Optimizing Variable Rate Nitrogen Fertilizer Application in Fields with Spatial Variability
| Lead Researcher | Ross McKenzie |
| Co-Researcher(s) | Doon Pauly, Eric Bremer, Mike Wobick, Virginia Nelson |
| Start Date | April 2010 |
| End Date | May 2014 |
| Funding Partners | ACIDF, Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions |
| Status | Complete |
The Challenge
Agronomic research and knowledge to develop variable rate fertilizer (VRF) prescription maps are lacking for the Canadian prairies.
The Project
Correlate crop yield response to nitrogen fertilizer rates from fields across Alberta with variable landscape through various physical and chemical soil and topographic factors.
The Results
VRF could attribute an additional $15-$76 per ha compared to a blanket fertilizer rate. These numbers were based on economic analysis of fertilizer prices, yield and crop values. Additional management/consulting expenses and cost of VRF equipment were not factored into the analysis. Currently, the immediate future for VRF is not economically beneficial and more research is required.
Grower Benefits
Although there is the potential of VRF to benefit the environment, the technology must develop further to be more cost-effective and reliable for Alberta farmers.
Keywords: Variable Rate, Nitrogen, Spatial Variability, VRF, Fertilizer
