EVALUATION OF OPTICAL SENSOR BASED NITROGEN ALGORITHMS FOR CORN USING SIDEDRESS LIQUID APPLICATIONS Robert Mullen, Greg Schwab, Wade Thomason, William Raun, James Schepers, Newell Kitchen, John Shanahan, Dennis Francis, Steve Phillips, Kyle Freeman, Paul Hodgen, Brian Arnall, Roger Teal, Clayton Dygert, Gyles Randall, and Jeff Vetsch Fluid Fertilizer Foundation Forum February 14, 2006 Robert Mullen, Greg Schwab, Wade Thomason, William Raun, James Schepers, Newell Kitchen, John Shanahan, Dennis Francis, Steve Phillips, Kyle Freeman, Paul Hodgen, Brian Arnall, Roger Teal, Clayton Dygert, Gyles Randall, and Jeff Vetsch Fluid Fertilizer Foundation Forum February 14, 2006

Experimental Results – Western Ohio Treatment Starter N Sidedress N (avg) Total N (avg) YieldReturn lb/acre bu/acre $/acre Sidedress Avg (OSU) (OSU) (UNL) (UNL) (MU) (MU) (VPI) (VPI) LSD

Experimental Results – Wooster, OH Treatment Starter N Sidedress N (avg) Total N (avg) YieldReturn lb/acre bu/acre $/acre Sidedress Avg (OSU) (OSU) (UNL) (UNL) (MU) (MU) (VPI) (VPI) LSD

Experimental Results - Oklahoma Treatment Starter N Sidedress N (avg) Total N (avg) YieldReturn lb/acre bu/acre $/acre Sidedress Avg (OSU) (OSU) (UNL) (UNL) (MU) (MU) (VPI) (VPI) LSD

Experimental Results - Nebraska Treatment Starter N Sidedress N (avg) Total N (avg) YieldReturn lb/acre bu/acre------$/acre Sidedress Avg (OSU) (OSU) (UNL) (UNL) (MU) (MU) (VPI) (VPI) LSD

Experimental Results - Virginia Treatment Starter N Sidedress N (avg) Total N (avg) YieldReturn lb/acre bu/acre $/acre Sidedress Avg (OSU) (OSU) (UNL) (UNL) (MU) (MU) (VPI) (VPI) LSD

Concerns Timing – how early can we reliably identify N need –V10 is going to be difficult for producers in dryland production –Challenges of soil reflectance early in the growing season Establishment of reference strip –Communication with co-op/retailer Timing – how early can we reliably identify N need –V10 is going to be difficult for producers in dryland production –Challenges of soil reflectance early in the growing season Establishment of reference strip –Communication with co-op/retailer

Potential for Technology Increases as N cost increases Environmental concerns –Governmental support Field evidence shows we can show a benefit –More work needed to identify what the right approach is Increases as N cost increases Environmental concerns –Governmental support Field evidence shows we can show a benefit –More work needed to identify what the right approach is

Research Will Continue! Already have an experimental design established for the upcoming year

Thanks!!!! Thanks to the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation for support!!! Questions???? Robert Mullen – Thanks to the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation for support!!! Questions???? Robert Mullen –