Absorption and utilization of N has been shown to be affected by the N form supplied and cultivar used. The relative absorption and utilization of NH4+−N and NO3−−N by triticale (X Triticosecale, Wittmack), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and rye (Secale cereale L.) have not been determined. This study was conducted to determine the growth and mineral composition of triticale 6TA 131, ‘Arthur’ wheat, and ‘Abruzzi’ rye grown in nutrient solutions containing different NH4+−N/N03−−N ratios in a growth chamber. The NH4+−N/NO3−−N ratios were 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0. Solutions were sampled every 10 days during a 30‐day plant growth period. Triticale and rye more preferentially absorbed N03−−N over NH4+−N than wheat which sometimes (50/50) absorbed more NO3 than NH4. All species produced higher dry matter with the combinations of 25/75, 50/50, and 75‐25 NH4+−N/NO3−−N ratios than with either N source alone. There were increases in the uptake of N, P, and Fe when NH4+−N/NO3−−N ratio was increased in the mixture whereas NO3−−N increased the uptake of Mg, Ca, Mn, and NO3−−N. These results suggested that the triticale inherited its absorption efficiency of NO3− from rye.
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Gashaw et al. (1981) studied this question.