Variable rate nitrogen fertilization boosts maize yield without increasing costs.
Precision agriculture technology, like proximal sensors, can help farmers distribute nitrogen fertilization more efficiently. A study in northern Italy compared fixed rate and variable rate nitrogen distribution in maize fields. They found that using variable rates based on crop vigor sensors did not affect maize yield compared to fixed rates. This means that using variable rates can be more cost-effective and sustainable for farmers, as it tailors nitrogen application to the actual crop needs.