<p dir="ltr">Previous research has documented rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop (RCC) benefits on weed suppression, erosion control, and water quality. However, RCC adoption is often low prior to corn (Zea mays L.) due to observed yield losses caused by a RCC. Therefore, further research is required to understand and develop corn agronomic, planting equipment, and N fertilizer timing recommendations following a RCC to minimize crop stress and yield losses. The objective of this research was to evaluate corn performance and yield in response to different N fertilizer application timings and after-market closing wheel types following a RCC using multiple field-scale environments. Treatments within the N timing study included three N fertilizer timings (2x2 starter + V5 sidedress, 2x2 + V10, and 2x2 + V5 + V10) and two RCC treatments (RCC and no RCC). Treatments within the closing wheel study included three closing wheel types: Standard Rubber (SR), Cruiser Extreme (CE), and Cupped Razor (MCR), and two RCC treatments (RCC and no RCC. Both studies were conducted at field-scale using commercial equipment at four locations in Indiana in 2022 and 2023. In the N timing study a significant (P<0.1) RCC x N timing interaction was observed in 5 of 6 site-years, indicating optimum N fertilizer timing differs with the presence of a RCC. Without the inclusion of a RCC, the use of a 5x5 + V10 or 5x5 + V5 + V10 N application decreased yield in 4 of 6 and 0 of 6 site-years, respectively when compared to a 5x5 + V5 N application. Whereas, with a RCC the use of a 5x5 + V10 or 5x5 + V5 + V10 N decreased yield in 6 of 6 and 2 of 6 site-years, respectively when compared to a 5x5 + V5 N application. In the closing wheel study, aftermarket closing wheels showed no difference in daily emergence timing and/or final plant stand in no-till conditions without a RCC. However, in RCC treatments, the CE improved total percent corn emergence [7 – 12 days after planting (DAP)] by 6 and 15% at 2 of 3 site-years. Whereas, the MCR improved percent corn emergence (7-12 DAP) by 8% in 1 of 3 site-years. Furthermore, corn grain yield was increased by 5-8 bu ac-1 at 2 of 3 site-years with CE when following a RCC and by 7 bu ac-1 at 1 of 3 site-years with MCR when following a RCC. Overall, results suggest farmers can combine the use of after-market closing wheels designed for high residue/RCC systems and optimum N fertilizer application timing (5x5 + V5 sidedress) to improve corn emergence, reduce N stress, and improve yield following a RCC.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:purdue.edu/oai:figshare.com:article/25675815 |
| Date | 25 April 2024 |
| Creators | Riley J Seavers (18430155), Daniel Quinn (18430316) |
| Source Sets | Purdue University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis |
| Rights | CC BY 4.0 |
| Relation | https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/_b_Corn_Response_to_Nitrogen_Fertilizer_Application_Timings_and_After-Market_Planter_Equipment_in_a_Rye_Cover_Crop_System_b_/25675815 |
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