Fertilizer Bands Affect Early Growth of Corn

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) applied in bands across cornfields often induces differences in plant height, leaf color, and growth stage of corn (Zea mays L.). Especially during wet springs, plants growing immediately over the bands are often noticeably taller and greener for a short period. Plants growing between the bands experience N deficiency until their roots reach the bands. The impacts of such short periods of N deficiency on plant early growth have received little attention. We studied the effects of tracks left by fertilizer applicator on corn growth stage, plant height, and leaf chlorophyll meter readings (CMRs) in a field where conditions seemed favorable for a fertilizer-induced advancement in growth stage. Measurements showed that the reduced plant height or leaf color attributable to a temporary N deficiency was mainly associated with the delay of growth stages and might have little influence on final grain yield.