Opportunities for improved fertilizer nitrogen management in production of arable crops in eastern Canada: A review

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
B J Zebarth ◽  
C F Drury ◽  
N Tremblay ◽  
A N Cambouris
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
N Management ◽  
N Status

There is increasing public pressure to reduce the environmental impacts of agricultural production. Therefore, one key challenge to producers is to manage their crop production systems in order to minimize losses of nitrogen to air or water, while achieving crop yield and quality goals. Many strategies have been developed in recent years to meet this challenge. These include: development of new tools to measure crop N status in order to refine in-season fertilizer N management, development of new soil N tests to improve prediction of soil N supply, development of new fertilizer N products with release patterns more closely matched to crop N uptake patterns, and development of site-specific N management strategies. We review the opportunities and limitations to these new strategies within different arable crop production systems under the humid and sub-humid soil moisture regimes present in eastern Canada. Future research opportunities to improve the efficiency of fertilizer N utilization include development of practical methods to predict the magnitude of soil N mineralization; refinement of decision-making processes which take into consideration the crop N status and soil properties as a basis for variable rate fertilizer N application; development of affordable controlled-release fertilizer N products with improved N release characteristics; development of practical methods for capturing and recycling nutrient-laden drainage water; development of gene expression profiling based techniques to identify crop N stress; and application of crop genomics and molecular breeding techniques to accelerate the development of new cultivars with increased N use efficiency. Key words: Soil N tests, plant N tests, nitrogen fertilizers, nitrogen cycling

scholarly journals Growing Soybean Prior to Corn Increased Soil Nitrogen Supply and N Fertilizer Efficiency for Corn in Cold and Humid Conditions of Eastern Canada

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Adrien N. Dayegamiye ◽  
Judith Nyiraneza ◽  
Johann K. Whalen ◽  
Michèle Grenier ◽  
Anne Drapeau
Keyword(s):  
N Uptake ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Fertilizer Efficiency ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Continuous Corn ◽  
N Fertilizer Efficiency ◽  
Corn Grain

<p>Growing soybean (<em>Glycine max L.)</em> prior to corn (<em>Zea mays</em> L) can enhance corn grain and nitrogen (N) use efficiency compared to continuous corn. This two year study (2007-2008) was conducted at 62 sites in Quebec (Eastern Canada) to assess the effect of crop rotations [soybean-corn, soybean-wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.,)-corn and corn-corn] on corn yield, N uptake, N fertilizer efficiency (NFE), and the economic optimum N rate (EONR). Plots within each crop rotation received N fertilizer rates from 0 to 250 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> to assess the N contribution from the preceding soybean crop. Corn grain yields ranged from 8.4 to 10.8 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> and were lower in continuous corn than in the crop rotations. Corn N uptake and NFE varied from 89 to 164 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> and from 45 to 80 kg grain per kg N fertilizer, respectively. A significant interaction of crop rotation and year on corn N uptake and NFE was obtained implying that annual variations influenced soil N supply. The EONR for corn was lower under crop rotations than continuous corn in 2008 only. No difference in corn yield, NFE and EONR was observed for soybean-corn and soybean-wheat-corn crop sequences. In conclusion, crop rotations including soybean increased soil N availability and reduced EONR from 32 to 45 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> for corn grown in 2008.</p>

scholarly journals N Balance and Requirements Under Different N Management Practices in a No-Till Perennial Rice Cropping System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangfu Huang ◽  
Yujiao Zhang ◽  
Shilai Zhang ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Shuxian Gan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
N Uptake ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
N Balance ◽  
Dry Matter Accumulation ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
N Management ◽  
N Use

