Farmers have the opportunity to see how different nitrogen rates affect their corn yield by hosting a rate trial for the University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences. Here are the details for these on-farm trials.

Farmers that spring apply nitrogen preplant or sidedress are welcome to participate. The rates of nitrogen to be applied are 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 pounds per acre. The previous crop can be either corn or soybean.

There needs to be three replications or strips of each rate, for a total of 15 strips across the field. Strips can be any reasonable size, from 12 to 16 rows wide by 300 up to 1,000 feet long, as long as accurate rates can be applied and accurate yield measurements made.

Strips with nitrogen spring applied preplant will have to be in the same direction as the rows will be planted. Additional nitrogen, for example that in DAP (18-46-0) or MAP (11-52-0), can be used, as long as rates don't exceed 30 to 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

Manure should not have been applied to the field in the past ten years. Other corn inputs (hybrid, tillage, herbicide, insecticide, etc.) are the farmer's decision. Yields can be taken with a yield monitor or weigh wagon (or both), whichever is considered most accurate and convenient.

Farm cooperators will receive a payment for each trial completed. Interested farmers should contact Emerson Nafziger, Extension crop specialist, by phone (217-333-4424 or 9658) or by email, ednaf@uiuc.edu