Evaluating the Nitrogen Fertilization Effects on Optimizing Root Traits System, Soil Health, and CO2 Emission Flux on Short and Tall Corn Hybrids

Commodities

Practices

Corn is the most widely cultivated and multipurpose crop known for its high nitrogen demand, but imprecise and unreliable rates are inducing more pressing challenges on the environment, soil health, and production. The insufficient research studies on belowground root systems, and soil health, have restricted our capacity to address critical agronomic questions. The short corn hybrid is resistant to lodging and is expected to have a strong and better root system and soil biology. There is a need to better document the effect of nitrogen on the belowground root system, soil health, and Co2 emission flux given their significance for the uptake of water, nutrients, and growth. Thus, the project aims to address the gap in knowledge regarding the response of varying nitrogen rates on root systems, soil health, and CO2 flux on a novel short corn hybrid.

The field experiment will be conducted in a two-factorial randomized block design in three different locations in Indiana. The first and second factors will consist of two corn hybrids (short and tall corn), and four nitrogen doses (0 lb/acre, 100 lb/acre, 160 lb/acre, and 200lb/acre) respectively with 4 replications. The coring method will be employed for soil and root morphological data collection followed by scanning, and image analysis with WinRhizo software. The soil properties of each sample will be collected and analyzed using the Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health (CASH) framework to assess soil health. The CO2 emission will be measured by a LICOR -870 and statistical analysis of ANOVA will be performed using R-studio. Additionally, various outreach activities like workshops, field days, extension reports, publications, and presentations, will be conducted to disseminate and assess the project's findings and progress. Thus, to evaluate each objective across the entire research period, we intend to conduct a series of lab and field-based measurements across the Midwest, Indiana.

Additionally, the findings will allow us to provide a comprehensive understanding of root morphological traits, soil health status, and yield response to varying nitrogen rates. We expect the project will motivate the growers to adopt novel short corn hybrids to enhance corn production and soil health. Thus, this research is envisioned to boost growers’ economic viability and environmental sustainability, by recommending short corn with optimum N rate, reducing wind damage, and improving below ground biomass, root traits, soil health, and corn production.  

The long-term outcome of this research is to maximize the adoption of short corn hybrid with optimum nitrogen rate in Midwest agroecosystems. The application of optimum nitrogen rate will provide better insights to farmers for enhancing below-ground root systems, soil health indicators, and functionality leading to higher production, sustainability, and economic viability. The research project is expected to encompass both learning and action outcomes, by leveraging farmers' knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices. The growers will gain better knowledge, skills, and understanding of sustainable corn production through optimum nitrogen application on short corn hybrids. This will enhance their awareness, and expertise in balanced fertilization management for belowground root system soil health, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the action outcomes of the project will be reflected through the adoption, implementation, and modification of the nitrogen management practices on short corn stature. The farmers in the Midwest will shift their production system from a tall corn hybrid to a short corn hybrid favoring soil health, environmental quality, and economic viability. The collaboration will be further strengthened between farmers, consultants, industries, and outreach workers to adopt and implement this transformative innovative approach. Additionally, farmers' field day, workshop, field demonstration, and feedback survey will be conducted to disseminate and assess learning and action. Moreover, the project result will be incorporated in the Purdue extension report, publications, and field guides that will enhance farmers' knowledge, skills, and attitudes for optimum fertilization application, eventually leading to enhanced economic viability, environmental sustainability, and agriculture productivity.