Benefits of Nitrogen for Corn Production

Nitrogen (N) is a macronutrient for corn, as is phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). While N is one of the most common elements on earth, N deficiency may be the most common nutrient issue farmers experience. Nitrogen is a major component of amino acids, which function as the building blocks of proteins. The major role it plays in all plants is as a component of chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, that is essential for photosynthesis. Adequate N availability in corn allows the plant to reach its genetic yield potential.

In the soil, N exists in three forms, organic N, ammonium ions (NH₄⁺), and nitrate ions (NO₃^-). Organic N is contained in organic matter in the soil, in crop residues, and in the microbial community within the soil. While the organic N may make up most of the N in the soil, it is not available to plants until it is converted by microorganisms through a process called mineralization. Mineralization is the process where organic N is converted to ammonium or nitrate ions that can be taken up by the plant. During the growing season, ammonium is quickly converted to nitrate, which is referred to as nitrification. Nitrate is the main form of N taken up by the plant.

An estimate of N requirements for corn is one pound of N is needed for every bushel of grain produced per acre, so a 200-bushel corn crop would require 200 pounds of N per acre. (One kilogram of N is needed for every 56 kilograms of grain produced, so a 12.6 t/ha corn crop would require 223 kg/ha of N).¹ Online tools are available to calculate the N rate based on maximum economical return. In the Ontario Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator (www.gocorn.net) soil type, heat unit adjustment, crop rotation, fertilizer price, expected corn price, and application timing are used to determine the most economical N application rate. This tool is used only for guidance and seasonal adjustments can be made using various in-season tools.

Nitrogen Sources in Fertilizer

There are many forms of N fertilizer that are available, with urea being the most common. Urea has a high N content at 45% and is very rapidly converted to nitrate. Urea ammonium nitrate is also a common form utilized with an N content of 28 to 32%; this is a common form used in side-dressing applications as well as in starter fertilizers. Ammonium sulfate is a soluble form of N that provides both N (21%) and sulfur (24%). Anhydrous ammonia has the highest N content of any of the available products, with 82% N. Ammonium nitrate is a salt that contains 33% N and contains both ammonium and nitrate forms of N. Mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) contains 11% N, 52% P, and a small amount of sulfur, and is often used as a dry starter fertilizer. Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) is a dry formulation that contains 18% N and 46% P.²

The N content in manure can vary greatly. Poultry manure has the highest N content compared to that of other farm animal species. As the N content can vary in manure, it is wise to receive an analysis to determine the N content. Incorporating the manure into the soil immediately after application will provide the highest amount of N to the plant from the manure.

Residual N from Legumes in the Crop Rotation

Legumes contribute N to the soil, and therefore less N is needed for the following corn crop in the rotation. The N contribution is due to the soil nitrogen conditions relative to carbon, and decomposition of the legume crop residue.³ It is difficult to estimate a specific amount for the N credit from legume crops, as it is dependent on growing conditions and legume crop. For soybeans in Ontario, a credit of 30 pounds per acre (34 kg/ha) is the suggested adjustment when calculating nitrogen needs for the following crop.⁴ In Manitoba the adjustment is 10 pounds per acre (11 kg/ha) following soybeans, 25 pounds per acre (28 kg/ha) following field peas, and 30 to 90 pounds per acre (34 to 100 kg/ha) following alfalfa. The variability for alfalfa is based on timing of termination of the alfalfa stand as more nitrogen becomes available over time as the plant residue decomposes.⁵ Since there is quite a bit of variability in the N credit amount, consult with your provincial agriculture ministry for the credit amount for your area.

N Uptake in Corn

Nitrogen is taken up by the plant throughout its active growth. However, the uptake accelerates at the vegetative (V) 6 growth stage, at which time 25 to 30 pounds of N per acre (28 to 34 kg /ha) has been taken up by the plants. Through V6 to V12 about 25% of the total N is taken up by the plant (Figure 1). From V12 to the emergence of the tassel (VT), about 40% of the total N needed is taken up. The remaining N needed is taken up from tassel emergence until the reproductive growth stage 3 (R3).

Repercussions of N Shortage

The yellowing or chlorosis of the older leaves in a spear point appearance is an indication of a N deficiency (Figure 2). A shortage of N at emergence until V6 can result in a weaker root system, particularly after V4 as the plant makes the transition from seed resources to soil-based resources. During V6 to V18, when the stem is actively elongating, if adequate N is not available, vigour can be reduced, the root system can be stunted, and the uptake of other nutrients (particularly K) may be reduced. This can have negative consequences for photosynthetic efficiency. A decrease in photosynthetic activity can reduce kernel numbers and, if severe, result in kernel abortion.⁶ Kernel row number is determined by V8 and a N deficiency before this stage can reduce the amount of kernel rows. Additionally, N deficiency during grain fill can result in remobilization of N from the stalks and roots to the developing kernels. This can result in weak stalks leading to infection by stalk rot organisms.

Nitrogen is the most important plant nutrient in determining the final grain yield. A long-term research project conducted by Iowa State University demonstrated that corn yields will average only about 60 bu/acre (3.8 t/ha) in a continuous corn production system and only 115 bu/acre (7.2 t/ha) in a corn/soybean rotation without the addition of N. Providing adequate N increased yields to over 200 bu/acre (12.6 t/ha).⁷