solution
Split applications at the V8 growth stage
Visual Difference in Placement of Split Nitrogen Applications
 Yield Difference from all N Applied At Planting as
Urea vs Different Split Application Placements
Urea Placement of Split Application†
Check Plot Broadcast at
Broadcast Center Row Y-Drop
Rank & Yield Planting
tons/hectare ------------------------------------------ D tons/hectare -------------------------------------

18HB (6.1) 11.9 -0.44 -0.12 0.57

18CU (6.5) 14.0 -0.50 -1.07* 0.38
17CU (11.4) 16.1 -0.19 -1.57* -0.69
18YV (12.3) 14.6 0.19 0.57 0.94*
17YV (13.1) 16.7 0.44 0 0.82*
17HB (14.1) 16.7 0.50 0.57 0.69
† Split application received 100 kg N as urea at planting
* Nitrogen treatment significantly different than Urea Broadcast at planting at α=0.05
 Key Takeaways
• When the N supplied from the soil was
low (as indicated by a low check plot
yield), more N is needed at planting

• Split applications of N increased yield in

environments with high initial soil N, and
the Y-drop method was the best way to
sidedress N.
What About Banding of Nitrogen?
Polycoated Urea Urea
Is Banding Better than Broadcast?
Yorkville
Planting Split Application

No Nitrogen - Champaign

Urea Broadcast -

Urea Branded Urea Broadcast

Harrisburg
PCU Banded -
All treatments (except the no N control) received a total of 200 kg of
N/hectare. Split applications received 100 kg of N just before planting and
100 kg of N/hectare at the V8 growth stage. Two years 2017 and 2018
Visual Difference in Placement of Urea Sources
 Yield Difference from all N Applied Upfront as Urea
or Split Application with Some or all N Banded
100 kg Banded Urea at 200 kg Banded
Check Plot Upfront Urea Planting and 100 kg
Rank & Yield Broadcast Broadcast Urea at V8 PCU at Planting
tons/hectare ------------------------------ D tons/hectare ------------------------

18HB (6.1) 11.9 0.57 0.88*

18CU (6.5) 14.0 -0.31 1.13*
17CU (11.4) 16.1 1.13* 1.89*
18YV (12.3) 14.6 0.57 1.07*
17YV (13.1) 16.7 0.88 0.63
17HB (14.1) 16.7 1.07* 0.75*
* Nitrogen treatment significantly different than Upfront Urea Broadcast at α=0.05
 Key Takeaway
• Banded PCU directly under the crop
row at planting, acted as both a
planting and a split application and
was the best source and application
method, especially when the check
plot was low
 Conclusions
• Yield Response to Nitrogen
= Check Plot Yield + D Yield
• Cannot have weather-induced loss of
nitrogen and grow high maize yields
• Smaller root systems due to increasing
plant populations necessitates better
placement of nitrogen applications
 Conclusions
• Young maize plants need to sense a
certain amount of nitrogen to set their
growth and yield potential
• More nitrogen fertilizer is needed at
planting when the check plot yield is low
• Split applications work best in cases
where the check plot yield is high
 Conclusions
• Placement near the crop row with Y-Drop
is best when a split application is needed
• Banded placement with PCU was the best
of all since it helps to minimize nitrogen
loss, assures that enough nitrogen is
available early to set the yield potential,
and acts as a split application of nitrogen
 Special Thanks to the Ivan Ortiz-
Monasterio and CIMMYT
For More Information:

Crop Physiology Laboratory

University of Illinois
http://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu