Maximizing Wheat Yields With Proper Nitrogen Management
go.ncsu.edu/readext?1044803
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲Nitrogen management is a critical factor in achieving optimal wheat yields. Normally the winter months bring a bit more rainfall to Sampson County increasing the need for nitrogen management. Nitrogen is very mobile in the soil and will leach out of the soil profile especially in sandy soils. Proper timing and application rates, combined with regular field scouting and tiller counts, can help to significantly enhance wheat yields.
Scouting wheat fields in late winter is essential to assess crop health and determine nitrogen needs. A key focus during this period is tiller counts. Tillers are the shoots that develop after the main stem, and each has the potential to produce a grain head. For wheat, achieving a target of 50–70 tillers per square foot by mid to late February is ideal for high yields. If tiller counts fall below this range, an early nitrogen application can stimulate additional tiller development. Conversely, excessive tiller counts (>90 per square foot) may indicate the need for less nitrogen. This will allow some of the excess tillers to die off and will help to prevent crowding and competition for resources. Also, it is better for tillers to die early on in the season since the plant has invested fewer resources in them.
Total nitrogen rates for wheat in North Carolina typically range from 100 to 120 pounds per acre, depending on soil type, tillage practices, and field history. Soil testing is crucial for determining residual nitrogen levels and ensuring accurate recommendations. Split applications reduce the risk of nitrogen loss due to leaching or denitrification while matching the crop’s growth needs. Research from NC State University emphasizes the benefits of split nitrogen applications for wheat.
General recommendations include:
- An early application (late January to early February): This helps promote tiller development if needed.
- A second application (typically late February to early March): This is critical for supporting head development and grain fill.
Nitrogen recommendations for wheat should always be based on scouting observations. Determine how many tillers are present and whether an early application needs to be made to produce more tillers or if there are too many in your wheat stand. Proper Nitrogen management can lead to an excellent crop and few wasted resources. The price of wheat (and other crops) being what they are, placing nutrients where they are needed and when they are needed can help farmers cut some cost by assuring the nutrients are used instead of leached from the soil.
