Predicting Economic Optimal Nitrogen Rate with the Anaerobic Potentially Mineralizable Nitrogen Test

Estimates of mineralizable N with the anaerobic potentially mineralizable N (PMNan) test could improve predictions of corn (Zea mays L.) economic optimal N rate (EONR). A study across eight US midwestern states was conducted to quantify the predictability of EONR for single and split N applications by PMNan. Treatment factors included different soil sample timings (pre-plant and V5 development stage), planting N rates (0 and 180 kg N ha(-1)), and incubation lengths (7, 14, and 28 d) with and without initial soil NH4-N included with PMNan. Soil was sampled (0-30 cm depth) before planting and N application and at V5 where 0 or 180 kg N ha(-1) were applied at planting. Evaluating across all soils, PMNan was a weak predictor of EONR (R-2 <= 0.08; RMSE, >= 67 kg N ha(-1)), but the predictability improved (15%) when soils were grouped by texture. Using PMNan and initial soil NH4-N as separate explanatory variables improved EONR predictability (11-20%) in fine-textured soils only. Delaying PMNan sampling from pre-plant to V5 regardless of N fertilization improved EONR predictability by 25% in only coarse-textured soils. Increasing PMNan incubations beyond 7 d modestly improved EONR predictability (R-2 increased <= 0.18, and RMSE was reduced <= 7 kg N ha(-1)). Alone, PMNan predicts EONR poorly, and the improvements from partitioning soils by texture and including initial soil NH4-N were relatively low (R-2 <= 0.33; RMSE >= 68 kg N ha(-1)) compared with other tools for N fertilizer recommendations.