The Nitrogen Rate Trials program has been coordinated and managed by Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association in partnership with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council. Since 2014, partner producers have implemented nitrogen rate trials in their fields and adhered to University of Illinois trial protocols. Between 2014-22, 470 nitrogen rate trials were performed throughout Illinois. Data provided by the nitrogen rate trials was used to help update the nitrogen rate calculator, or Maximum Return to Nitrogen calculator, at cnrc.agron.iastate.edu, by using a regional approach developed by university soil fertility specialists for the corn belt states for developing corn nitrogen rate guidelines.
Moving forward, a new program is being initiated to help improve N rate trial involvement and build confidence in the maximum return to nitrogen, or MRTN. The new protocol calls for the use of small nitrogen trials performed by producers with little expense. Only two N rates are used; one rate that is the normal rate for the field plus one rate significantly lower or higher. Plots are only ½ to 1 acre in size and allow for the use of normal equipment. The goal is to use weather and soil information, along with yield monitor data to “train” a nitrogen prediction model that may improve on the MRTN approach. This program involves the Precision Conservation Management program, member retailers, and growers throughout the state.
For more information see ifca.com/4R/Trials.
