In this special rerun episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, we revisit a focused discussion with Dr. Emerson Nafziger, professor emeritus of crop sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, on improving how nitrogen fertilizer rates are set for rainfed corn. The conversation addresses why defining optimal nitrogen rates remains difficult, the limits of crop, soil, and weather modeling, and the real potential of variable rate nitrogen to improve nitrogen use efficiency and profitability. The episode also examines whether improved weather forecasts can meaningfully support nitrogen management decisions. Revisit this episode and listen now on all major platforms.

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest: Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:55) Introduction
• (02:05) Dr. Nafziger's background
• (07:10) Soil nitrogen variability
• (10:25) Nitrogen rate strategies
• (13:03) Root development factors
• (25:55) MRTN historical changes
• (31:07) Closing thoughts

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