EC Nebraska | GrainTrader - 12/10/2015 23:35
Nitrogen fixating corn IMO would be huge. (Assuming its able to always supply a "perfect" level of N for the plant)
Nitrogen isn't free. It takes energy. Every pound of nitrogen that a corn plant fixes costs some amount of grain yield. So a nitrogen fixing corn will always have a yield penalty compared to a fully fertilized corn.
However, it's quite possible that regulations will someday impose price ratios such that the penalty is worth it. So it's a good avenue for research preparing for that day. Currently, from what I've read, it would take a price ratio of about 1:1. (pound of nitrogen equal to the price of corn). But that's just a guess, and hopefully future research can reduce it. |
what new technology will change crop production
