The fertilizer rate recommendations in the “Fertilizers for Corn” table are intended to serve as basic guides for the most economically productive corn harvest.
When a comprehensive soil test has not been completed, these general fertilizer guidelines can be utilized. However, the tables in this section are shortened for convenience. Computerized guidelines take into account far more data than can be shown in the tables provided. Using the Table, for example, the recommended rates of fertilizer application are divided down into five main soil categories. Dairy manure additions at two different rates can be generalized by looking at how long it has been since a sod was plowed and its legume content. Using a soil and manure test, these principles can be customized to the grower’s soil resources. The guidelines are calculated using equations based on yield potential (soil type specific), historical cropping patterns, and the type, and rate, of previous and current manure application. There are literally tens of thousands of different ways to accomplish each task.
Visit the Cornell recommendations for field crops page on the Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program website for CAFO planning.
Nutrient losses to the environment are minimal when fertilizer and manure rates are administered according to agronomic response recommendations, allowing for optimal economic production.
Rates per Band
A small amount of nitrogen, most, if not all, of the needed phosphorus, and possibly some potassium should be included in the beginning fertilizer. So, depending on the amount of fertilizer needed, a decent beginning fertilizer might have a ratio of 1-4-0, 1-3-1, 1-3-3, or 1-1-1. Only apply 80 to 100 pounds of N + K2O per acre in the first band. Seedlings can be damaged by 350 pounds per acre more of 10-20-20. In addition to causing seedling harm, urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP) should not be utilized in the starting band.
Research in New York City has yielded these findings:
The lower the number, the better.
Marginal = 250-750 parts per million of nitrate
The ideal range is between 750 and 2000 parts per million of nitrogen.
More than 2000 parts per million of nitrate
Plants in these fields had trouble getting enough nitrogen since the levels were low. There was a shortage of nitrogen availability, root limitations, lack of moisture, or nutrient deficit interactions that made it difficult for nitrogen to reach the plants. In order to be harvested, the plant must have a light to very light green hue and all leaves must be dead to or above the ear leaf.
Marginal-
Some years yields could have been boosted by adding a small amount of N. Plants in those years had the appearance stated previously. The N supply was enough in previous years. Growing circumstances can’t always be predicted ahead of time, thus growers should aim for CSNTs in the ideal range.
The ideal (satisfactory)-
Optimal economic corn output was possible due to adequate nitrogen availability. Three of the five lower leaves will be dead at harvest time in this region, while the upper leaves are still medium to dark green in color.
Amount –
More than 2000 ppm N indicates that the maize had access to more nitrogen than it needed to produce its best yields in the test sample. Lower leaves are unlikely to have succumbed, as the top leaves are still medium to dark green. Application of N fertilizer, whether manure or N fertilizer, provided more nitrogen than the crop required throughout the growth season.
For the most accurate results, this test should be used on the same or similar fields over a period of time. When it comes to the stalk nitrate test, many factors come into play. These include the history of the crop, manure, additional N sources, soil type, and growing conditions.
N management may be evaluated and fine-tuned using this test, which is its major advantage. On-farm interpretation does, however, necessitate years of testing and practice. If the nitrate levels in corn stalks are greater than 2000 parts per million (ppm) or have been higher for two years or more, it may be necessary to test a soil sample for the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test in order to determine the soil’s potential for supplying nitrates and assess the potential yield loss that could result from reducing fertilizer and/or manure application rates. To learn more about using the CSNT and ISNT to fine-tune nitrogen management in maize, see Agronomy Fact Sheet #63.
Assimilation-N
Making Seasonal Corn N Rate Adjustments Based on Weather Data
Different locales and growing seasons necessitate different nitrogen rates for maize. Corn may be nitrogen-deficient one year and adequate the next, despite using the same quantity of fertilizer. This is because weather, soil, and management factors all have a role in determining the proper N fertilizer rate. Corn fertilizer response has been demonstrated to be greatly affected by early season precipitation. Nitrogen (N) is lost in wet springs, thus more fertilizer is needed at sidedress time in those years; less fertilizer is needed in years with drier springs. The ideal N rate is affected by soil type and management strategies as well as the weather.
Adapt-
Compiling these factors into a field-specific, weather-adjusted nitrogen rate recommendation using N is a computational method. Using a computer or mobile device that has Web access, you can get to it. With the help of high-resolution (3×3 mile) data on precipitation and temperatures, soil type, organic matter content, previous crops, organic inputs (e.g. manure), tillage and planting dates and populations, cultivars and yield potential, and other variables, Adapt-N simulate important processes every day. As a result, it is capable of delivering a N recommendation that is both seasonally and geographically appropriate. At the same time, N losses are kept to a minimum, reducing water contamination and greenhouse gas emissions.
What Fertilizer Is Best for Sweet Corn Planting?
Corn (Zea mays) has a long and distinguished history in North American and Mexican cuisines as an essential ingredient. Zones 4 through 8 of the USDA plant hardiness system are suitable for growing corn. When temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, it thrives in Mediterranean climes. Soil nutrients are critical for the growth of sweet corn. It is recommended to apply numerous types of fertilizer at different intervals during the growing season.
Compost
Adding organic materials such as leaves or aged manure to your soil will improve its texture while also providing nutrients. Adding compost to any sort of soil is a terrific way to improve it. Heavy clay soils are better able to drain while too sandy soils hold more water. Before planting sweet corn, experts at Utah State University Cooperative Extension recommend adding 2 to 4 inches of organic matter. Because healthy corn demands well-drained soil, compost is especially crucial if you have heavy clay soil.
Fertilizer Applied Prior to Planting
Sweet corn needs a lot of nitrogen and phosphorus to grow throughout the year. ” Potassium, magnesium, and other essential elements are readily available in many soils, making it possible to cultivate healthy crops of corn. When applied to the soil prior to planting, an all-purpose fertilizer with a nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio of 16-16-8 promotes healthy plant growth. For every 100 square feet of planting area, the experts at Utah State University Extension recommend using 2 pounds of 16-16-8 ratio fertilizer. Soil that has a lower potassium content can be fertilized with more balanced fertilizer such as 12-12-12.
Changing the pH
It is preferable to cultivate corn in soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6. You may test your soil’s pH with soil testing strips that you can get at your local hardware store. If the pH of the soil needs to be raised, lime can be added, and sulfur can be used to lower it. To adjust the pH of the soil by a specified quantity, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for how much to apply when using different soil additions.
After-Planting Side Salad Dressing
Corn will continue to grow well after it sprouts and uses up some of the soil’s nitrogen if it receives a side-dressing of nitrogen-rich fertilizer, such as a 46-0-0 ratio fertilizer. Sweet corn can be side-dressed by watering the fertilizer into the soil 6 inches away from the rows of corn. When plants have eight to ten leaves, the Utah State University Cooperative Extension suggests using 1/2 pound of 46-0-0 fertilizer per 100 square feet. When the corn stalks begin to produce silks or have ten to twelve leaves, you can apply another 1/4 pound of fertilizer.
