Spatial variability in soil nitrogen dynamics after prescribed burning in Ohio mixed-oak forests

This study describes the results of the application of a single dormant season prescribed fire to two southern Ohio forest sites for the purposes of restoring the ecosystem functional properties that existed in these sites prior to major human intervention (clearcutting, fire suppression, and atmospheric deposition). Each forest site was composed of three contiguous watershed units, two of which were burned in April of 1996. The forest sites differed in soil pH and available litter mass prior to the fires, and in both sites pH and available inorganic N varied among landscape positions such that inorganic C increased with increasing longterm soil moisture potential (measured as the GIS-derived Integrated Moisture Index [IMI] developed for this region). The fire temperatures at 10 cm above the litter surface were generally 150–300°C, and 29–80% of the litter was consumed, depending on site and landscape position. Soil solution total inorganic N (TIN) present one month after the fires did not differ significantly from that present prior to the fires in either burned or unburned watersheds, but was consistently greater in mesic landscape positions than in more xeric ones. N mineralization potential and organic C content varied both among fires and landscape positions. At the site which burned at higher intensity, soil N mineralization and TIN were both decreased by fire. At the less intensely burned site, fire resulted in increased TIN in the soils from the more xeric landscape position, and greater soil organic C in soils from the intermediate soil moisture areas. Path analysis produced models for fire-induced changes in C and N dynamics capable of explaining 26–69% of the observed variation using combinations of landscape and fire behavior. Losses of N to volatilization from these single fires were generally < 1 kg N/ha, and thus could not be expected to ameliorate the effects of atmospheric N deposition in these sites.     

Soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics in a fragmented landscape experiencing forest succession

Forest fragmentation is an increasingly common feature across the globe, but few studies examine its influence on biogeochemical fluxes. We assessed the influence of differences in successional trajectory and stem density with forest patch size on biomass quantity and quality and N transformations in the soil at an experimentally fragmented landscape in Kansas, USA. We measured N-related fluxes in the laboratory, not the field, to separate effects of microclimate and fragment edges from the effects of inherent biomass differences with patch size. We measured net N mineralization and N₂O fluxes in soil incubations, gross rates of ammonification and nitrification, and microbial biomass in soils. We also measured root and litterfall biomass, C:N ratios, and δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N signatures; litterfall [cellulose] and [lignin]; and [C], [N], and δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of soil organic matter. Rates of net N mineralization and N₂O fluxes were greater (by 113% and 156%, respectively) in small patches than in large, as were gross rates of nitrification. These differences were associated with greater quantities of root biomass in small patch soil profiles (664.2 ± 233.3 vs 192.4 ± 66.2 g m⁻² for the top 15 cm). These roots had greater N concentration than in large patches, likely generating greater root derived organic N pools in small patches. These data suggest greater rates of N cycling in small forested patches compared to large patches, and that gaseous N loss from the ecosystem may be related to forest patch size. The study indicates that the differences in successional trajectory with forest patch size can impart significant influence on soil N transformations in fragmented, aggrading woodlands.     

Simulating Spatial Nitrogen Dynamics in a Forested Reference Watershed, Hubbard Brook Watershed 6, New Hampshire, USA

We demonstrate that available information on spatial heterogeneity in biotic, topographic, and climatic variables within a forested watershed, Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) Watershed 6, New Hampshire, USA, was sufficient to reproduce the observed elevational pattern in stream NO₃ concentration during the 1982–1992 period. Five gridded maps (N mineralization factor, N uptake factor, precipitation, elevation, and soil depth factor) were created from spatial datasets and successively added to the spatially explicit model SINIC-S as spatially varying input parameters. Adding more spatial information generally improved model predictions, with the exception of the soil depth factor. Ninety percent of the variation in the observed stream NO₃ concentration was explained by the combination of the spatial variation of the N mineralization and N uptake factors. Simulated streamflow NO₃ flux at the outlet point was improved slightly by introducing spatial variability in the model parameters. The model exhibited substantial cell-to-cell variation in soil N dynamics and NO₃ loss within the watershed during the simulation period. The simulation results suggest that the spatial distributions of forest floor organic matter and standing biomass are most responsible for creating the elevational pattern in stream NO₃ concentration within this watershed.     

苜蓿和老芒麦生草对苹果园土壤氮素矿化的影响

采用PVC管原位培养法,研究了苹果园行间生草,肇东苜蓿（Medicago sativa‘Zhaodong’）和老芒麦（Elymus sibiricus）对土壤氮素净矿化作用及物候期间的变化特征,并进一步分析净硝化作用和净氨化作用特征及其与土壤因素之间的关系。结果表明：土壤氮素矿化作用主要以硝化作用为主,氨化作用比重很小。测试期间,0 ~ 15 cm土层中,自然生草土壤的氮素净硝化速率为0.30 mg · kg-1 · d-1,老芒麦土壤为0.68 mg · kg-1 · d-1,苜蓿土壤最低,为0.28 mg · kg-1 · d-1。不同草种的氮素矿化主要在开花期完成,苜蓿土壤中开花期的土壤氮素净矿化速率分别为营养期和果实期的3.4倍和1.6倍,老芒麦则分别为1.8倍和3.0倍。老芒麦土壤中C/N比影响着氮素硝化能力,15 ~ 30 cm土层土壤的氮素矿化相对较弱。种植老芒麦后土壤氮素矿化能力明显提高,而苜蓿土壤中硝化速率降低。     

