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Blind N Management Can Create N-Deficit Zones, Hurt Yield and Profits

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2026 ASABE Annual International Meeting  2601424.(doi:10.13031/aim.202601424)
Authors:   Salman Mirzaee, Ahmed Abdalla, Ali Mirzakhani Nafchi
Keywords:   Nitrogen Management, Precision Agriculture, Sensor, Variations

Abstract. Conventional flat-rate N application often ignores within-field variability in soil properties, crop demand, moisture, and landscape conditions, which can create N-deficit zones and reduce yield potential. This study evaluated the impact of flat rate and variable rate N application on corn yield and spatial field performance. Under flat rate N management, corn yield varied across years, ranging from 100 to 142 bu/ac, with an average yield of 122 bu/ac. In contrast, variable rate N application in 2025 produced a field average yield of 163 bu/ac, with zone-level yields ranging from 146 to 186 bu/ac. These results indicate that blind N management flat rate N application may not adequately match spatial crop N requirements, while variable rate application can better respond to field variability and improve corn productivity. It was concluded that variable rate N management provides a practical and sustainable strategy to reduce blind N application and support higher yield performance.

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