Nitrogen Sources and Their Management on Wheat Yield and Protein

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer management in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can impact grain yield and protein. Develping strategies that improve N efficiency are needed to optimize wheat production in North Dakota. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate N stabilizers, N rate, N placement and application timing on grain yield and protein of winter and spring wheat. The timing of N release from a polymer coated urea (ESN) was also studied. Nitrogen stabilizers improved N efficency in some environments but not all. Deeper placement of urea helped reduce N losses. The closer that N fertilizer was applied to the date it was utilized by wheat usually increased protein. Nitrogen release from ESN was gradual over several months offering potential protection against N losses from a fall or spring applicaton.