Including Iowa State University weather team America federally funded recently launched an online decision support tool, carries on the management of N fertilizer application field to help farmers and farm management consultant, to achieve maximum crop yield, reduce damage to the environment.

This free tool called "Corn Split N", can be used in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas. Corn Split N tool will combine the historical meteorological data and field survey conditions and economic considerations, in order to determine the corn after the completion of the feasibility and profitability of production required application nitrogen amount.

The development of such tools is "useful to available" (U2U) a part of the project, the project is funded by the USA State Department of agriculture, food and agricultural research, the project team consists of 50 employees from 9 North Central University and professional application of knowledge of climate, crop simulation, agricultural science, network technology, agricultural economics and other social science students.

Chad Hart is associate professor of crop marketing economics expert at the Iowa State University, is the project Corn Split N tools in local coordinator. He said, "traditionally, farmers usually sown in autumn or spring single soil nitrogen. However, research has shown that the nitrogen into two or more than two times of application, such as in autumn or spring when unsaturated soil temperature applied once at 50 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, then after plant emergence, carries on second times of N fertilization when needed most, will eventually bring better results. The overall fertilization need will be reduced, and can reduce the loss."

Hart said the corn nitrogen management involves many factors. One is the application period, depending on the climate and soil conditions change. Historical climate data Corn Split N tools to help farmers find, time of applying nitrogen fertilizer in order to achieve the best effect.

Because must be applied in maize growth too big before, the tool also consider geographical location, planting date selection and corn in one year growth degree days accumulated to estimate based on maize growth period. Growing degree days accumulated and related corn growth estimate is a regional average growth of Cheng Duri for 30 years, based on accumulated historical data (1981 to 2010).

The farmers will get their planting and fertilization schedules, the local cost and customization based on the results of existing equipment. Summary of field farming arrangements and crop calendar also let farmers see what farming adjustment may affect their fertilization time.

In 2015, the product will expand the application to the other seven North Central local states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Michigan.