Fertilizer Nitrogen Utilization by Corn, Tomato, and Sugarbeet¹

Abstract

Differences in the abilities of crops to utilize fertilizer and soil N can contribute to the establishment of rotation systems to improve the efficiency of fertilizer use and reduce nitrate pollution groundwater. Field studies show considerable site variability in the utilization of fertilizer by individual crops. To compare fertilizer N use by corn (Zea mays L.), sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.), and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), several rates of fertilizer N were applied to replicated plots of each crop in the same field at Davis, Calif. A 2nd year study involved only corn and sugarbeet. The experiments were conducted at different sites, but both on the same soil, Yolo silt loam (a fine‐silty, mixed, nonacid, thermic, Typic Xerorthent). Nitrogen‐15 depleted ammonium sulfate was used as a labeled N source in the three‐crop experiment and ammonium nitrate of normal isotopic ratio was used for the two‐crop experiment. In both experiments, N was applied in bands on both sides of crop rows after seedling emergence in 56 kg increments from 0 to 280 kg N/ha. Fertilizer N required for maximum commercial yield in 1979 was: corn 194, tomato 131, and sugarbeet 92 kg N/ha; and in 1980: corn 280 and sugarbeet 70 kg N/ha. Average recoveries of labeled N from fertilizer in 1979 were: corn 57%, and tomato and sugarbeet 27%; and in 1980 without labeled N the apparent recoveries were: corn 52% and sugarbeet 37%. The ratios of fertilizer to soil N in the crops at fertilizer rates giving maximum commercial yields in 1979 were: corn 45/55, tomato 25/75, and sugarbeet 15/85; and in 1980 were estimated by the difference method to be: corn 54/46 and sugarbeet 10/90. Thus corn relied most heavily on fertilizer N, followed by tomato then sugarbeet. On average, over the 2 years, sugarbeet took up 95% more soil N than corn. These data indicate that fertilizer use efficiency may be improved by growing corn when residual N is lowest and tomato or sugarbeet when residual N is highest. With care to avoid residual N too high for depletion prior to harvest, sugarbeet can be used to scavenge soil N and thus conserve the use of fertilizer N.

The effect of nitrogen source and crop rotation on the growth and yield of processing tomatoes

“…Reported values of total N uptake by processing tomatoes usually range from 150 to 300 kg N ha -I depending on cultivar, soil, and irrigation system (Broadbent et al, 1980;Hills et al, 1983;Tesi and Giustiniani, 1987). Because of its short season (4-5 month), tomato N uptake rates can be as high as 4.3 kg N ha -1 day -1 (Dumas, 1990).…”

“…Because of its short season (4-5 month), tomato N uptake rates can be as high as 4.3 kg N ha -1 day -1 (Dumas, 1990). Processing tomatoes are considered to have low fertilizer N use efficiency, with values usually lower than 40%, and soil derived N is considered a major source for this crop (Broadbent et al, 1980;Hills et at., 1983;Miller et al, 1981).…”

Root distribution in relation to soil nitrogen availability in field-grown tomatoes

“…For example, addition of more than 50 kg N ha-1 gave no significant increase in yield (Broadbent et al, 1980), and at 100 kg N ha -1 (ammonium sulfate), tomato only recovered about 20 percent of fertilizer N (Hills et al, 1983). Absorption of fertilizer N is greatest when residual soil N levels are low, and when the direction of irrigation water movement carries bands of fertilizer toward the plant (Miller et al, 1981).…”

Evaluating Nitrogen Efficiencies and Accumulation in Sugar beet (Betavulgaris L.) Under Tape-Drip Irrigation

“…Another study in the US showed for 10 Tonne.ha-1 root, leaves absorb 20 kgN.ha-1 and for 10 Tonne.ha-1 root and shoot production 40-55 kg N.ha-1 needed (Buchner & Sturm, 1985). half amount to produce the same amount of root needed (Hills et al, 1983). In another study, it showed that 5 kg of N is needed to produce each Tone of Root (Eckhoff & Flynn, 2008).…”

“…Improvement in fertilizer implication method can increase NUE (Sowers et al, 1994, Good et al, 2004 but other approaches like UTE and UPE improvement may be helpful to reach the Goal (Hills et al, 1983). Some studies showed that in an excess amount of Nitrogen, UPE gains more importance, however, at the times of Nitrogen scarcity, UTE has the main importance.…”