Investigation and modeling of the optimization potential of adapted nitrogen fertilization strategies in corn cropping systems with regard to minimize nitrogen losses [Elektronische Ressource] / von Eva Johanna Link

I


Aus dem
Institut für Pflanzenbau und Grünland
Universität Hohenheim
Fachgebiet Allgemeiner Pflanzenbau

Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Claupein



Investigation and Modeling
of the Optimization Potential
of Adapted Nitrogen Fertilization Strategies
in Corn Cropping Systems
with Regard to Minimize Nitrogen Losses



Dissertation
zur Erlangung des Grades
eines Doktors der Agrarwissenschaften


vorgelegt der
Fakultät Agrarwissenschaften
der Universität Hohenheim


von
Dipl.-Ing. sc. agr. Eva Johanna Link
aus Herdecke


Januar 2005
II



























Die vorliegende Arbeit wurde am 18. April 2005 von der Fakultät Agrarwissenschaften der
Universität Hohenheim als "Dissertation zur Erlangung des Grades eines Doktors der
Agrarwissenschaften" angenommen.
Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 10. Mai 2005
1. Prodekan: Prof. Dr. K. Stahr
Berichterstatter, 1. Prüfer: Prof. Dr. W. Claupein
Mitberichterstatter, 2. Prüfer: Prof. Dr. W. D. Batchelor
3. Prüfer: Prof. Dr. V. Römheld III
Table of Content

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................1
1.1 Interest ....................................................................................................................1
1.2 Aim .........................................................................................................................2
1.3 Proceeding and Organization .................................................................................3
2 Environmental Pollution by Nitrogen from Agricultural Land Use...........................5
2.1 Environmental Pollution from Nitrogen Application.............................................5
2.2 Nitrogen Cycle........................................................................................................6
2.3 Nitrogen Losses to the Groundwater......................................................................7
2.3.1 Nitrate Leaching .............................................................................................8
2.3.2 Processes Influencing Nitrate Leaching .........................................................8
2.3.2.1 Soil and Water Interactions ........................................................................9
2.3.2.2 Crop Cultivation .......................................................................................10
2.3.3 Methods to Reduce Nitrate Leaching ...........................................................11
2.4 Nitrogen Losses to the Atmosphere .....................................................................12
2.4.1 Formation of Nitrous Oxide .........................................................................13
2.4.1.1 Nitrification ..............................................................................................14
2.4.1.2 Denitrification...........................................................................................14
2.4.2 Processes Influencing Nitrous Oxides Emission..........................................15
3 Site Description ........................................................................................................17
3.1 Formation of the Upper Rhine Valley ..................................................................17
3.2 Soil........................................................................................................................18
3.3 Climate .................................................................................................................19
3.4 Agricultural Structure and Land Use....................................................................20
3.5 Experimental Sites................................................................................................23
4 Precision Farming.....................................................................................................29
4.1 Definition of Precision Farming...........................................................................29
4.2 Management Zones...............................................................................................30
4.3 Technologies of Precision Farming......................................................................31
4.3.1 Yield Mapping..............................................................................................31
4.3.2 Soil Sampling ...............................................................................................32
4.3.3 Soil Electrical Conductivity .........................................................................32
4.3.4 Crop Scouting...............................................................................................33
4.3.5 Remote Sensing ............................................................................................33
4.4 Nitrogen Fertilization ...........................................................................................34
4.5 Impact on Economical and Environmental Issues................................................35
5 Spatial Variability and Temporal Stability of Corn (Zea mays L.) Grain Yields
in the Upper Rhine Valley (Germany) – Relevance of Grid Size ............................39 IV
5.1 Abstract.................................................................................................................39
5.2 Introduction ..........................................................................................................41
5.3 Materials and Methods .........................................................................................44
5.3.1 Site Description ............................................................................................44
5.3.2 Treatments ....................................................................................................44
5.3.3 Yield Monitoring ..........................................................................................45
5.3.4 Plant and Soil Sampling ...............................................................................45
5.3.5 Data Analysis................................................................................................46
5.4 Results ..................................................................................................................47
5.4.1 Corn Grain Yield ..........................................................................................47
5.4.1.1 Field Scale ................................................................................................47
5.4.1.2 Grid Scale of 15.0 x 11.0 m (Case A) ......................................................47
5.4.1.3 Grid Scale of 22.5 x 16.5 m (Case B).......................................................48
5.4.1.4 Grid Scale of 15.0/22.5 x 27.5 m (Case C) ..............................................48
5.4.2 Spatial Variability of Corn Grain Yield .......................................................49
5.4.2.1 Field Scale ................................................................................................49
5.4.2.2 Grid Scale of 15.0 x 11.0 m (Case A) ......................................................50
5.4.2.3. Grid Scale of 22.5 x 16.5 m (Case B).......................................................50
5.4.2.4 Grid Scale of 15.5/22.5 x 27.5 m (Case C) ..............................................51
5.4.3 Temporal Stability of Corn Grain Yield.......................................................52
5.4.3.1 Field Scale ................................................................................................52
5.4.3.2 Grid Scale of 15.0 x 11.0 m (Case A) ......................................................53
5.4.3.3 Grid Scale of 22.5 x 16.5 m (Case B).......................................................53
5.4.3.4 Grid Scale of 15.5/22.5 x 27.5 m (Case C) ..............................................54
5.4.4 Plant Yield Parameters .................................................................................55
5.4.5 Soil Parameters.............................................................................................58
5.5 Discussion.............................................................................................................61
5.6 Conclusion............................................................................................................64
6 Crop Modeling..........................................................................................................67
6.1 Categories of Models............................................................................................67
6.2 Yield Response and Growth Models....................................................................68
6.2.1 APSIM..........................................................................................................70
6.2.2 CropSyst .......................................................................................................71
6.2.3 DSSAT ...................................................................................................