Economic cost-effectiveness of different nitrogen rates application in the production of corn hybrids of different fao maturity groups on brown forest soil (Euteric Cambiosol)

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to analyse optimal nitrogen rate in corn production that will produce maximal profitability. Main objective of corn production is high and stabile yield and consequently generating maximum return for the producer. In order to achieve this, an adequate set of agrotechnical measures has to be applied in the production process. Application of optimal quantity of nitrogen is important in order to increase profitability from corn production, and second, to avoid environmental pollution. During period 2005-2007 a research was conducted to determine influence of nitrogen application rate (control -without fertilisation, PKNfon, PKN60, PKN120 and PKN180) and different FAO group hybrids (ZP-SC 434, ZP-SC 578 and ZP-SC 677) on production profitability. Increase of nitrogen fertilizer tended to raise grain yield. In a dry year of 2005, high additional return of 257.04 $/ha was with nitrogen fertilization rate of 120 kg/ha. The highest return in 2006 and 2007, was with moderate nitrogen rate of 60 kg/ha. Despite yield increase, excessive use of nitrogen can result in decrease of gross return due to rise in fertilization costs, which happened in 2007 where use of 180 kg/ha resulted in a loss of 210 $/ha.