Rate and time of fertilizer nitrogen application on yield, protein and apparent efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen use of spring wheat

Use of an in-season measurement of crop nitrogen (N) status to optimize fertilizer N management has been proposed as a means of optimizing yield of spring wheat while minimizing environmental N losses. This study determined the effect of the rate and time of fertilizer N application on the grain yield, grain protein, and apparent recovery of fertilizer N in grain and in the above-ground plant for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in 2001–2003, and evaluated the use of a SPAD-502 meter to measure crop N status in spring wheat. Sixteen N fertility treatments were used, including application of different rates of fertilizer N (0–160 kg N ha - 1 ) applied pre-seeding (ZGS 0), at tillering (ZGS 21) and at shooting (ZGS 32) as ammonium nitrate. Split N application provided no benefit in terms of grain yield or apparent recovery of fertilizer N. Application of fertilizer N at ZGS 32 reduced crop yield and apparent recovery of fertilizer N compared with N application at ZGS 0. Application of fertilizer N at ZGS 21 reduced yield and apparent recovery of fertilizer N in grain in 2 of 3 yr, but had no effect on apparent recovery of fertilizer N in the above-ground plant. Delayed fertilizer N application generally increased grain protein. Fertilizer N can be applied at ZGS 21 as required to optimize grain yield provided at least some fertilizer N is applied prior to seeding; however, crop N status cannot reliably be assessed at this time using a SPAD-502 meter. Crop N status can be assessed at ZGS 32 using a SPAD-502 meter; however, fertilizer N application at this time primarily influences grain protein rather than grain yield. These results highlight the need for a means of predicting soil N mineralization potential in order to optimize grain yield in humid environments where carry-over of soil nitrate from the previous growing season is limited. Key words: Triticum aestivum; N mineralization; soil N supply; SPAD-502 meter, leaf chlorophyll index