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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]
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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 

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