As natural gas, and thus N fertilizer, prices increase, farmers are looking for ways to decrease N costs in farming operations. To potentially alleviate this cost burden, alternative synthetic N fertilizers are available as potential management tools for increasing crop yields and N use efficiency, and decreasing volatilization. In North Carolina specifically, little data exists on these new, synthetic N fertilizer products being marketed to farmers. Therefore, we undertook a study to compare them with aqueous urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) [(NH2)2CO, NH4NO3] during a 2‐yr field experiment. Corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown in the three physiographic regions of North Carolina with four fertilizer sources (NutriSphere [Specialty Fertilizer Products, Leawood, KS], Environmentally Smart Nitrogen Polymer Coated Urea or ESN [Agrium Inc., Alberta, Canada] UCAN‐23 [Yara, Tampa, FL], and UAN) at up to six fertilizer rates. The use of the alternative products did not regularly produce more corn or wheat grain compared to UAN, while wheat straw yield was greater with NutriSphere, UCAN, and UAN compared to ESN in three of four site years. Also, an aerobic incubation experiment was performed to evaluated N release profiles of the fertilizers at 25°C. The study found that NutriSphere and UCAN release time was similarly to UAN, while ESN showed a slower release profile. However, any difference in release did not affect yields of spring planted corn, NutriSphere and ESN increased corn stover yields in 3 of 6 site‐years. In determining whether to use these alternative N fertilizer products, farmers should consider location, climatic conditions, and fertilizer costs in comparison to UAN.
The nitrogen (N) release from coated urea fertilizers (Arborite and ESN), traditional N fertilizers [urea, (NH 2 ) 2 CO], and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) [(NH 2 ) 2 CO, NH 4 NO 3 ] in three North Carolina (USA) soils was measured throughout a 12-week laboratory incubation. Treatments were N source and moisture level (60% and 80% of field capacity). In both the Candor and Cecil soils, 40% of the Arborite N had released by day 2 after addition to the soil. Maximum Arborite N release was achieved by week 6 for both soils. The ESN N release began between weeks 1 and 2, and maximum release was attained by week 6 for the Candor and by week 8 for the Cecil soil. The ESN reached 70% release on Portsmouth by week 8 and Arborite had an immediate release. Field studies of these coated ureas would be needed to determine if they are economically viable over more traditional N fertilizers in North Carolina.
Slow release N fertilizers have potential to improve yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). A slow release urea formaldehyde polymer (UFP) was compared with aqueous urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) [(NH 2 ) 2 CO, NH 4 NO 3 ] during a 2-yr field experiment in North Carolina. Crops were grown on Candor (sandy, siliceous, thermic Grossarenic Kandiudults), Portsmouth (fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Umbraquults), and Cape Fear (fine, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Umbraquults) soils. Treatments were N source (UFP and UAN) and N rate (0, 50, 78, 106, 134, 162, and 190 kg N ha 21 for wheat and 0, 39, 78, 118, 157, 196, and 235 kg N ha 21 for maize). Both sources were band applied as a split application for wheat, whereas maize received UFP at planting and split application of UAN, which is the current standard practice. Based on years of research, NC producers' apply less than one-third of UAN at planting, with the remainder applied before the end of tillering (wheat) or at V4-6 (corn). For both crops and both sites, grain yield and NUE with UAN were statistically similar to or better than UFP. Laboratory incubations suggested UFP release of urea and urea hydrolysis were complete in less than 2 wk. Hence, UFP release was limited to a time scale of days, considered insignificant for summer crop (corn) growth conditions. Since the UFP did not significantly improve yield, UFP may only be economical if priced similar to UAN.
A gronomy J our n al • Volume 10 0 , I s sue 3 • 2 0 0 8 537 ABSTRACT Phosphorus from agricultural lands poses a problem in water resources. In 2003, more than 48% of soil samples submitted to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) soil testing laboratory tested very high in soil P (>120 mg dm -3 P). As soil test P increases, off -site P loss increases, through erosion, soluble P runoff , or leaching. On soils testing above high soil test P (60-120 mg dm -3 P), studies from the northeast and midwest United States demonstrate that no corn (Zea mays L.) or cotton (Gossypium spp.) yield response from additional fertilizer is expected. However, there have been limited studies on the eff ects of starter-P fertilizer on soils with very high P status in North Carolina and the southeast. Th erefore, we undertook a study in the three physiographic regions (coastal plain, piedmont, and mountains) of North Carolina to determine if the use of starter-P fertilizer would aff ect the growth of corn and cotton on soils having very high soil test P. Treatments were starter N and P, and starter N only. Treatment diff erences were not observed for corn, while the N-only treatment had greater tissue N than the N-and P-starter treatment in Piedmont cotton. Additionally, the use of only starter-N is typically more cost eff ective than using both N and P starter fertilizer. For production, environmental, and economic reasons, starter-P fertilizer is not warranted on North Carolina fi elds with very high soil test P values.
Cucumbers require adequate nitrogen (N) for growth and development. This study was undertaken to determine the most effective tillage system and N rate for hand-picked, processing, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production. Three tillage systems and five N fertilizer rates were compared for effects on yield, fertilizer N use efficiency (NUE), and effects on belly rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani. In both years conventional tillage had greater yields than no till and was greater than strip tillage one year. Cucumber NUE was not different between tillage systems or N rates; NUE averaged 35%. In one of two years, incidence of belly rot disease was greater under no till and increased with increasing N rate; in the other year, there was no affect of tillage on belly rot. In most years, conventional tillage for cucumbers will outperform strip tillage and no till.
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