Nitrogen Fertilizer Movement in the Soil as Influenced by Nitrogen Rate and Timing in Wheat Production, 1992

Abstract

Durum wheat was grown with deficient, adequate, and excessive rates of ¹⁵N-labeled nitrogen fertilizer in order to document fertilizer nitrogen movement in the soil with differing nitrogen management. Crop water use increased with nitrogen rate due to increased vegetative growth. The amount of excess water applied increased with a decrease in nitrogen rate. Soil bromide concentrations at harvest suggest that the maximum potential depth of leaching was 3 to 6 feet. Most of the fertilizer applied in this study was recovered in the top 2 to 3 feet of soil. Fertilizer nitrogen rate and timing resulted in some differences in recovery of labeled fertilizer in the soil and plant, but did not contribute significantly to the depth of fertilizer nitrogen leaching.