Presidedress soil nitrogen test for corn in Virginia

Abstract

The presidedress soil nitrate test (PSNT) and the presidedress tissue nitrogen test (PTNT) have been developed to assess residual soil nitrogen (N) sufficiency for corn (Zea mays L.) in the humid eastern U.S. We conducted field studies at 47 sites during 1990 and 1991 to evaluate the use of the PSNT and PTNT for corn in Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Appalachian Ridge and Valley regions of Virginia. Seven rates of fertilizer N (0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, and 270 kg/ha) were applied at corn height of 0.40 to 0.50 m and replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Whole corn plants and soil to a depth of 0.30 m were sampled when corn height was 0.15 to 0.30 m to estimate available soil N prior to the application of fertilizer N treatments. Corn grain yield response to fertilizer N was used to assess residual soil N availability. Nitrogen concentration of whole corn plants at 0.15 to 0.30 m height was not an accurate indicator of plant‐available soil N. Corn yields were maximized without sidedress N at the 19 sites where soil NO3‐N was at least 18 mg‐kg‐1 and at the 17 sites where soil (NO3+NH4)‐N was at least 22 mg‐kg‐1. The PSNT predicted corn N sufficiency regardless of soil physiographic region or surface texture; however, the critical values for NO3‐N and (NO3+NH4)‐N were 3 to 5 mg‐kg‐1 lower than those established in Pennsylvania and Maryland, where cooler soil temperatures may permit greater residence time of inorganic N.