A summary of yield data comparing different nitrogen fertilizer sources in field experiments conducted by the Agronomy Department staff should provide information that will help answer some of the inquiries regarding the comparative value of some of the nitrogen fertilizers being marketed in Kentucky. Since the nitrogen rates per acre shown in all tables are ACTUAL NITROGEN the COST PER POUND OF NITROGEN in the different materials is an important consideration when evaluating the various products

Miller, Harold F.

Murdock, Lloyd W.

Wells, Kenneth L.

English

University of Kentucky

University of KentuckyUKnowledgeAgronomy Notes Plant and Soil Sciences6-1976Comparisons of Nitrogen Fertilizer Sources underKentucky Soil and Climatic ConditionsKenneth L. WellsUniversity of KentuckyLloyd W. MurdockUniversity of Kentucky, lmurdock@uky.eduHarold F. MillerUniversity of KentuckyRight click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits you.Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pss_notesPart of the Agronomy and Crop Sciences CommonsThis Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Plant and Soil Sciences at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in AgronomyNotes by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact UKnowledge@lsv.uky.edu.Repository CitationWells, Kenneth L.; Murdock, Lloyd W.; and Miller, Harold F., "Comparisons of Nitrogen Fertilizer Sources under Kentucky Soil andClimatic Conditions" (1976). Agronomy Notes. 120.https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pss_notes/120\-' -UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKYCOLLEGE OF AGRICULTURELexington, Kentucky 40~06COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICEYNOrESCOMPARISONS OF NITROGEN FERTILIZERSOURCES UNDER KENTUCKY SOIL AND CLIHATIC CONDITIONSK.L. Wells, Lloyd Murdock and Harold MillerVOL. 9 NO. 6 June, 1976tlI",.tirIA summary of yield data comparing different nitrogen fertilizer sources infield experiments conducted by the Agronomy Department staff should provideinformation that will help answer some of the inquiries regarding the compara-tive value of some of the nitrogen fertilizers being marketed in Kentucky.Since the nitrogen rates per acre shmm in all tables are ACTUAL NITROGEN the.COST PER POUND Q£ Bl-~QGEN in the dHferent materials is an important considera-tion when evaluating the various products.Keep in mind that in order to adequately conduct a sources of nitrogen study,there must be a good yi.eld response to the applicatIon of nitrogen. For thIsreason we always include a no-nItrogen treatment. If the no-nitrogen treatmentyields considerably less than the nHrogen treatments, then,we can validl.y comparethe effect of sources and rates ..• unless some other factors unduly affect theexperiment. So keep your eye on the no-nitrogen yi.eld levels and the magnitude ofresponse to applied nitrogen in looking over these data. Where little or noresponse was obtained, results for sources or rates of N mean very little ..>This yield data along with the information on sources in AGR-43 (Nitrogen inKentucky Soils) should be helpful in determining which nitrogen fertilizer isthe most practical source of nitrogen for the various management and croppingsystems.The CoUege 01 Agriculwre is atl EqutJI OPportunily Organization authorind '0 prQl'idt research, tdllcatiotUll.inff)rm~~·o"'lnd otht!r I€ruice3 only to indit'iduau and institlJri"n, that fundio" wilhout regard to rate, color, sex or nahorll11 O"61~UNIVER~I"Y OF KENTUCKY, U.S. DEPARTMENT or AGRICULTURE, AND K:;NTUCKY CQUNTIf:S, COOPERATING2COMPARISONS ON CORN .I. Nitrogen fertilizer broadcast and inunediately disked-in just before planting -Conventionally prepared seedbed (Tables 1 and 2) I, '"'-J'Table 1.Data by Harold Miller3 reps per' treatment619387121115AoNeUREAAoN.UREAof moisture limited production each yeara80801601601.1 LackPounds Poorly Drained So11 Well Drained So11NITROGEN Stendal s1. 