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Slow Release Nitrogen
Has a Place in Kentucky Wheat Fields
By
Laura Skillman
 PRINCETON,
Ky., (Oct. 3, 2007) – One of the biggest challenges wheat
farmers face is the timely application of nitrogen fertilizer to
wet soils. Recent advances in slow release nitrogen fertilizer
may be the answer, based on recent studies by University of
Kentucky College of Agriculture scientists.
In 2002, Greg Schwab and Lloyd Murdock, soil scientists and
members of the UK Wheat Science Group, began working with the
then-experimental polymer-coated nitrogen product and have
conducted subsequent studies. The new fertilizer was designed to
reduce nitrogen loss from soil in corn production, but the two
UK extension specialists thought it also held promise in the
state’s wheat fields.
“Timely nitrogen fertilizer applications on wheat are often
difficult because of wet soil conditions in the early spring,”
Schwab said. “By protecting the urea inside a high-tech plastic
shell, it became possible to apply nitrogen to wheat in January
without any significant reduction in yield or increased nitrogen
loss compared to the common practice of applying two
applications in the spring.”
The experimental product, manufactured by Agrium Inc., is now
commercially available in the state on a limited basis as ESN
(Smart Nitrogen). The plastic polymer controls the release of
nitrogen, making it available as the crop needs it and reducing
nitrogen loss to the environment through leaching,
volatilization and denitrification`. Schwab said Kentucky
producers quickly are adopting ESN, especially for wheat on
wetter soils.
ESN usually costs about 10 cents more per pound of nitrogen. So,
if a producer applies 100 pounds per acre, it would cost about
$10 more per acre. Depending on how the farmer normally
fertilizes, there could be one less trip through the field,
resulting in savings of about $6 to $7 per acre. In addition,
the producer can generally cover more acres per day with a dry
product like ESN.
“Wheat producers like ESN because it increases the nitrogen
fertilizer application window making it easier to avoid soil
wetness while reducing the number of trips through the field,”
he said. “Because ESN limits environmental nitrogen loss and
decreases the amount of fuel required to produce wheat, it is
beneficial to everyone.”
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Contact: Greg Schwab, 859-257-9780
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The UK College
of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension
to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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