Fall Wheat Nitrogen      

Where is your fall wheat nitrogen?

With parts of Gilliam County experiencing a normal to wetter than normal winter, soil moisture recharge has been significant.  In some locations, that has resulted in the movement of nitrogen deeper into the soil profile.  In fields where the wheat development is behind the normal growth stage, this raises concerns about how much nitrogen is actually available for the shallow plant roots for uptake.

A fall research trial site just north of Condon was soil sampled last October 23rd (prior to planting).  The sample test results (for two depths) indicate soil fertility levels, as well as plant available soil moisture at that time.  10 pounds of nitrogen was subsequently banded below the seed between paired rows using a direct seed air drill at planting time. 

The same trial site was again soil sampled on March 7th.  The sample test results (again for two depths) indicate the present soil fertility and plant available water in the soil profile.  The test shows that total nitrogen is 61% of what it was in the fall, and nitrate nitrogen has moved deeper into the soil profile.

Agri Check 3-7-06 soil test LowN (pdf file)

Agri Check 10-23-05 soil test LowN (pdf file)

visits since 03/21/2006