Abstract Aims: In the absence of tillage, perennial rice is an innovation and supplement to rice production. Evaluating crop N uptake and N requirements and maintaining soil N balance are essential for informing decisions regarding optimal N management and the accessibility of the soil environment benefits of perennial rice cropping systems. Methods: To assess the soil nitrogen cycle and balance, formulate optimal N fertilizer management for perennial rice, a field experiment with four nitrogen rates (N0, N1, N2 and N3 refer to 0, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha-1, respectively) integrated with three planting densities (D1, D2 and D3 refer to 100×103, 167×103 and 226×103 plants ha-1, respectively) was conducted for two years over four seasons (2016-2017) in southern China. Results: The results showed that N2D3 mode could sustainably produce higher dry matter accumulation (15.15 t ha-1) and grain yields (7.67 t ha-1) over four seasons, showed significantly higher N uptake (201 kg ha-1 each season) and less soil N loss (27.1%). Additionally, the N2D3 mode could reach the optimal N balance (-0.2 kg ha-1) in perennial rice fields with low N requirements (23.9 kg N Mg-1 grain), resulting in higher N use efficiency (NAE: 26.5 kg N kg-1, NRE: 64.9%). Conclusion: In the perennial rice cropping system, 180 kg N ha-1 integrated with 226×103 plants ha-1 resulted in higher grain yields with lower N requirements, higher N use efficiencies, and lower soil N losses, thereby maintaining the soil N balance for sustainable perennial rice production.

Effect of Late-Season Herbicide Applications on Inflorescence and Seed Production of Glyphosate-Resistant Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahoor A. Ganie ◽  
Simranpreet Kaur ◽  
Prashant Jha ◽  
Vipan Kumar ◽  
Amit J. Jhala
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Acetolactate Synthase ◽  
The United States ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Late Season ◽  
Giant Ragweed

Giant ragweed is one of the most competitive annual broadleaf weeds in corn and soybean crop production systems in the United States and eastern Canada. Management of giant ragweed has become difficult due to the evolution of resistance to glyphosate and/or acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibitor herbicides and giant ragweed’s ability to emerge late in the season, specifically in the eastern Corn Belt. Late-season herbicide application may reduce seed production of weed species; however, information is not available about late-season herbicide applications on giant ragweed seed production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of single or sequential late-season applications of 2,4-D, dicamba, glyphosate, and glufosinate on inflorescence injury and seed production of glyphosate-resistant (GR) giant ragweed under greenhouse and field conditions (bare ground study). Single and sequential applications of glufosinate resulted in as much as 59 and 60% injury to giant ragweed inflorescence and as much as 78 and 75% reduction in seed production, respectively, under field and greenhouse conditions. In contrast, single or sequential applications of 2,4-D or dicamba resulted in ≥ 96% inflorescence injury and reduction in seed production in the field as well as in greenhouse studies. The results indicated that 2,4-D or dicamba are effective options for reducing seed production of glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed even if applied late in the season. Targeting weed seed production to decrease the soil seedbank will potentially be an effective strategy for an integrated management of GR giant ragweed.

Dynamics of nitrogen capture without fertilizer: the baseline for fertilizing winter wheat in the UK

2001 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. SYLVESTER-BRADLEY ◽  
D. T. STOKES ◽  
R. K. SCOTT
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Soil Horizon ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Soil Mineral N ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Soil Mineral ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Fertilizer Use ◽  
The Uk

Experiments at three sites in 1993, six sites in 1994 and eight sites in 1995, mostly after oilseed rape, tested effects of previous fertilizer N (differing by 200 kg/ha for 1993 and 1994 and 300 kg/ha for 1995) and date of sowing (differing by about 2 months) on soil mineral N and N uptake by winter wheat cv. Mercia which received no fertilizer N. Soil mineral N to 90 cm plus crop N (‘soil N supply’; SNS) in February was 103 and 76 kg/ha after large and small amounts of previous fertilizer N respectively but was not affected by date of sowing. Previous fertilizer N seldom affected crop N in spring because sowing was too late for N capture during autumn, but it did affect soil mineral N, particularly in the 60–90 cm soil horizon, presumably due to over-winter leaching. Tillering generally occurred in spring, and was delayed but not diminished by later sowing. Previous fertilizer N increased shoot survival more than it increased shoot production. Final shoot number was affected by previous fertilizer N, but not by date of sowing. Overall, there were 29 surviving tillers/g SNS.N uptakes at fortnightly intervals from spring to harvest at two core sites were described well by linear rates. The difference between sowings in the fitted date with 10 kg/ha crop N was 1 month; these dates were not significantly affected by previous fertilizer. N uptake rates were increased by both previous fertilizer N and late sowing. Rates of N uptake related closely to soil mineral N in February such that ‘equivalent recovery’ was achieved in late May or early June. At one site there was evidence that most of the residue from previous fertilizer N had moved below 90 cm by February, but N uptake was nevertheless increased. Two further ‘satellite’ sites behaved similarly. Thus at 14 out of 17 sites, N uptake until harvest related directly and with approximate parity to soil mineral N in February (R2 = 0·79), a significant intercept being in keeping with an atmospheric contribution of 20–40 kg/ha N at all sites.It is concluded that, on retentive soils in the UK, SNS in early spring was a good indicator of N availability throughout growth of unfertilized wheat, because the N residues arising from previous fertilizer mineralized before analysis, yet remained largely within root range. The steady rates of soil mineral N recovery were taken as being dependent on progressively deeper root development. Thus, even if soil mineral N equated with a crop's N requirement, fresh fertilizer applications might be needed before ‘equivalent recovery’ of soil N, to encourage the earlier processes of tiller production and canopy expansion. The later process of grain filling was sustained by continued N uptake (mean 41 kg/ha) coming apparently from N leached to the subsoil (relating to previous fertilizer use) as well as from sources not related to previous fertilizer use; significant net mineralization was apparent in some subsoils.

