Stalk Nitrate Test Results for New York Corn Fields from 2010 through 2020

Quirine Ketterings1, Sanjay Gami1, Greg Godwin1, Karl Czymmek1,2, and Mike Reuter3
Cornell University Nutrient Management Spear Program1, PRO-DAIRY2, and Dairy One3

Introduction

The corn stalk nitrate test (CSNT) is an end-of-season evaluation tool for N management for corn fields in the 2nd year or more that allows for identification of situations where more N was available during the growing season than the crop needed. Research shows that the crop had more N than needed when CSNT results exceed 2000 pm. Results can vary from year to year but where CSNT values exceed 3000 ppm for two or more years, it is highly likely that N management changes can be made without impacting yield.

Findings 2010-2020

In 2020, 48% of all tested fields had CSNT-N greater than 2000 ppm, while 34% were over 3000 ppm and 19% exceeded 5000 ppm (Table 1). In contrast, 17% of the 2020 samples were low in CSNT-N. The percentage of samples testing excessive in CSNT-N was most correlated with the precipitation in May-June with droughts in those months translating to a greater percentage of fields testing excessive. Because crop and manure management history, soil type and growing conditions all impact CSNT results, conclusions about future N management should take into account the events of the growing season. This includes weed and disease pressure, lack of moisture in the root zone in drought years, lack of oxygen in the root zone due to excessive rain in wet years, and any other stress factor that can impact crop growth and N status.

Distribution of corn stalk nitrate test results (low, marginal, excess) for New York (NY) corn fields sampled in 2010-2020Note: Data prior to 2013 reflect corn stalk nitrate test submissions to NMSP only; 2013, 2014, and 2017-2020 data include results from NMSP and Dairy One; 2015-2016 includes samples from NMSP, Dairy One, and CNAL. Yield data are from the USDA – National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall data were from CLIMOD 2 obtained from the Northeast Regional Climate Center.

Within-field spatial variability can be considerable in New York, requiring (1) high density sampling (equivalent of 1 stalk per acre at a minimum) for accurate assessment of whole fields, or (2) targeted sampling based on yield zones, elevations, or soil management units. The 2018 expansion of adaptive management options for nutrient management now includes targeted CSNT sampling as a result of findings that targeted sampling generates more meaningful information while reducing the time and labor investment into sampling. Two years of CSNT data are recommended before making any management changes unless CSNT’s exceed 5000 ppm, in which case one year of data is sufficient.

Graphs of CNST values over the study years
Figure 1: In drought years more samples test excessive in CSNT-N while fewer test low or marginal. The last 11 years include four drought years (2012, 2016, 2018, and 2020), three wet years (2011, 2013, and 2017), and four years labelled normal (2010, 2014, 2015, 2019) determined by May-June rainfall (less than 7.5 inches in drought years, 10 or more inches in wet years).

Relevant References

Acknowledgments

Cornell, NMSP, Pro-Dairy logosWe thank the many farmers and farm consultants that sampled their fields for CSNT. For questions about these results contact Quirine M. Ketterings at 607-255-3061 or qmk2@cornell.edu, and/or visit the Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program website at: http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu/.

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