1. Crider 81, 1. II.;;.P-=e.;;..r--,A",c=cI:.c°eo.- -=N:.....;;.S.;;..o"'ur"-"c.e"- ._-=2--'"".;;..Yr=-:A""V,-,(.;;:1;..9;..68=..--,6:.;9.k)_:--77_3-Yr_AV (1968-7a2::-__bu/A - - - - - - - - -7178768077Table 2.11 In 1974 material applied at a rate150 pounds of nHrogen per acrePoundsNITROGENPer Acrea100100100200200200N SourceSodium NitrateUREAA.N.Sodium NitrateUREAWell Drained SoilMountview s1.l.1971 1972 1973 1974 4 Yr AV- - - - bu/A - - - - - - - - - -64 118 47 60 72116 148 120 116 1:.1 125125 143 115 131 l.l 129122125 152 128 128 133134 150 134 131 137 (~J.35 ' ,.'41to supply,Data by W.W. Frye4 reps per treatmentII. Nitrogen fertilizer broadcast just after planting and left on the soiJ. surface(Tables 3. If and 5) /',/421401271342 Yr AVData by Harold Miller4 reps per treatmentPoorly Drained SoilMelvin s1.l.1973bulA -18145131139N Source 197265AoN. 134UREA 122Solution 128a100100100Table 3. Conventionally prepared seedbedPoundsNITROGENPer AcreTable 4. No-till planted41128IIIA.N.UREAa125125Pounds Moderately Well-Drained Moderately Well-DrainedNITROGEN Loring si.l. Tilsit si.l •.:;.P.;;:e.:;.r--'A"'c:=;r:..:e"- -=.:.N_S;;.0;;.u:=;r:..:c"'e=- -=1-=9.;;.7-=4 ~7.,. -=1",-974--,-__bulA - - - - ;7-174948II- Low yields due to late planting an0 early frost Data by John Ellis4 reps per treatment3417933llll131oSunmlary of 1975 trials (bu corn/A) - No-till and Conventional })Breathitt Coo Lincoln Co., Wol[~~o~ 9hio Co. Caldwell Co.No- Conv. No- No- Conv. No- Cony 0till till till till till till tillAPPLiED AT PLAHTING69 101Nitrogen Ib NSourc~e,- --lOper ATable 5.No NitrogenAl,'U."1. Nitrate 75 138 138Urea 75 126 141Solution 75 126 127Cal. ilium. Nitrate 75626212513015011010397109-------------------------------.--------------------_.------_._-----_.~-_._------,-----------J\1'lIm~ nitratelJrea125125101,101152131________. ._.w , .~ . •• . , ~ _AliUil. nieLate 150 144 139 9f, 121,Urea 150 144 151 76 153Solution 150 131, 146 149------------------------.----------------~~~~~~~-~~;~~~~;~;~-17-------------------------Amm. nitrate 75 137 132 97 170Urea 75 147 122 93 157Solution 75 132 130 100 148--------------_._-------_.._------_.-----------------------_.._- ....._------------------------Anult .. nitrate 150 132 167 121 184Urea 150 135 140 12:J 164~, Solution 150 143 11.3 l2U 209J;i Data [rom by Wells, ------------------"experiments Bitzer, Ellis, Hunlock and ~liller• 3-1, reps per tmt.l/ Soil type and drainage at sites were:,Count~ Soil type Soil DrainaJ1.~Breathitt Allegheny, loam Hell drainedLincoln I1clvin silt loam Pool-ly drai.nedHolfe Allegheny loam ),~11 drainedOhio Melvin silt loam 'Poorly drai.nedCaldwell Tilsit silt loam Mod. well drained~/ Delayed applicati.on was 5-7 weeks after planting.,(fragipan at 24 inches)COMPARISONS ON S~~L GRAIN76755664597667._---'2:...'11' _'_1"_N.J. BitzerData by K.L. \,ells and3 reps per treatmentN Source 197367A.N. 73Urea 68SolutionAoN. 82Urea 81SolutionA.N. 80Urea 85SolutionLatc February 0 r e~March t,~0:Lp~d~r~e"'sC's':'i:."n'_"gC_':0~n~B~a~r~1~e2y-'-...,__:_:_:__:;_--- _Well Drained SoilMaury si.l.lY75-----_.:=~- - - - - hu/A45Sf,5059695273726477o303D30606060909090 ~~~~~ ...:::.=__Table 6.PoundsNITROGENPer Acre,,456 53 5261 51 5558 55 556264 59 6167 61 646268 63 6566 61 6259Data by K.L. Wells and· M.J. Bitzer3 reps per treatmentTable 7. Late February or early MarchPoundsNITROGENPer Acre N Source 19730 4630 A.N. 523D Urea 513D Solution60 A.,.N ... 6160 Urea 61160 Solution90 A.N. 6590 Urea 59-2.Q Solutj.ontopdressing on IIHEATWell Drained SoilMaury s1.1-1974 1975- - - - bulA -3 Yr AVTable 8. Topdressing on WlIEAT applied March 26.PoundsNITlWGENPer Acre N SourceModerately Well-DrainedGrenada sL 1-1975Data Ly Harold lliller3 reps per treatmen~o3D A.N.3D Urea30 Solution60 A.N.