High Soil Test Phosphorus Effect on Corn Yield

Abstract

Phosphorus removal in crop harvest has increased as yields have increased. Fertilizer P use guidelines are based on calibrations often developed for much lower yield levels and may need recalibration. Corn yields may be greater with higher than recommended soil test P when springs are relatively wet and cool. Research was conducted across 12 irrigated and five rainfed siteyears in Nebraska with initial Bray-1 P = 11 mg kg-1 to evaluate P application strategies for yield and P uptake of continuous corn (Zea mays L.) with and without tillage. The fertilizer P treatments were maintained on the same plots and included: (i) no P applied (0P); (ii) P applied according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln deficiency correction recommendation (UNL-P); (iii) P applied to replace P removed in the previous harvest (Replace-P); (iv) Bray-1 P increased and maintained at 25 mg kg-1 (Bray-25); and (v) Bray-1 P increased and maintained at 35 mg kg-1 (Bray-35). Interactions of P practice with other factors were not significant indicating consistency of P practice effects across varied climate conditions near planting and plant emergence. Grain yield was 9.3% and 0.89 Mg ha-1 more with the P-applied treatments compared with 0P. Grain yield was 3.3% more due to the additional 5.9 kg ha-1 yr-1 P applied with Replace-P compared with UNL-P. Grain yield did not differ for Replace-P, Bray-25, and Bray-35. Plant P uptake was on average linearly increased by 0.27 kg kg-1 P applied. Fertilizer P application for continuous corn should be by Replace-P.