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Article
Agronomic Comparison of Anhydrous Ammonia Applied with a High Speed-Low Draft Opener and Conventional Knife Injection in Corn
Agronomy Journal
  • Krishna P. Woli, Iowa State University
  • Fabián G. Fernández, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • John E. Sawyer, Iowa State University
  • Joshua D. Stamper, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
  • David B. Mengel, Kansas State University
  • Daniel W.. Barker, Iowa State University
  • Mark H. Hanna, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Accepted Manuscript
Publication Date
2-28-2014
DOI
10.2134/agronj13.0441
Abstract

Anhydrous ammonia (AA) is an important N fertilizer in the U.S., and with large farming operations rapid application is needed. This study evaluated the impact of AA application timing and N rates when applied with a high speed low draft (HSLD) or a conventional till knife (CTKI) on corn (Zea Mays L.) production in no-tillage fields. The study was conducted at sites located in Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas from 2007 to 2009. The experimental design was a split-plot factorial arrangement of application method, timing (fall; spring preplant, SP; and sidedress, SD), and five N rates. Fall AA application was least efficient (mean 55 kg N ha–1 higher optimum N and 2% lower grain yield, GY), with SP and SD equivalent. The HSLD was comparable to the CTKI with most applications, except when high N rates (180 and 225 kg N ha-1) were applied SP. For these treatments AA injury reduced plant population (PP), early season growth, canopy NDVI, and GY. Seedling injury did not occur with any N rate or timing with the CTKI. Shallow AA placement at high speed with the HSLD can provide a viable alternative to traditional deeper knife injection when conditions are suitable for AA application and positioning avoids corn seedling injury. Anhydrous ammonia application with the HSLD, however, should be avoided where high SP AA rates may be placed directly under future corn rows.

Comments

This is a manuscript of an article from Agronomy Journal 106 (2014): 881, doi: 10.2134/agronj13.0441. Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
American Society of Agronomy, Inc.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Krishna P. Woli, Fabián G. Fernández, John E. Sawyer, Joshua D. Stamper, et al.. "Agronomic Comparison of Anhydrous Ammonia Applied with a High Speed-Low Draft Opener and Conventional Knife Injection in Corn" Agronomy Journal Vol. 106 Iss. 3 (2014) p. 881 - 892
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mark_hanna/197/