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Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of fertilization system, nitrate (NO3)– nitrogen (N) distribution along soil profile, and their interaction on corn yield. The study was conducted at the experimental field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad (Serbia) during 2001–2004. Corn monoculture included four fertilization variants: control (Ø), nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) mineral fertilizers, mineral fertilizer + corn stalks (NPK + S), and mineral fertilizers + manure (NPK + M). The greatest yield was found in the variant NPK + M (9.25 t ha−1). Path coefficients showed that greatest direct positive effects on corn yield were exhibited by NO3-N levels at soil depths of 60–90 cm and 30–60 cm. The path analysis showed that winter precipitation (WP) had a direct negative effect on yield performance. However, the effect of the downward movement of NO3-N from the topsoil to deeper soil layers of WP on yield was positive.