Historical trends in the nitrogen requirement of corn over 45 years in Ohio

The average annual corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield in Ohio has increased since the 1970s, yet the respective roles of corn hybrids and optimal nitrogen (N) fertilization in contributing to this historical trend remain unclear. This study evaluated trends in the agronomically optimal nitrogen rate (AO...

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Autores principales: Fulford, Anthony M., Labarge, Gregory, Lindsey, Alexander, Watters, Harold, Ortez, Osler, Culman, Steven W.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/174604
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author Fulford, Anthony M.
Labarge, Gregory
Lindsey, Alexander
Watters, Harold
Ortez, Osler
Culman, Steven W.
author_browse Culman, Steven W.
Fulford, Anthony M.
Labarge, Gregory
Lindsey, Alexander
Ortez, Osler
Watters, Harold
author_facet Fulford, Anthony M.
Labarge, Gregory
Lindsey, Alexander
Watters, Harold
Ortez, Osler
Culman, Steven W.
author_sort Fulford, Anthony M.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The average annual corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield in Ohio has increased since the 1970s, yet the respective roles of corn hybrids and optimal nitrogen (N) fertilization in contributing to this historical trend remain unclear. This study evaluated trends in the agronomically optimal nitrogen rate (AONR) and corn grain yield at agronomically optimal nitrogen rate (YAONR) when corn followed corn (CC) or soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (SC) in the crop rotation within two eras of corn hybrid development. The two eras were associated with different technological development phases, including 1976–1995 (pre-transgenic era) and 1996–2021 (transgenic era). A total of 431 rainfed corn fertilizer N rate response trials were conducted in 31 Ohio counties over 45 years. From 1976 to 2021, AONR did not significantly increase, while YAONR increased by 96.1 kg ha−1 year−1, a 52% increase over 45 years. The YAONR significantly increased by 95 kg ha−1 year−1 for CC and 68 kg ha−1 year−1 for SC. Unfertilized (0 kg N ha−1) corn yield gains were similar to annual yield gain at AONR, and the agronomic nitrogen-use efficiency (ANUE) greatly improved over 45 years, with an additional 4.6 kg of grain per kg of N for corn grown in 2021 compared to 1976. Overall, our study demonstrated that historical yield gains were largely due to improved corn hybrid ANUE and management rather than changes in N fertilizer requirements.
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spelling CGSpace1746042025-11-12T04:57:07Z Historical trends in the nitrogen requirement of corn over 45 years in Ohio Fulford, Anthony M. Labarge, Gregory Lindsey, Alexander Watters, Harold Ortez, Osler Culman, Steven W. agronomic characters crop management crop yield fertilizer application nitrogen use efficiency hybrids transgenic plants field experimentation rainfed farming statistical analysis sustainable agriculture technology adoption The average annual corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield in Ohio has increased since the 1970s, yet the respective roles of corn hybrids and optimal nitrogen (N) fertilization in contributing to this historical trend remain unclear. This study evaluated trends in the agronomically optimal nitrogen rate (AONR) and corn grain yield at agronomically optimal nitrogen rate (YAONR) when corn followed corn (CC) or soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (SC) in the crop rotation within two eras of corn hybrid development. The two eras were associated with different technological development phases, including 1976–1995 (pre-transgenic era) and 1996–2021 (transgenic era). A total of 431 rainfed corn fertilizer N rate response trials were conducted in 31 Ohio counties over 45 years. From 1976 to 2021, AONR did not significantly increase, while YAONR increased by 96.1 kg ha−1 year−1, a 52% increase over 45 years. The YAONR significantly increased by 95 kg ha−1 year−1 for CC and 68 kg ha−1 year−1 for SC. Unfertilized (0 kg N ha−1) corn yield gains were similar to annual yield gain at AONR, and the agronomic nitrogen-use efficiency (ANUE) greatly improved over 45 years, with an additional 4.6 kg of grain per kg of N for corn grown in 2021 compared to 1976. Overall, our study demonstrated that historical yield gains were largely due to improved corn hybrid ANUE and management rather than changes in N fertilizer requirements. 2025-03 2025-05-15T01:57:41Z 2025-05-15T01:57:41Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/174604 en Open Access application/pdf Wiley Fulford, A. M., Labarge, G., Lindsey, A., Watters, H., Ortez, O., & Culman, S. W. (2025). Historical trends in the nitrogen requirement of corn over 45 years in Ohio. Agronomy Journal, 117, e70049. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70049
spellingShingle agronomic characters
crop management
crop yield
fertilizer application
nitrogen use efficiency
hybrids
transgenic plants
field experimentation
rainfed farming
statistical analysis
sustainable agriculture
technology adoption
Fulford, Anthony M.
Labarge, Gregory
Lindsey, Alexander
Watters, Harold
Ortez, Osler
Culman, Steven W.
Historical trends in the nitrogen requirement of corn over 45 years in Ohio
title Historical trends in the nitrogen requirement of corn over 45 years in Ohio
title_full Historical trends in the nitrogen requirement of corn over 45 years in Ohio
title_fullStr Historical trends in the nitrogen requirement of corn over 45 years in Ohio
title_full_unstemmed Historical trends in the nitrogen requirement of corn over 45 years in Ohio
title_short Historical trends in the nitrogen requirement of corn over 45 years in Ohio
title_sort historical trends in the nitrogen requirement of corn over 45 years in ohio
topic agronomic characters
crop management
crop yield
fertilizer application
nitrogen use efficiency
hybrids
transgenic plants
field experimentation
rainfed farming
statistical analysis
sustainable agriculture
technology adoption
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/174604
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