96-25 Nitrapyrin Effects On Maize N Uptake Following Pre-Plant and Side-Dress UAN.



Monday, October 17, 2011
Henry Gonzalez Convention Center, Hall C, Street Level

Juan Burzaco and Tony Vyn, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Nitrogen fertilizer is widely applied in maize production in the USA, yet usually less than 50% of the N-applied is recovered by the crop, with the remainder being subject to the possibility of losses. The use of nitrification inhibitors to delay the transformation of NH4 to NO3 could potentially reduce the amount of N lost through leaching, thus keeping more of the applied N available for plant uptake. A nitrification inhibitor, a nitrapyrin (commercialized as InstinctTM) optimized for its use with liquid fertilizers and manure, was applied with UAN fertilizer (28% N). The objectives were to assess if the use of InstinctTM (i) positively impacts maize N uptake (ii) is associated with higher maize yields. To accomplish these objectives a field experiment including three N rates (0, 90 and 180 kg hectare-1), two timings (pre-plant and side-dress) and with or without InstinctTM, was conducted on a dark prairie soil at Purdue University Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) (40°28'07'' N, 87°00'25'' W) near West Lafayette, Indiana. The use of InstinctTM was associated with a higher N-uptake at maize physiological maturity when 180 kg of N hectare-1 were applied, being this effect statistically significant. Mean yields were significantly higher (LSD 5%) when InstinctTM was used in conjunction with UAN at a rate of 90 kg of N.hectare-1  pre-plant applied. The use of InstinctTM in conjunction with UAN showed potential to increase N-uptake and maize yields, though further experimentation would be needed for a robust recommendation of this management practice.
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