Rk. Boman et al., SPRING-APPLIED NITROGEN-FERTILIZER INFLUENCE ON WINTER-WHEAT AND RESIDUAL SOIL NITRATE, Journal of production agriculture, 8(4), 1995, pp. 584-589
Spring fertilization may reduce N losses and immobilization compared w
ith fall-applied N in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain produc
tion systems, The objectives of this experiment were to determine the
effects of spring applications of varying rates of three N fertilizer
sources on grain yield and N concentration, and residual soil profile
ammonium-N and nitrate-N distribution. Anhydrous ammonia (AA), urea-am
monium nitrate (UAN), and UAN + dicyandiamide (DCD) (1% w/w N as DCD)
were applied for three consecutive years on a sandy loam soil (Udic Ar
giustoll). Nitrogen was applied prior to reproductive growth at 30, 60
, and 90 lb N/acre. An unfertilized check and an AA applicator check (
0 N applied) were included, Anhydrous ammonia was injected in 18 in. b
ands using a rolling coulter applicator. The UAN and UAN + DCD mixture
were broadcast sprayed. Soil cores were taken to 4 ft from each plot
after harvest. Core samples were partitioned by depth and analyzed to
determine ammonium-N and nitrate-N. Grain yield responses to applied N
were observed, No significant grain yield reduction was attributed to
wheat disturbance by the AA applicator, Grain N uptake and apparent f
ertilizer N recovery in the grain (based on the difference method) wer
e greater for AA than for UAN. Anhydrous ammonia resulted in significa
ntly greater upper profile soil nitrate-N than either UAN or UAN + DCD
in 1 yr, Postemergence injection of AA into established winter wheat
was an effective method for applying N when compared with broadcast UA
N. Addition of DCD to UAN did not significantly affect measured plant
or soil parameters.