Crop Production

Pike County OPTIMA Fields On-Farm Trial: Will Curtis

1 min read
Farmer Will Curtis driving a combine.

An illustrated logo of growing plants with the words OPTIMA Fields Alabama Extension below them.Farm Overview

  • Location: Troy—Pike County, Alabama
  • Crop: Corn
  • Planting date: March 19, 2025
  • Variety: DKC 68-95
  • Area: 65 acres
  • Row spacing: 36 inches, twin row
  • Irrigation: Center pivot
  • Tillage: Strip tillage

Objectives

  • Determine if the identification of different seeding rates according to field variability will lead to better nitrogen and water management.
  • Apply nitrogen fertilizer through fertigation to match crop nutrient demand and improve corn yield and resource efficiency under center pivot irrigation.
  • Assess the economic benefits of this approach for farmers in central Alabama.

Treatments

This trial design is divided into two parts. The first part seeks to evaluate the response of variable rate seeding. The second part of the trial includes guided fertigation using N-Time, which uses satellite imagery and agronomic data to give real-time nitrogen recommendations based on crop needs on a single seeding rate to reduce excess nitrogen application. The following table outlines the different seeding rates tested in this trial, as well as the methods used to determine nitrogen rates.

Variable Rate Seeding (Seeds per Acre)Methods Used to Determine Nitrogen Rates
28,000Grower's Plan
32,000N-Time's Recommendations
36,000
40,000

Soil Type

A map that shows the soil type for the Curtis farm trail.

Field Trial Design

A map that shows the field trail design for the Curtis farm.

Activities

 

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