Arable


Focus on applications to get best from nitrogen


A


little-and-often approach could improve nitrogen use effi cien- cy this spring – rather than ap- plying lots at once to get crops growing. Too much nitrogen too soon can


swamp small or slowly growing plants with poorly developed root systems, suggests Ross Leadbeater of CF Fer- tilsers. Instead, four or fi ve applica- tions can be better than the tradition- al three-way split. “The key is to make sure whatever N you do apply is taken up quickly by plants and is not left in the system unused or at the mercy of the weath- er”, says Mr Leadbeater. This proba- bly means growers turning to more frequent but lower level applications than they might be used to.” Application timing can also be used to manage the canopy. “In slow grow- ing years, early Nitrogen can be used to build tiller numbers and in forward


crops later applications can help thin crops out.”


Optimum amount


An optimum to aim for is around 1000- 1200 tillers/m2


around 500-600 ears/m2 ward crops with 2000 tillers/m2


with a view to build For more for- delay-


ing the fi rst application will be benefi - cial to starve some of this growth off. “When it comes to the fi nal solid ni- trogen application for milling wheat, this ideally should take place just be- fore growth stage 35-39 to encourage optimum protein building. “Solid AN will always be more


effi cient than straight urea for late applications but care also needs tak- ing if you use liquid N, not just because of the risk of scorch but also due to potential problems with crop accept- ance.


“Late season foliar N applications


Adjust timing and frequency to improve nitrogen effi ciency, says Ross Leadbeater.


using urea applied at the milky ripe grain growth stage 73-75 don’t always produce functional protein. “The grain may appear to contain enough protein N, but it won’t contain the functional proteins required and in some cases millers will not to take wheat if it has had a late foliar urea application.”


Other nutrients


Adequate levels of phosphate and pot- ash are essential to avoid growth checks and soil indices of around 2 need to be maintained to ensure optimum Ni- trogen utilisation, suggests Mr Lead- beater. “Without this, the plant will not be able to use the nitrogen effi ciently and both yield and quality are likely to suf- fer if these nutrients aren’t in balance. Most wheat crops destined for premi- um markets are also likely to require additional sulphur.” “Ideally, applications should be made at the start of March at growth stage 14-25 with the best way of getting both early N and S on to the crop being a true granular NS compound such as DoubleTop (27N + 30SO3) or Single- Top (27N + 12SO3).”


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