Raised Beds, Tile Drainage, and Nitrogen Fertilizer Management on Corn Yield in Eastern North Dakota

Abstract

Surface drainage, tillage, and different nitrogen fertilizer rates and management practices can influence corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of subsurface drainage, raised bed tillage, and nitrogen fertilizer treatments (rates and managements practices) on corn grain yield in the Red River Valley. The effect of subsurface drainage was evaluated at one location in 2012 and 2013. The effect of raised bed tillage and nitrogen fertilizer treatments were evaluated at three and four locations in 2012 and 2013. The drainage x tillage interaction was significant for yield in 2012. Averaged over all environments, conventional tillage had significantly greater corn stand and yield than raised beds. The significance difference in yield between the N fertilizer management practices and rates varied between years. There were no NH4+ and total N soil test differences between urea alone, nitrapyrin, and PCU treatments at V6 stage.