Weather extremes, ranging from droughts to floods, have an impact on crop nutrient cycling. The nitrogen cycle is just one of many crop cycles environment elements can affect. Nitrogen is one of the 16 essential elements necessary for plant growth and development. Along with phosphorus and potassium, nitrogen is one of the three primary macronutrients. The macronutrients are commonly available to plants through fertilizer applications. Due to nitrogen’s mobility within plants and the soil, Beck’s Practical Farm Research (PFR)® team has continued to invest in corn plot research dedicated to uncovering the most profitable nitrogen management strategies.

Nitrogen Basics

The fundamentals of understanding the nitrogen cycle include the steps of nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification. Nitrogen fixation leads to nitrification when nitrifying bacteria can convert nitrogen gas (N2) to ammonia (NH4+), then the ammonia is converted to nitrite (NO2-) to nitrate (NO3-).

Being mindful of when nitrogen loss can occur is vital to helping mitigate volatilization, denitrification, runoff/erosion, and leaching. These losses can have negative consequences on farm return on investment (ROI) and to nature. Rainfall, heat, soil characteristics, and other abiotic and biotic factors can also influence this nutrient cycle.

While it's essential to fully understand the nitrogen cycle, it's equally important to understand nitrogen uptake in corn. Knowing which corn growth stages have greater nitrogen uptake peaks can help you identify what timing you should aim for when making nitrogen fertilizer applications to the crop.

Regarding environmental stewardship of nitrogen fertilizer applications, a farmer should acknowledge the 4Rs of ‘4R Nutrient Stewardship.’ Each of these elements of fertilizer sustainability can create a balanced cropping system surrounding environmental, economic, and social impacts of nutrient applications.

PFR Proven™ Nitrogen Strategy on Corn

Considering both the nitrogen cycle and the nitrogen uptake curve on corn, Beck's PFR team has put split-applied nitrogen applications to the test. Since most corn hybrids will absorb more than 60% of their total nitrogen needs prior to tassel time (VT growth stage), applying doses of nitrogen fertilizer before that growth stage makes physiological sense. This means you will be applying what the corn plant needs when it wants it.

Beck's four-year, multi-location PFR data on corn has shown up to a +$72.36 ROI when making a split application of nitrogen at planting, followed by a sidedress application at V3.

For additional sidedress product recommendations and tips, check out the Beck's PFR Proven-Sidedress’ page here.

Benefits of Split Nitrogen Applications and Sidedressing Nitrogen Early

Additional Considerations

Nitrogen stabilizers can lessen environmental nitrogen loss. These products are meant to slow nitrification or reduce denitrification processes in the nitrogen cycle. Weather conditions can alter the effectiveness of a nitrogen stabilizer once the product has been applied. Be sure to check federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines for any nitrogen management rules. Most state land-grant extension services have nitrogen recommendation tools to achieve specific yield goals. From those baselines, be sure to check in with your local Beck’s Hybrids sales representative or agronomist for further nitrogen recommendation plans on maximized profitability!

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