__~60~ Urea,bulA213334374245COMPAJUSONS ON GRASS SODS:/ -GRASS YIELDS - LBS DRY ~~TTER PER ACRE_--,2=---=Yr AV22484045409255765091661060295069459064776223Split applicationsSourcellaterials broadcast on established BLUEGRASS and ORCHARDGl~SS sod.TreatlUents replicated 4 times. Harold Fo Miller _Well Drained SoilHaury si ... l.1972Table 90PoundsNITROGENPer Acre)j197Jo 2401 209550 AoN. 4052 403850 Urea 4033 U50100 AoN. 5719 :J43L100 Urea 5179 5002150 AoNo 7004 6216150 Urea 6188 587050-0-50 A.N. 5737 440150-0-50 Urea 5081 '.09950-50-50 A.N. 7023 5930..,.::;5::!.0=--5=cO~-::5C':0~ -"U.!cr-=ea~ --"670,-,,6,-- -=5.!-7,,,-30<.9_lei Initial application broadcast around the middle of March.applied in mid-March, er'ly June and mid-August.\ ,5151,2323068I,B56US67'1l5U:;U100100IUa15015(;ISG'l'able 10. Ual:el'ialB Lroadci.lGt OIl un oltl FL~CU;~ Bod ii<lrC'h JO. Area lost after harvesting__.-:.-.__-=-l~s~t_e~u=tt~·~",'n~!".,-,J,-,l~ll~le=-:~=-)!...,--,'I~'reatwolll" rep 1iea t ad I, t ii,leG • \laro 1d Hi11er .Pounds \lel1 lJrained ='--=~P~o~u'--n~d:=s=o'=:f~-------NITlWGEl'i Haury sL 1.. ilitrogcn inPer Acre Sourc"e=--_______ ...!~.oduction thru June 2 llerb,::1!;_c ilar~~~Bted _~/ 0 126050 A.IL 3231,Urea 266USolution 2632A.No 4419Urea 3566Solutioll 3U45A<U. 4523Urea 4150Solutiol~l .~ _'__ 4578~/ Materials applied March 30•Table II. Effect of date when N was applied on the agronomic effectiveness of urea as compared withammonium nitrate at the rate of 70 1bs N/acreYield of tall fescue (lbs dry matter/acre) 1/1973 1974 1975 3-Yr AvgDate N applied No N A.N. Urea No N A.N. Urea No N A.N. Urea No N A.N. UreaMid-March 2771 3780 4067 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 2771 3780 4067Early April 2771 4257 3904 1934 3938 3583 1442 3311 3154 2049 3835 3547Mid-April 2/ 1579 2971 3250 2017 4378 4437 1703 3791 3598 1766 3713 3762Early May - 2519 3187 3114 533 861 863 1541 3348 3018 2030 3268 3066Mid-May 1519 3046 2406 1520 2905 2667 1410 2467 2269 1483 2809 2447Early June 1119 2143 1833 1565 2820 2327 1662 2219- 2158 1449 2394 2106Mid-June 3/ 711 1784 1675 1300 2518 2093 2077 3274 2515 1363 2525 2094 ~Early Ju1Y3! 419 648 568 q127 2581 2319 1522 2608 2464 1324 2595 2392,lid-July - 3/ 332 682 554 tOOL 2357 2083 1065 1898 1588 1033 2128 1836Early August - 209 690 595 964 2413 1924 857 1578 1322 910 1996 1623Hid-August ---- ---- ---- 833 1812 1700 743 1157 1011 788 1485 1356Mid-September ---- ---- ---- 603 1830 1514 403 868 719 503 1349 1117Early October ---- ---- ---- 913 2433 2313 ---- ---- ---- 913 2433 2313data by Lloyd MurdockI/ For each treatment (date applied), grass was clipped to 2-inch height on date of N application, N"as broadcast over the plots, and the plots '~re harvested twice--at 30 days after N was applieda~~ again 90 days after N was applied. Yields shown are the total dry matter harvested from thetwo clippings (average 4 replications/treatnent).2/1/Yields sho'''' for 1974 represent only the dry matter regrowth harvested 90 days after N was applied(data for 30 day growth was lost).Yields shown for 1973 represent only the dry matter accumulated 30 days after N was applied (cattledestroyed the 60-day regrowth).g,;:;~,.n",,:',1r,-••, .7In 1~7J a study cOillparing tin.: effect of amMonium Hi trate and urea on the growthof fescue 'las initiated" A no-nitrogen treatment and 7U lb of nttrogen per acre asamm.oniUL'l nitrate and urea were applied at each treatment period" On each date ofapplication, these treatments were applied to n separate set of plots~ The nitrogen'-las applied to a separate set of plots, The nitro~cll Has applied around the firstand fifteenth of each r,lOuth, iJet>inning