Assessing pre‐plant nitrogen sources and waterlogging on corn growth and yield
Data files
Sep 03, 2025 version files 119.26 KB
-
Novais_et_al_2025_N_sources_published.xlsx
98.02 KB
-
README.md
21.24 KB
Abstract
Flooding and waterlogging from strong storms can negatively affect corn (Zea mays L.) growth and yield. Ensuring adequate nitrogen (N) supply after waterlogging is key to optimizing corn yield, though limited evaluations of enhanced efficiency fertilizers have been conducted in conjunction with waterlogging conditions. The objective was to quantify how different pre‐plant incorporated N sources and post‐emergence waterlogging affect corn N uptake, yield, and efficiency of applied N. A split‐plot randomized complete block design was conducted in two locations from 2021–2023. Waterlogging regimes (0 or 4 days) were implemented by applying water at the V4–V6 growth stage. Pre‐plant incorporated N source was the subplot factor consisting of a non‐fertilized control or 200 lbs N acre−1 applied as urea (U; 46–0–0) or urea‐ammonium nitrate (UAN; 28–0–0) alone or combined with either nitrapyrin or N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), and polymer‐coated urea (PCU, 44–0–0). The optimum ear leaf N concentration at R1 (2.75%–3.50%) was only achieved with U and PCU when waterlogging occurred. Waterlogging reduced grain yield by 9% to 25%, while N source (across waterlogging treatments) increased grain yield over the non‐fertilized treatment by 14% to 45% or 236% to 343%, depending on location. Grain yield was optimized with U, PCU, and U with nitrapyrin regardless of waterlogging conditions. Dry fertilizer sources also resulted in higher partial factor productivity compared to UAN treatments. These results suggest that dry N sources of U, PCU, or U with nitrapyrin should be considered in regions prone to waterlogging to optimize corn grain yield.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.5x69p8dhw
Description of the data and file structure
This dataset contains measured values from a study conducted in Ohio to assess how pre-plant nitrogen sources affected corn growth and yield in the presence or absence of waterlogging. Data includes soil measurements during flooding and corn growth and yield parameters. Blank or empty cells within a column indicate that no data were available or collected for the given experimental unit. Variables and treatment designations as defined for this project are presented below, with the first tab of the data file also containing sheet-specific definitions of each column.
Files and variables
File: Novais_et_al_2025_N_sources_published.xlsx
| Article DOI | https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.70071 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Wanderson Novais |
| Christine D. Sprunger | |
| Meredith Mann | |
| Laura E. Lindsey | |
| Osler A. Ortez | |
| Alexander J. Lindsey | |
| Title | Assessing pre-plant nitrogen sources and waterlogging on corn growth and yield |
| Journal | Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management |
| Experiment | Nitrogen sources and waterlogging |
| Site Location | Custar, Ohio (NWARS); Wooster, Ohio (OARDC) |
| Blank or Empty Cells | Blank cells indicate no data was available or collected for the given column for that specific experimental unit. |
| Variables named in dataset: | Description: |
| Replication | Random factor. Replication of the treatments (rep) |
| Plot | Experimental unit |
| Year | Year when the experiment was established. 2021, 2022, and 2023. |
| Waterlogging duration (WD) | Fixed factor. 0-day = no flooding applied; 4-days = 4 days of waterlogging. |
| Nitrogen Source (N source) | Fixed factor; Unfertilized = Unfertilized control (unfertilized); U= plain urea (46N-0P-0K); U + nitrapyrin = U combined with a nitrification inhibitor (5.65 mL Instinct II kg-1 U, Corteva AgriSciences); U + NBPT = urease inhibitor (U + N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT); 2.10 mL N-save kg-1 U, PCT Sunrise); UAN= liquid plain urea ammonium nitrate (28N-0P-0K); UAN + nitrapyrin = U combined with a nitrification inhibitor (5.65 mL Instinct II kg-1 U, Corteva AgriSciences); UAN + NBPT = urease inhibitor (U + N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT); 2.10 mL N-save kg-1 U, PCT Sunrise); PCU = polymer-coated urea (PCU, 44N-0P-0K) (ESN smart nitrogen, Nutrien). |
| Days after waterlogging initiation (DAWI) | Calendar date on which a specific metric was collected after waterlogging treatments were initiated. An integer between 0 and 21. |
| Volumetric Water Content (VWC) | Volumetric water content in m3 m-3 using a soil temperature and moisture sensor (CS655, Campbell Scientific, Logan, UT) |
| Soil Temperature | Soil temperature measured in ºC using a soil temperature and moisture sensor (CS655, Campbell Scientific, Logan, UT) |
| Change in Population | Change in population pre-(standpre_ha) and post-waterlogging (standpost_ha); units of plants ha-1. |
| Ear leaf N | Ear leaf N (earleafN) concentration measured at R1 growth stage; units of g kg-1. |
| Ear leaf K | Ear leaf K concentration measured at R1 growth stage; units of g kg-1. |
| Grain yield | Harvested grain yield from the center two rows converted to kg ha-1 |
| 100-kernel weight | 100-kernel weight from the harvested grain yield from the center two rows; units of grams. |
| Partial Factor of Productivity (PFP) | Partial factor of productivity (PFP) in kg kg-1 used to measure nutrient use efficiency (NUE). |
