Refertilizing corn with nitrogen to generate a higher yield is possible, but this is linked to the climate and conditions of each soil. In this sense, specialists from the National Institute of Agricultural Technology They offer recommendations to obtain the best results.
In this sense, INTA indicates that “Corn is one of the most important crops in Argentina. This cereal, adapted to various climatic and edaphic conditions, is grown in a wide swath of the territory. Corn planting has increased in recent decades thanks to the adoption of technologies and management practices that optimize its production. In this context, nitrogen refertilization becomes an essential tool to maximize yields, especially in campaigns with high climatic variability.”
Corn and nitrogen: refertilize
For his part, Fernando Salvagiotti, researcher at INTA Oliveros, Santa Fe, explained “that corn is an essential component as part of the rotations in agricultural systems in Argentina. The corn surface has increased in recent years and the availability of nitrogen is one of the determining factors of the production gaps in the plots.”
Refertilize corn with nitrogen
“To reduce this gap it is important to know not only the availability of nitrogen in the soil but also the production potential of each lot, defined by the availability of water that the crop may have,” added the specialist.
In this way, he continued: “Adjusting nitrogen fertilization in more advanced stages of the crop is a strategy that will help the most efficient use of resources and inputs, making the adjustment based on performance. “expected that will vary according to the expected occurrence of rains in order to complement the nitrogen dose defined for sowing.”
On the other hand, Gustavo Ferraris, specialist in soil fertility, crop nutrition and precision agriculture at INTA Pergamino, Buenos Aires, stated that this technique, which “generally is carried out in early stagesin a state between 4 to 6 expanded leaves, although it can extend to more advanced vegetative phases, depending on climatic conditions and the availability of water in the soil.
“Normally, refertilization doses range between 50 and 100 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare. Furthermore, it is usually added sulfur in a proportion of 1 to 8 with respect to nitrogen to generate positive interactions between nutrients,” Ferraris explained.
Corn and the climate
Furthermore, he also stressed the importance of using strips saturated with nitrogen, which help diagnose the need to refertilize by comparing the color of the lot with the area treated. According to Ferraris, a nitrogen sufficiency index of less than 0.95 indicates that it is possible to obtain a performance improvement of more than 10% through refertilization.
“Climate is key in the crop’s response to nitrogen,” he revealed, and completed: “In wet years, the yield is higher and, therefore, the demand for nitrogen increases, while, in dry seasons, the minimum response of this nutrient could be compromised.”
In reference to La Niña, which brings droughts, Ferraris stressed: “The better the water condition, the higher the recommended fertilization dose.”
“To maximize yields, producers are recommended to base their decisions on evidence and adjust fertilization practices according to environmental conditions,” INTA recommends.
“Factors such as water storage in the soil and density adjustment are essential. Furthermore, the use of application technologies, such as the choice of the nitrogen source, the timing and location of the fertilizer, contribute to greater efficiency in absorption,” concluded Ferraris.
