Knorr-Holden Plots

This experiment has been added by the GLTEN Curators using existing published sources.
Objective
The experiment was developed in response to a need to determine the best-irrigated farming method for continuous maize in the early 1900s for western Nebraska. The experiment is now used to study nitrogen use efficiency, crop yield, yield stability and soil properties.
Data Access Statement
Don't know
Data license
Don't know
Data policy
Don't know
Organization
University of Nebraska Panhandle Research & Extension Center
research organisation
People

Site: Knorr-Holden Plot

Location
Scottsbluff
Nebraska
USA
Geographic location
41.8933852500851, -103.680901298016
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Visits permitted?
No
History
The site was native short grass prairie which was was broken-up, then seeded to oats (Avena sativa L.) in spring 1911. From 1912 maize has been grown continuously.
Soil description
The soil is a Tripp very fine sandy loam soil (coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Aridic Haplustoll).
Climate properties
VariableTime periodValue (range)Units
precipitation396 millimeter

Design period: Period 1 (1912—1941)

Description
Single plot growing continuous maize without addition of any fertilizers.
Number of plots
1
Crop
CropYears grown
maize

Design period: Period 2 (1942—1952)

Description
The single plot was split in half to include a beef cattle manure treatment.
Number of plots
2
Crop
CropYears grown
maize
Factor
Factor name
Factor levels
farmyard manure exposure
With FYM  (27 t/ha)
1942—1953
Application frequency: annually
FYM as beef cattle manure.
Without FYM  (0 )
1942—1953

Design period: Design 3 (1953—)

Design Type
Split-plot
Design description
A second replication of two main plots was added by expanding the experiment area into an adjoining plot. The second replication soil had a manure history of 27 t ha−1 yr−1 since 1942. Each of the four manure plots were split into 6 to test inorganic nitrogen fertilizer
Number of plots
4
Number of subplots
24
Number of replicates
2
Number of harvests per year
1
Crop
CropYears grown
maize
Factors
Factor name
Factor levels
farmyard manure exposure
with FYM  (27 t/ha)
1953—
Without FYM  (0 )
1953—
nitrogen fertilizer exposure
Nitrogen rates are multiples of 45 kgN/ha
N0  (0 )
N45  (45 kgN/ha)
1953—
N90  (90 kgN/ha)
1953—
N135  (135 kgN/ha)
1953—
N135+P  (135 kgN/ha)
1953—
Also receives 56 kgP/ha
N180  (180 kgN/ha)
1945—
Measurement
VariableMaterialUnitsFrequencyScaleComment
grain yield traitNot specified

Related publications

  • Maharjan, B., Das, S., Nielsen, R., & Hergert, G. W. (2021). Maize yields from manure and mineral fertilizers in the 100-year-old Knorr–Holden Plot [https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20713]. Agronomy Journal