Spatial Variability of Corn Yield and Yield Response to Fertilizer Nitrogen: Role of Organic Carbon

Utility of organic carbon (OC) content as an indicator of corn (Zea maize L.) grain yield and yield response to nitrogen (N) across a broad range of conditions was assessed using data from two studies (the first on a variable landscape at Elora Research Station and the second on 19 landscapes in private farms) conducted from 1998 to 2003 in southern Ontario. Zero and 140/150 kg N ha(-1) were applied in all studies. Yields generally increased linearly or quadratically with increasing OC. Regression models indicated 42% of the data sets had no response to fertilizer N and in only two data sets in Elora and no data sets in private farms were yield responses to N dependent on OC. When yield increased with fertilizer addition, it was similar for all OC contents in a landscape. We concluded that OC content cannot be used to identify N-management units in southern Ontario.