Evaluation of Nitrogen Application on Corn under Different Soil Textures and Tillage Systems.

The soil texture can influence the nitrogen efficiency in corn. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of nitrogen application on corn (Zea mays L.) planted under different soil textures and tillage systems. The research project was initiated with planting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cover crop in the fall of 2006 at Clemson University, Edisto Research and Education Center near Blackville, SC. A commercially available soil electric conductivity (EC) measurement system (Veris Technologies 3100) was used to identify variations in soil texture across the fields prior to planting corn and create soil zone maps using Global Positioning and Geographical Information Systems. Corn was planted across four different soil zones and under three tillage systems (no-till, conventional, and strip-till), two methods of N application (all at planting and split application), and five N rates (0, 45, 90, 134, and 179 kg N ha^-1). Generally, the efficiency of nitrogen application in corn depends on soil texture. Therefore, there is a need to determine the optimum nitrogen application methods and rates for corn based on soil texture.