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Ontario Grain Farmer Magazine

CFCRA Corn Project; Activity 2: Cross-Canada agronomic and environmental benefit of advanced 4R nitrogen management of grain corn

Principal Investigator: Mario Tenuta
Research Institution: University of Manitoba
Project Start: April 2018
Project End: March 2022

Funding Partners: 
Funding for the Corn Project is provided by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada AgriScience Program through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, with industry support from the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance (CFCRA) whose members include: Atlantic Grains Council; Producteurs de grains du Quebec; Grain Farmers of Ontario; Manitoba Corn Growers Association; Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers; Saskatchewan Pulse Growers; Prairie Oat Growers Association; SeCan; and FP Genetics.  Additional industry funding beyond the core CFCRA members is provided by organizations representing the Canadian fertilizer industry.

Objective:

  • Determine if advanced 4R N management for QC, ON, and MB conditions changes the most economical rate of nitrogen (MERN) and improves grower return on investment (ROI)
  • Determine if advanced 4R N management for QC, ON, and MB conditions reduces N losses to the environment
  • Determine if a novel practice of single vs double injection bands in combination with depth placement and N source reduce N losses and increase corn grain yield in ON
  • Develop advanced grower tools for in-season nitrogen rate determination

Impacts:

  • Provide evidence for adjusting N rates for profitability and environmental stewardship depending on 4R management intensity
  • Develop tools for growers to tune in-season N application rates.


Activity Summary:
This activity will develop advanced 4R (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place) nitrogen management strategies for Canadian corn producers that enhance productivity and environmental performance (nutrient leaching and GHG emissions) for nitrogen-intensive corn production. This activity meets an important need to increase the use efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers to hold or reduce nitrogen fertilizer rates in grain corn without decreasing yields. This activity also aims to meet key priorities of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and N losses from agriculture and enhancing knowledge transfer to farmers and industry. Overall, the aim is to provide evidence for adjusting N rates for profitability and environmental stewardship depending on 4R management intensity and development of tools for growers to tune in-season N application rates.