in lilid-Harch and ending early' October. Eachplot \vas harvcHtcd at 30 and 90 days after nitrogen application~ Hitro:.;en contentund yieldu were both determinedo Each treatment was replicated fout' th,les.The yields (see Table 11) and nj trogc'H contpnt (not shOlm). of the forage indicatethat more nitrogen ,vas taken up by the plant from ar:l\llonitu~l Ilitratc tt'l':Ul l1rea~PresUTll.ably this is due to a volatilization loss uf l1itro;~0.ll t:wt occurs \lhell urea ].5added 011 the soil surface" dose of this loss ,,,as apparent. "ith tLie first: iturvcGt },JUue30 <.lays afte.r upplicatiol1.. The y:i..ellis and nitrOGen contents of the GCCQwl hUl'vcut,~v ~ays after alJplication, sho'\-1 only a 811.:1.11 aUVLllttuL;e taVOriH~; al,ii,iOniul.l nitrate.The loss frOl,l urea \'las Greater when applied during the middle of Hay or later. InIOnapplied before the middle of May. the yield from the urea plots ,,,as 3% less tl1an thatof al\u,lonium nitrate. When added after this date, the difference is l3~;. Over theperiod of time studied, no difference was found iJetvlCen the nitrogen release rate ofammOl1iUtl III trate and urea ..l\nother study was conducted cor,lparing ammonium nitrate and urea as nitrogen sourcesduring the 1971 and 19'72 growing season on an estaiJlished iJluegrass-orchardgrass sod.II no nitrogen treatwmt along with rates of 50, 100, and 150 pounJs of actual nitrogenfrom each of the t\'lO sources was applied in Harch, In addition, split applications of50 pO\luds of nitrogen per acre in lJarch, again ill early June"after the first harvest,and a third application follmv'ing the seCOlltl Iwrvc!:it in early August for a total of150 pOUIH.lG durill~ the· grouillg season \verc includcd~ Each treatment \1aS repticatedfOUl" tilLlf;S 0/The annual dry matter production aUmg with the average yields for ti,e l~Jl and1972 are shown in table 8. The herbage was harvested three times each season andaverage yields in pounds of dry matter per acre for each treatment calculated. Theresults by cuttings shown in the folloHing graph show little evidence of urea beinga slower release source of nitrogen than an1r.1oniulll nitrate. II comparison 'of the yieldsfor the second and third harvest show little difference in nitrogen availaiJility fromthe two sources during the growing season, ",hen the soil is warm and microbial acti-vity is at its peak (see IIGR-43), lihere the rate of 50 pounds of nitrogen wasapplied in March, there was little yield increase over the no nitrogen plots forEIThER source after the first harvest in early June, Where the 100 and 150 poundrates Here applied in Harch there was some nitrogen response, about equal for bothsources, in the second harvest. The dry matter production was 1m" for the thirdharvest on all treatments except the split application indicating that neithersource of nitrogen at the rates of as llIuch as 150 I: N per acre applied in l1archwas effective in supplying the nitrogen needed for fall growth of grasses underKentucky clImatic conditions,Annual Dry Matter Production ofBluegrass - Orchard Grass Forage7000 >-6QOO I-Average 1971 and 1972 yields=~ 3rd Harvest - late October=2nd Harvest - early August5000 I-4000 _3000 I-2000 I-1st Harvest - early JuneL-- ~E-F==iI !I ! !I!I<ll <ll'"<ll.., .., u ..,'" '" '" '"1000 I- k k k U.., .., .., ..,'n 'n 'n 'nZ Z Z Z~ '" a '" [l '" a '"<ll"<ll"<ll"<ll'n k 'n u 'n k 'n k"::>"::>";:> c ;:>0 0 0 0! ! ! !No 5011 N 10011 N 15011 N 5011 N MarchN March March March 50,! N June50!} N Average~~,~,

Comparisons of Nitrogen Fertilizer Sources under Kentucky Soil and Climatic Conditions

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Comparisons of Nitrogen Fertilizer Sources under Kentucky Soil and Climatic Conditions

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