Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T20:09:06.778Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Spatial variation in Nitrogen requirements of cereals, and their interpretation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2017

D. R. Kindred ,
R. Sylvester-Bradley ,
A. E. Milne ,
B. Marchant ,
D. Hatley ,
S. L. Kendall ,
S. Clarke ,
K. Storer  and
P. M. Berry
D. R. Kindred*
Affiliation:
ADAS Boxworth, Cambridge, CB23 4NNUK
R. Sylvester-Bradley
Affiliation:
ADAS Boxworth, Cambridge, CB23 4NNUK
A. E. Milne
Affiliation:
Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQUK
B. Marchant
Affiliation:
British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire NG12 5GG, UK
D. Hatley
Affiliation:
ADAS Terrington, Rhoon Road, Terrington St Clement, King’s Lynn PE34 4HZUK
S. L. Kendall
Affiliation:
ADAS Gleadthorpe, Meden Vale, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG20 9PDUK
S. Clarke
Affiliation:
ADAS Gleadthorpe, Meden Vale, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG20 9PDUK
K. Storer
Affiliation:
ADAS High Mowthorpe, Duggleby, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8BPUK
P. M. Berry
Affiliation:
ADAS High Mowthorpe, Duggleby, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8BPUK
*
†E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

A range of precision farming technologies are used commercially for variable rate applications of nitrogen (N) for cereals, yet these usually adjust N rates from a pre-set value, rather than predicting economically optimal N requirements on an absolute basis. This paper reports chessboard experiments set up to examine variation in N requirements, and to develop and test systems for its prediction, and to assess its predictability. Results showed very substantial variability in fertiliser N requirements within fields, typically >150 kg ha−1, and large variation in optimal yields, typically >2 t ha−1. Despite this, calculated increases in yield and gross margin with N requirements perfectly matched across fields were surprisingly modest (compared to the uniform average rate). Implications are discussed, including the causes of the large remaining variation in grain yield, after N limitations were removed.

Keywords

WheatFertiliserSpectral ReflectanceVariable applicationSpatial Experiment
Type
Precision Nitrogen
Information
Advances in Animal Biosciences , Volume 8 , Special Issue 2: Papers presented at the 11th European Conference on Precision Agriculture (ECPA 2017), John McIntyre Centre, Edinburgh, UK, July 16–20 2017 , July 2017 , pp. 303 - 307
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Defra 2010. The Fertiliser Manual (RB209), 8th edition. The Stationery Office, London.Google Scholar
Kindred, D, Knight, S, Berry, P, Sylvester-Bradley, R, Hatley, D, Morris, N, Hoad, S and White, C 2012. Establishing best practice for estimation of Soil N Supply. HGCA Research Report No. 490.Google Scholar
Kindred, DR, Milne, AE, Webster, R, Marchant, BP and Sylvester-Bradley, R 2015. Exploring the spatial variation in the fertilizer-nitrogen requirement of wheat within fields. Journal of Agricultural Science 153, 25–41.Google Scholar
Kindred, D, Sylvester-Bradley, R, Milne, A, Marchant, BP and Storer, K 2016a. Auto-mating nitrogen fertiliser management for cereals (Auto-N). AHDB Research Report No 561.Google Scholar
Kindred, D, Sylvester-Bradley, R, Clarke, S, Roques, S, Smillie, I and Berry, P 2016b. Agronōmics – an arena for synergy between the science and practice of crop production. Paper presented at the 12th European IFSA Symposium at Harper Adams University. 12. p.Google Scholar
Lark, RM and Wheeler, HC 2003. A method to investigate within-field variation of the response of combinable crops to an input. Agronomy Journal 95, 1093–1104.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mamo, M, Malzer, GL, Mulla, DJ, Huggins, DR and Strock, J 2003. Spatial and temporal variation in economically optimum nitrogen rate for corn. Agronomy Journal 95, 958–964.Google Scholar
McGrath, SP, Stobart, R, Blake-Kalff, M and Zhao, F 2013. Current status of soils and responsiveness of wheat to micronutrient applications. HGCA Project Report No 518.Google Scholar
Milne, A, Webster, R, Ginsburg, D and Kindred, D 2011. Spatial multivariate classification of an arable field into compact management zones based on past crop yields. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 80, 17–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pringle, MJ, McBratney, AB and Cook, SE 2004. Field-scale experiments for site-specific crop management. Part II: A geostatistical analysis. Precision Agriculture 5 (6), 625–645.Google Scholar
Sylvester-Bradley, R 2009. Nitrogen for winter wheat – management guidelines. AHDB, Stoneleigh. 19. p.Google Scholar
Sylvester-Bradley, R, Lord, E, Sparkes, DL, Scott, RK, Wiltshire, JJJ and Orson, J 1999. An analysis of the potential of precision farming in Northern Europe. Soil Use and Management 15, 1–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sylvester-Bradley, R, Berry, P, Blake, J, Kindred, D, Spink, J, Bingham, I, McVittie, J and Foulkes, J 2008. The Wheat Growth Guide, Spring 2008, 2nd Edition HGCA, London 30. p.Google Scholar
Sylvester-Bradley, R and Clarke, S 2009. Using grain N% as a signature for good N use. HGCA Project Report No 458, 61. p.Google Scholar
Sylvester-Bradley, R, Clarke, S, Hatley, D, Wiltshire, JJJ, Kindred, D and Wilson, J 2009. Detecting soil nitrogen supplies by canopy sensing: Proof of concept – Phase 2. In HGCA Research Report 460. London: HGCA.Google Scholar
Sylvester-Bradley, R, Kindred, D, Wynn, S, Thorman, R and Smith, KE 2014. Efficiencies of nitrogen fertilizers for winter cereal production, with implications for greenhouse gas intensities of grain. Journal of Agricultural Science 152, 3–22.Google Scholar
Sylvester-Bradley, R, Withers, P, Rollett, A, Talboys, P, Walker, R, Edwards, T, Payvandi, S, Heppell, J, Roose, T and Jones, D 2017. Improving the sustainability of phosphorus use in arable farming – ‘Targeted P’. AHDB Research Report (in press).Google Scholar
Whelan, BM, Taylor, JA and Hassall, JA 2009. Site-specific variation in wheat grain protein concentration and wheat grain yield measured on an Australian farm using harvester-mounted on-the-go sensors. Crop and Pasture Science 60 (9), 808–817.Google Scholar