Assessment of Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors and Timing Interactions on Nitrate Leaching in Corn (Zea mays L.)
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The goal of this research was to identify best management practices to reduce nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) leaching in a continuous corn system by conducting a field study from November 2015 to May 2017. Fertilizer treatments consisted of urea vs. urea+NUI applied at planting, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) vs. UAN+NUI applied at sidedress and a combination of these practices: urea+NUI at planting vs. UAN at sidedress. NO3-N leaching was calculated as the product of NO3-N concentration sampled at 80 cm depth using porous ceramic cup water samplers and drainage estimated using a soil water budget approach. The results indicated that in 2015-2016, delaying fertilization to sidedress and applying UAN significantly reduced NO3-N concentration and leaching compared to urea+NUI at planting. Results indicate that urea+NUI is not likely to significantly reduce NO3-N leaching. Therefore, it is recommended that the best management practice to reduce NO¬3-N leaching is to apply UAN at sidedress.