1. Field Scale Variability of Corn Yield response Functions to Fertilizer Nitrogen Application

Variable rate nitrogen (N) application assumes that corn response to N fertilizer varies within a field. However, this hypothesis has not been formally tested yet. Field variation of corn response to N fertilizer and economically optimum N fertilizer rates (EON) were assessed in on- farm experiments throughout central Illinois. Fields (16 to 32 ha.) were subdivided into 13 to 20 areas. Five nitrogen rates were randomized within these areas in 28 kg N increments (2 rates) and decrements (2 rates)...