Recent testimonials attribute improved corn grain quality to fertilizer recommendation protocols that follow nutrient balance philosophies, which usually recommend more nutrition than those following a nutrient sufficiency approach. This hypothesis was evaluated at two locations in both 2003 and 2004. At each location the sufficiency recommendation (control) treatment was complemented by four others: a) the additional potassium and/or phosphorus; b) the boron; c) the copper; or d) the zinc from the nutrient balance recommendation. The sixth treatment was the complete nutrient balance fertilizer recommendation. All fertilizers were applied by surface broadcasting to no-tillage soil within two weeks of planting. Composition of the ear leaf, taken at silking, was influenced by fertilization. Composition of the corn grain was less dramatically influenced. Grain yield was not affected by any treatment, for any site-year. Physical breakage of corn grain at combine harvest was significantly affected by site-year, and was greater with below or above optimal grain moisture at harvest. Physical breakage of corn grain at combine harvest was not significantly affected by fertilization. The cost of the entire nutrient balance recommendation, nor that cost associated with any of its individual nutrient elements, was recovered in grain yield or improved grain physical quality.