Considerations for Nitrogen Applications in Spring Cereals

As the wheels have started turning and the spring cereals are going in the ground the question that continues to come up is how much nitrogen (N) should I apply? With spring cereals we know there is a balance between having enough nitrogen to maximize yield potential while avoiding lodging issues. However, OMAFRA’s current nitrogen guidelines for spring cereals are considered to be on the low side for the varieties that are available today along with our current management strategies (table 1). The current guidelines also do not take into account any potential fungicide by N interactions or the use of plant growth regulators (PGR).

Table 1: OMAFRA nitrogen guidelines for spring cereals.  Source: OMAFRA publication 811: Agronomy Guide.

Crop Nitrogen Rate <2,800 CHU Nitrogen Rates > 2,800 CHU
Spring Barley 63-81 lb/acre 40-54 lb/acre
Oats 32-45 lb/acre 50-68 lb/acre
Spring Wheat 63-91 lb/acre 63-91 lb/acre

As a result, research trials were conducted in barley, spring wheat and oats in 2014 and 2015 to determine the Maximum Economic Rate of Nitrogen (MERN) for these crops both with and without a fungicide application.  What that research found is that while there is an opportunity to push nitrogen rates further, where you are located and how you will ultimately manage the crop plays a part in what N rates should be applied.

Barley

In the trials conducted over two years in southern and eastern Ontario, there were no major yield differences between nitrogen rates when a fungicide was used versus when it wasn’t.  The MERN in southern Ontario for barley when a fungicide was used was 83 lb/ac and without a fungicide application the MERN was 80 lb/ac (Figure 1).  As we move to eastern Ontario, the nitrogen requirements for barley were much lower.  The study found that the MERN for barley without a fungicide application was 52 lb/ac while it was 57 lb/ac with a fungicide in eastern Ontario. Interestingly, the study did find a significant nitrogen by fungicide interaction in northern Ontario and much greater need to push those nitrogen rates higher.  The MERN with a fungicide was 127 lb/ac and without a fungicide the MERN is 100 lb/acre (Figure 2). The price of barley at the time of the study was $3.96/bu and nitrogen was $0.55/lb (https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/V12-2015CrpAdv_Cer1_Spring-Barley-Nitrogen-Response-By-Fungicide-Interactions.pdf).

Figure 1: Response of barley to nitrogen and fungicide applications in southern Ontario.
Figure 2: Response of barley to nitrogen and fungicide applications in northern Ontario.

Oats

A similar nitrogen-by-fungicide study was also conducted in oats. However, due to the need for fungicide applications in southern Ontario to protect against crown rust, treatments without fungicide were not included in the southern Ontario plots.  The MERN for oats in southern Ontario was found to be 67 lb/ac with a fungicide application (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Response of oats to various nitrogen rates in southern Ontario.

In eastern Ontario the MERN was 60 lb/ac. However, it should be noted that this is limited data and that in 2015 the trial was planted after red clover. It should also be noted that there was a significant response to fungicide applications. Lodging also became an issue at this rate so it is anticipated that if PGRs had been used the MERN would be higher for this region even after red clover.  Therefore, it is suggested that growers slowly increase their nitrogen rates in tandem with fungicide and PGR use.  In northern Ontario, the MERN was higher than at the other locations.  The MERN for oats with a fungicide application in northern Ontario was found to be 82 lb/ac, compared to 67 lb/acre without a fungicide application (Figure 4). The price of oats at the time of the study was $3.00/bu and N was $0.55/lb (https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/V12-2015CrpAdv_Cer2_Oat-Nitrogen-Response-Curve.pdf).

Figure 4: Response of oats to various nitrogen rates in northern Ontario.

Spring Wheat

In the southern Ontario spring wheat trial there was a significant interaction between fungicide applications and higher nitrogen rates. The MERN in southern Ontario without a fungicide application was 53 lbs/ac and with a fungicide the MERN was 93 lb/ac (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Response of spring wheat to fungicide and nitrogen applications in southern Ontario.

As we move to eastern Ontario, the response to fungicide applications wasn’t as great as what was found in southern or northern Ontario.  The MERN without a fungicide was 68 lb/ac and 77 lb/ac with a fungicide. In northern Ontario the MERN was 130 lb/ac with a fungicide and 98 lb/ac without a fungicide application.  The price of spring wheat at the time of the study was $5.62/bu and N was $0.55/lb (https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/V12-2015CrpAdv_Cer5_Spring-Wheat-Nitrogen-Response-x-Fungicide-Interactions.pdf).

Summary

While these trials indicate that N rates should be pushed higher in spring cereals, the studies were only conducted over two years with a limited number of locations (Table 2).  Therefore, growers should be cautious when increasing their N rates and do so according to their soil type, crop rotation, manure history, variety selection, etc. Further research into nitrogen rates in spring cereals continues.

Table 2: MERN for barley, oats and spring wheat in various regions across Ontario.

Southern Ontario

Nitrogen Rate lb/acre

Eastern Ontario

Nitrogen Rate (lb/acre)

Northern Ontario

Nitrogen Rate (lb/acre)

Without

Fungicide

With

Fungicide

Without Fungicide With Fungicide Without Fungicide With Fungicide
Barley 80 83 52 57 100 127
Oats 67 60 67 82
Spring Wheat 53 93 68 77 98 130

A PGR application may also be considered when applying higher N rates if lodging is a concern. Manipulator is now registered in oats and barley in addition to winter and spring wheat.  However, before making any applications growers should check with their end user to ensure it is ok to do so. If you are growing for livestock feed or seed, PGRs can be safely used.  The recommended timing and rate for Manipulator in spring wheat is GS 30-32 at 0.7L/ac and for oats and barley the recommended timing and rate is GS 30-32 at 0.9 L/ac.