Evaluation of crop yield under different nitrogen doses of mineral fertilization

Abstract

Yields of winter wheat, winter rape and oats were evaluated in the field; the field was divided into the site-specific zones and treated with variable doses of nitrogen fertilizer in years 2004-2006. Measurements of the yields were carried out with a yield monitor placed in a combine harvester. The measured data were processed into the yield maps by means of ArcGIS 9.2 software. Variable application of fertilizer should balance yield potential of the field. Generally, total yield variability on the field after the application of various doses of experimental fertilizer was similar in the years 2004 (11.3%), 2005 (14.7%) and 2006 (11.7%) in comparison with the year 2003 (25.02%). Variable application of nitrogen in the site-specific zones, created on the basis of the yield levels, decreased the yield variability in comparison with the uniform dose. Different doses of nitrogen fertilizer also enabled to increase utilization of production potential of the experimental field.