Rate and time of fertilizer nitrogen application on yield, protein and apparent efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen use of spring wheat

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 709-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Zebarth ◽  
E. J. Botha ◽  
H. Rees
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
N Mineralization ◽  
Grain Protein ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
N Application ◽  
Fertilizer Nitrogen ◽  
N Status

Use of an in-season measurement of crop nitrogen (N) status to optimize fertilizer N management has been proposed as a means of optimizing yield of spring wheat while minimizing environmental N losses. This study determined the effect of the rate and time of fertilizer N application on the grain yield, grain protein, and apparent recovery of fertilizer N in grain and in the above-ground plant for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in 2001–2003, and evaluated the use of a SPAD-502 meter to measure crop N status in spring wheat. Sixteen N fertility treatments were used, including application of different rates of fertilizer N (0–160 kg N ha-1) applied pre-seeding (ZGS 0), at tillering (ZGS 21) and at shooting (ZGS 32) as ammonium nitrate. Split N application provided no benefit in terms of grain yield or apparent recovery of fertilizer N. Application of fertilizer N at ZGS 32 reduced crop yield and apparent recovery of fertilizer N compared with N application at ZGS 0. Application of fertilizer N at ZGS 21 reduced yield and apparent recovery of fertilizer N in grain in 2 of 3 yr, but had no effect on apparent recovery of fertilizer N in the above-ground plant. Delayed fertilizer N application generally increased grain protein. Fertilizer N can be applied at ZGS 21 as required to optimize grain yield provided at least some fertilizer N is applied prior to seeding; however, crop N status cannot reliably be assessed at this time using a SPAD-502 meter. Crop N status can be assessed at ZGS 32 using a SPAD-502 meter; however, fertilizer N application at this time primarily influences grain protein rather than grain yield. These results highlight the need for a means of predicting soil N mineralization potential in order to optimize grain yield in humid environments where carry-over of soil nitrate from the previous growing season is limited. Key words: Triticum aestivum; N mineralization; soil N supply; SPAD-502 meter, leaf chlorophyll index

The effect of stubble management and N-fertilization practices on the nitrogen economy under intensive rice cropping

Soil Research ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 685 ◽  
Author(s):  
PE Bacon ◽  
LG Lewin ◽  
JW McGarity ◽  
EH Hoult ◽  
D Alter
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Oryza Sativa L ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Rice Crop ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
N Application ◽  
Total N

