Greater soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) dry matter found in current soybean varieties and reduced seeding rates can impact nutrient uptake and grain yield potential and may influence grain yield response to fertilizer applications. Field experiments were initiated in Richville and Lansing, MI to determine the effects of seeding rate and fertilizer applications on plant growth, nutrient accumulation, grain yield, and profit. Increasing seeding rate from 123,500 to 222,400 seeds ha-1 increased grain yield 304 kg ha-1 but no statistical differences were observed above 222,400 seeds ha-1. Subsurface MESZ applications increased grain yield 241 to 261 kg ha-1 but did not interact with seeding rate. The influence of soil nutrient concentrations and environmental conditions on grain yield may take precedence over reduced interplant competition in decreased seeding rates. Weather volatility and closer synchronization of nitrogen (N) application with peak corn (Zea mays) uptake may provide opportunity for enhanced N use efficiency and grain yield with sidedress N placement closer to the plant. Field studies were initiated in Richville and Lansing, MI to assess the effects of multiple N timing and sidedress (SD) placement strategies on corn growth, grain yield, agronomy efficiency (AE) of applied N, and profit. Grain yield was not influenced by N strategy during dry soil conditions but AE increased with V4-6 N applications and coulter-inject SD N placement. Corn N response may be influenced by environmental conditions therefore weather forecasts and environmental trends should be considered when deliberating N timing and SD placement strategies.
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