Economic evaluation of variable rate nitrogen management of canola for zones based on historical yield maps and soil test recommendations

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is a highly valuable crop for Canada’s economy, making the efficient management of canola a priority. A field-scale study was conducted at ten sites between 2014 and 2016 to evaluate the viability of site specific nitrogen (N) management zones (MZ) based on analysis of historical yield maps and soil test recommendations to improve canola productivity and profitability in western Canada. Treatments included factorial combinations of three canola yield zones (low, average, high) by four N rates, replicated four times at each site. The canola yield function had a quadratic form in each field but the effects of MZ varied between fields with positive effects in only a few fields. When ten site-years data were combined, MZ had positive effects on canola performance. On average, MZ of N fertilizer over ten fields generated between $28 to $65 ha(−1) more net revenue (NR) relative to average yield management. Site-years, which reflect farm management and other farm characteristics had significant effects on yield and NR ranging from − $91 to $352 ha(−1) compared to a baseline. Nitrogen application under MZs was only reduced by 8% compared to uniform rates. The potential for MZ does exist; however, its effectiveness is highly variable.