Economic feasibility of variable-rate technology for nitrogen on corn

The economic feasibility of three different fertilizer management strategies (constant rate, three-rate and multiple-rate technology) in the application of nitrogen fertilizer to corn are compared under different probability distributions for field fertility. A constant rate was more profitable than either variable-rate technology system for homogeneous fields with low fertility. The application area at which the relative profitability between systems changed was largely determined by the characteristics of the fertility distribution rather than by assumptions regarding costs. Variable-rate technology improves groundwater quality in low-fertility fields by reducing total fertilizer applied and in high-fertility fields by increasing corn yield.