On-Farm Nitrogen Rate Trials done in cooperation with farmers and ag retailers continue to be the best source of nitrogen response data for use in confirming or modifying rate recommendations for the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) system. The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy requests that farmers use the right rate to protect against nutrient losses from the over application of nitrogen.

Nitrogen rate results from 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 are displayed here, illustrating the response to various N fertilizer rates in corn following soybean and corn following corn with replicated, field scale trials over a diversity of soil types and weather conditions. The treatments also compare fall applied, spring applied and split applied N rates.

These rate trials were performed in a partnership between the University of Illinois Dept of Crop Sciences (Dr. Emerson Nafziger) and the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association and are funded by the Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council (NREC). Please contact IFCA at 309.827.2774 for more information on the N Rate Trial program. You may also email questions to Dr. Nafziger at ednaf@illinois.edu.