Experiments evaluating aqueous ammonia, aqueous urea and a solution of ammonium nitrate and urea as nitrogenous fertilizers for winter wheat

Abstract

SummarySix experiments on winter wheat, three in 1974 and three in 1975, evaluated aqueous ammonia, aqueous urea and a solution of ammonium nitrate and urea, using ammonium nitrate granules as the standard. Aqueous ammonia and aqueous urea were injected 8–10 cm deep in bands either 25 or 50 cm apart during April. The ammonium nitrate/urea solution was sprayed and the ammonium nitrate granules were broadcast (a) partly in April and partly in May or (6) wholly in May. All were applied at 50, 75, 100 or 125 kg N/ha. Yields and % N in grain were measured and N removed by grain calculated. In two experiments lodging diminished yield and complicated the comparisons.Elsewhere, aqueous urea and aqueous ammonia were of similar value, and each gave a larger yield when injected in bands 25 rather than 50 cm apart. Both fertilizers gave yields similar to those from broadcasting the ammonium nitrate granules, but larger yields than from spraying the ammonium nitrate/urea solution. Yields were slightly larger when divided rather than single topdressings were given, but % N in grain and the amounts of N removed were smaller. Yields and % N in the grain were smallest when the ammonium nitrate/urea solution was sprayed. The other three fertilizers were each of greater value judged by N uptake, the ammonium nitrate granules having a slight advantage.