A response analysis of wheat and barley to nitrogen in Finland

Authors

• John Sumelius Agricultural Economics Research Institute, Luutnantintie 13, FIN-00410 Helsinki, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72672

Abstract

A nonlinear Mitscherlich function was found to be superior to quadratic and square root functions in estimating yield response to nitrogen based on a Finnish sample of barley. Nonnested hypothesis testing (J-test) indicated the Mitscherlich functional form to fit the data better than the quadratic form based on this sample. In the analysis of the crop response for spring wheat the Mitscherlich functional form could not be proved superior by a J-test. The inferred profit maximizing nitrogen fertilization levels based on the Mitscherlich functional form exceeded the quadratic polynomial forms and were lower than the inferred levels using square root specifications. Implementing 100% nitrogen price increases or 50% producer price reductions lowered the profit maximizing nitrogen application doses by 20-24%, according to the Mitscherlich specification.