Economic value of in‐season information from N‐rich strip‐based nitrogen recommendations for winter wheat

Abstract Nitrogen overapplication remains a persistent challenge in winter wheat production, contributing to low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), higher production costs, and increased environmental externalities. Sensor‐based nitrogen management systems, such as the nitrogen‐rich strip (NRS), were developed to provide in‐season information on crop nitrogen status and improve fertilizer decision‐making; however, evidence on their long‐run economic performance remains limited. The study contributes a modeling framework that embeds the nitrogen fertilization optimization algorithm within the DSSAT‐CERES‐Wheat model, a crop growth simulator, enabling nitrogen management to be evaluated as an adaptive, in‐season decision process rather than a fixed application rule. The study evaluates the economic performance of two nitrogen management systems: a conventional farmer practice system (CS) and an NRS system. DSSAT‐CERES is coupled with a radiative transfer model and an adaptive nitrogen‐fertilization optimization algorithm to simulate wheat yields and economic outcomes for each system across multiple growing seasons. The CS system applied nitrogen pre‐plant or in split applications. In contrast, the NRS system adjusted mid‐season nitrogen rates based on simulated real‐time sensor data. While the CS system achieved slightly higher yields (approximately 168 kg ha −1 more), the NRS system reduced nitrogen use by an average of 47 kg ha −1 , resulting in cost savings of $39 ha −1 and increased nitrogen use efficiency. The NRS system achieved net returns comparable to the CS system, with an average value of information of $7 ha −1 .