The fate of 15N-labelled fertilizer applied to rice (Oryza sativa L) was studied in microplots established within two field experiments comprising a range of stubble levels, stubble management techniques, N application rates and times. The first experiment investigated uptake of soil and fertilizer N in plots where application of 0 or 100 kg N ha-1 to the previous rice crop had produced 11.5 and 16.1 t ha-1 of stubble respectively. The stubble was then treated in one of four ways-burn (no till); burn then cultivated; incorporated in autumn or incorporated at sawing. Microplots within these large plots received 60 kg ha-1 of 5% 15N enriched urea at sowing, just prior to permanent flood (PF), or just after panicle initiation (PI) of the second crop. The second experiment was undertaken within a field in which half of the plots had stubble from the previous three rice crops burned, while the other plots had all stubble incorporated. In the fourth successive rice crop, the two stubble management systems were factorially combined with three N rates (0, 70 or 140 kg N ha-1) and three application times (PF, PI or a 50 : 50 split between PF and PI). Nitrogen uptake and retention in the soil were studied within 15N-labelled microplots established within each of these large plots. Only 4% of the 15N applied at sowing in the first experiment was recovered in the rice crop, while delaying N application to PF or PI increased this to an average of 20% and 44% respectively over the two experiments. The doubling of N application rate doubled fertilizer N uptake and also increased uptake of soil N at maturity by 12 kgN ha-1. Three years of stubble incorporation increased average uptake of fertilizer and soil N in the second experiment by 5 and 12 kg N ha-1 respectively. In both experiments, the soil was the major source of N, contributing 66-96% of total N uptake. On average, in the fourth crop, 20% of fertilizer N was in the grain, 12% in the straw and 3% in the roots, while 23% was located in the top 300 mm of soil. A further 3% was in the soil below 300 mm. The remaining 39% was lost, presumably by denitrification.

scholarly journals Assessment of Fertilizer Management Strategies Aiming to Increase Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Wheat Grown Under Conservation Agriculture

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Santillano-Cázares ◽  
Fidel Núñez-Ramírez ◽  
Cristina Ruíz-Alvarado ◽  
María Cárdenas-Castañeda ◽  
Iván Ortiz-Monasterio
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Agronomic Efficiency ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
N Management

Sustainable crop production systems can be attained by using inputs efficiently and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) parameters are indirect measurements of sustainability of production systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of selected nitrogen (N) management treatments on wheat yields, grain and straw N concentration, and NUE parameters, under conservation agriculture (CA). The present study was conducted at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), in northwest, Mexico. Seventeen treatments were tested which included urea sources, timing, and methods of fertilizer application. Orthogonal contrasts were used to compare groups of treatments and correlation and regression analyses were used to look at the relationships between wheat yields and NUE parameters. Contrasts run to compare wheat yields or agronomic efficiency of N (AEN) performed similarly. Sources of urea or timing of fertilizer application had a significant effect on yields or AEN (p > 0.050). However, methods of application resulted in a highly significant (p < 0.0001) difference on wheat yields and agronomic efficiency of N. NUE parameters recorded in this study were average but the productivity associated to NUE levels was high. Results in this study indicate that wheat grew under non-critically limiting N supply levels, suggesting that N mineralization and reduced N losses from the soil under CA contributed to this favorable nutritional condition, thus minimizing the importance of N management practices under stable, mature CA systems.

Soil tests for predicting nitrogen supply for grassland under controlled environmental conditions

2014 ◽  
Vol 152 (S1) ◽  
pp. 82-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. T. MCDONALD ◽  
C. J. WATSON ◽  
R. J. LAUGHLIN ◽  
S. T. J. LALOR ◽  
J. GRANT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
N Uptake ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Soil Tests ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Supply ◽  
Supply Potential ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
N Management ◽  
Over Time

SUMMARYMineralized soil nitrogen (N) is an important source of N for grassland production. Some soils can supply large quantities of plant-available N through mineralization of soil organic matter. Grass grown on such soils require less fertilizer N applications per unit yield. A reliable, accurate and user-friendly method to account for soil N supply potential across a large diversity of soils and growing conditions is needed to improve N management and N recommendations over time. In the current study, the effectiveness of chemical N tests and soil properties to predict soil N supply for grass uptake across 30 Irish soil types varying in N supply potential was investigated under controlled environmental conditions. The Illinois soil N test (ISNT) combined with soil C : N ratio provided a good estimate of soil N supply in soils with low residual mineral N. Total oxidized N (TON) had the largest impact on grass dry matter (DM) yield and N uptake across the 30 soil types, declining in its influence in later growth periods. This reflected the high initial mineral N levels in these soils, which declined over time. In the current study, a model with ISNT-N, C : N and TON (log TON) best explained variability in grass DM yield and N uptake. All three rapid chemical soil tests could be performed routinely on field samples to provide an estimate of soil N supply prior to making N fertilizer application decisions. It can be concluded that these soil tests, through their assessment of soil N supply potential, can be effective tools for N management on grassland; however, field studies are needed to evaluate this under more diverse growing conditions.

