Harnessing a Model-Based Tool to Improve Nitrogen Management for Maize Production: Summarizing 6 Years of Experience with Adapt-N.

Adapt-N is a nitrogen (N) recommendation tool developed at Cornell University designed to dynamically account for the impact of weather, soil hydrology, biogeochemical processes, crop growth, and management practices on crop available N in maize (Zea mays, L.) production systems. The tool has been improved and validated using field data and updates to the simulated crop and soil processes. The tool includes options for soil health management practices such as crop rotations, cover crops, conservation tillage practices, and manure applications, while providing growers with estimates of optimum timing and rate of N fertilizer applications. Investigations based on multi-rate trials, side-by-side trials, and synthetic model simulations have concluded that Adapt-N can provide more precise N rates than static recommendation methods. These dynamic, site-specific recommendations were found to reduce environmental losses without affecting yield, indicating that incorporation of Adapt-N into the 4Rs framework could be beneficial for soil health, environmental sustainability, and grower profits.