Field evaluation of dicyandiamide rates and enhanced efficiency fertilizers to increase corn production and reduce nitrogen loss
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Meeting name
Sponsors
Date
Journal Title
Format
Thesis
Subject
Abstract
[EMBARGOED UNTIL 08/01/2026] There is a need for nitrogen management technology that can reduce environmental N loss mechanisms and to increase nitrogen-use efficiency. While many different technologies exist, it's important that farmers understand how these different products work and for them to see relevant research results in a similar environment. The primary objective was to determine an optimal DCD rate for increasing corn production and reducing N loss and then comparing that rate to commercially available EEFs for farmers in Northeast Missouri on claypan soils. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with 5 N rates (0, 67, 135, 200, 270 kg ha-1), 5 DCD rates (0, 4, 7.5, 10, 14 g kg-1 formulated with urea), and two EEFs (SuperU and ESN). Optimal DCD rates, based on yield, varied between years and N rates with an overall optimal DCD rate of 8.9 g kg-1. In 2024, 10 g DCD kg-1 and ESN significantly increased (P=0.05) grain yield compared to non-treated urea, 7.5 g DCD kg-1 and SuperU. All DCD rates had significantly lower cumulative (P=0.0878) and yield scaled N2O emissions (P=0.0250) compared to non-treated urea when combined over years. The minimum reduction in N2O emissions from non-treated urea was 65 percent indicating the efficacy of the DCD and EEFs for reducing N2O emissions. At 2, 4, and 6 WAT, 14 g DCD kg-1 had a higher NH4-N to NO3-N ratio than non-treated urea. All DCD rates reduced soil solution nitrate-N concentrations 38 percent compared to non-treated urea. Selected DCD rates and EEFs all had significantly lower nitrate-N content in the soil solution than non-treated urea in 2024 with 7.5 g DCD kg-1 having the highest reduction (51 percent). DCD rates and EEFs were both effective at reducing N loss in this study; however, future economic work should be done to see how these different technologies affect farmer's return on investment.
Table of Contents
PubMed ID
Degree
M.S.