Timing and rates of nitrogen fertiliser application on seed yield, quality and nitrogen-use efficiency of canola

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 167 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Ma ◽  
A. W. Herath
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
N Balance ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
N Application ◽  
Leaf Stage ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Utilisation Efficiency

Effective management strategies for nitrogen (N) fertiliser are important to ensure optimum seed yields and seed quality of canola (Brassica napus L.) crop production. A field experiment was conducted for 3 years in Ontario, Canada to determine the (i) impact of different rates and timing of application of N fertiliser on canola yield and quality; and (ii) fertiliser-N economy, including agronomic N-use efficiency (aNUE), N-uptake efficiency (NupE), N-utilisation efficiency, partial N balance and N harvest index. Treatments included factorial combinations of six (2011) or eight (2012 and 2013) rates of N as urea (46% N) and timing of application (pre-plant only or preplant plus side-dressed applications at the 6-leaf stage). Side-dressed N application resulted in significant improvements in seed yield and protein concentrations (up to 16%) over equivalent preplant-only applications. The highest seed yield (2700 kg ha–1 in 2011 and 3500 kg ha–1 in 2013) was produced by the treatments including side-dressing: 50 + 50 kg N ha–1 or 50 + 100 kg N ha–1 (preplant + side-dressing). Seed protein concentrations varied from 21% to 23% in 2011 and 2013 and up to 28% in 2012. On average, the sum of protein and oil concentrations was 65–68%. Oil yield increased with increasing N rates in 2011 and 2013, but significant increases were recorded only when N was side-dressed at the 6-leaf stage. Drought conditions in 2012 negated responses to N fertiliser regardless of when it was applied. In general, aNUE and N-utilisation efficiency were decreased with increasing N fertiliser rates, but NupE varied among environments with increasing preplant and side-dressed N application. Side-dressed N applications after preplant application resulted in higher partial N balance, aNUE and/or higher NupE than comparative preplant-only N applications. Overall, side-dressed N application led to improved crop N uptake and better N economy of canola production in eastern Canada.

Effect of growing season rainfall and tillage on the uptake and recovery of 15N-labelled urea fertilizer by spring wheat in a semi-arid environment

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
S S Malhi ◽  
Y K Soon ◽  
S Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Rainfall Distribution ◽  
Total N ◽  
Fertilizer N Recovery ◽  
Semi Arid

Growing season rainfall affects fertilizer N recovery, particularly in semi-arid environments. However, the influence of rainfall distribution during the growing season is not well-understood. We conducted a 7-yr study (from 1997 to 2006) to assess this effect, and that of no-till (NT) vs. conventional tillage (CT), on fertilizer N recovery by spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fertilized with 15N-labelled urea at 40 kg N ha–1 and grown on stubble on a Dark Brown Chernozem soil in Saskatchewan, Canada. Two of the seven experimental years had growing season rainfall close to normal, one was above normal and four were below normal. Tillage treatment did not affect 15N recovery by wheat; however, 15N recovery in the top 15 cm of soil averaged 47% under NT vs. 39% under CT (P = 0.02). Total N and 15N uptakes were most affected by "year" due to variation in growing season rainfall distribution. Excluding an ultra-low value of 3.8% (or 1.5 kg N ha–1) in 2002, due to extreme drought, 15N recovery by wheat averaged 47.5% (range 30–57%), and percent N derived from fertilizer was 12–20%. Rainfall in May correlated significantly with 15N and total N uptake (r = 0.605 and 0.699, respectively). The recovery of 15N in wheat head correlated negatively with June rainfall (r = –0.624), probably because more moisture increased soil N mineralization, which diluted the 15N pool. During grain filling, soil N uptake was 12–30 kg ha–1, compared with negligible amounts (< 7%) of 15N; however, about 15 kg ha–1 of 15N were remobilized vs. 34–74 kg ha–1 of soil N. It is concluded that, in this semi-arid region, fertilizer N uptake is influenced more by rainfall in May than other months of the growth period.Key words: 15N-labelled urea, fertilizer N recovery, N uptake, rainfall, remobilized N, tillage

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