Estimated nitrogen use efficiency,surplus, and partitioning in young apple trees grown in varied organic production systems

A certified organic apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) orchard was established to study the interaction of ground cover management systems (GMS) and nutrient sources (NS) on nitrogen (N) use efficiency and N surplus in the Southern U.S. for three years. Trees treated with green compost (GC) and wood chips (WC), regardless of the NS, had greater N accumulation and leaf N use efficiency compared to the shredded paper or mow-and-blow treated trees. The WC-treated trees had comparably low N surplus relative to the GC trees that induced more [NO₃⁻] in soil or soil solution in the rooting zone in September in year 3. GC trees had the highest [NO₃⁻] mineralization in the soil during winter. GMS had greater overall effects on the tree response variables than did the NS.     

Regional modeling of grassland biogeochemistry using GIS

We used an ecosystem coupled to a Geographic Information System (GIS) to simulate spatial variability in storage and fluxes of C and N within grassland ecosystems. The GIS contained information on driving variables required to run the model. These were soil texture, monthly precipitation and monthly minimum and maximum temperatures. We overlayed polygon maps of the above variables to produce a driving variable map of our study region. The final map had 768 polygons in 160 unique classes. The ecosystem model was run to a steady state for each class and NPP, soil organic matter (SOM), net N mineralization and trace gas emission were mapped back into the GIS for display. Variation in all of the above propertiees occurred within the region. NPP was primarily controlled by climate and patterns followed spatial variation in precipitation closely. Soil organic matter, in contrast, was controlled largely by soil texture within this climatic range. Error associated with aggregation within the study area showed that spatial averages over the study area could be used to drive simulations of NPP, which is linearly related to rainfall. More spatial detail had to be preserved for accurate simulation of SOM, which is nonlinearly related to texture. Mechanistic regional models form a valuable link between process studies and global models.     

Nutrient flows and land use change in a rural catchment: a modelling approach

Due largely to unprecedented land-use changes in the Porijõgi River catchment (southern Estonia) losses of nutrients and organic matter have decreased significantly. During the period 1987–1997 abandoned lands increased from 1.7 to 10.5% and arable lands decreased from 41.8 to 23.9%. At the same time, the runoff of total-N, total-P, SO₄ and organic matter (after BOD₅) decreased from 25.9 to 5.1, 0.32 to 0.13, 78 to 48, and 7.4 to 3.5 kg ha^–1 yr^–1, respectively. The most significant decreases occurred in agricultural subcatchments while the changes were insignificant in the forested upper course catchment. A simple empirical model which incorporates land-use pattern, fertilization intensity, soil parameters and water discharge accurately described the variations of total-N and total-P runoff in both the whole catchment and its agricultural subcatchments (R ² varies from 0.95–0.99 for N to 0.49–0.93 for P). In small agricultural subcatchments the rate of fertilization is found the most important factor for nitrogen runoff, whereas in larger mosaic watersheds land use pattern plays the main role. Seven alternative scenarios compiled on the base of the empirical model allow to forecast potential nitrogen and phosphorus losses from the catchment. This information can be used in further landscape and regional planning of the whole region.     

Soil C and N Content Under Evolving Landscapes in an Arid Inland River Basin of Northwest China

The state of a landscape is primarily reflected by its soil nutrients and organic matter status, which in turn are related to the type, size and number of landscape elements or patches. Evolving landscape patterns inevitably cause an evolution in ecosystem functionality. In particular, in arid regions, gained, lost and existing soil N and C pools have important ecological implications. The impacts of evolving landscapes in the middle reaches of the Heihe River basin of northwest China on soil organic C and N losses were assessed by both quantitative and computer modelling methods. In the period 1987-1997, patch transitions of the regions evolving landscapes have been predominantly characterized by a farmland expansion of 1.510³ km², and the desertification of 15.12% of existing farmlands into desert. As the result of such changes, alpine steppe and piedmont warm and desert steppe decreased by 43.9% and 2.72% respectively, whereas, plain swamp meadow and gobi and sandy desert increased by 13.2% and 10.77%, respectively. Consequently, soil organic matter and N contents decreased significantly in most landscape patches. In the study region, over these ten years, net soil organic C and N losses reached 5.30 Gg and 0.51 Gg, respectively, a pattern repeated over the entire arid inland region of northwest China, due to similar hydrological resources and patterns of regional development. Large soil C and N losses caused by landscape changes will inevitably result in significant new environmental problems.     

Effects of nitrate,ammonium and chloride application on the yield and nitrate content of soil-grown lettuce

Summary

The effect of nitrogen availability and nitrogen form on the yield and nitrate content of butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata L.) grown in soil under greenhouse conditions was studied. The extent to which chloride application can reduce nitrate content by supplying the plant with an alternative osmotically active anion, and whether the presence of ammonium in the soil is a necessary prerequisite for an effect of chloride, was also examined. Reducing NO₃-N availability from 260 to 200 kg N ha^–1 significantly reduced nitrate content while head fresh weight was unaffected. Further reducing NO₃-N availability to 120 kg N ha^–1 significantly reduced both nitrate content and fresh weight. Substituting 40% of the available NO₃-N with NH₄-N significantly reduced nitrate content while fresh weight was unaffected. The effect of NH₄-N application on plant nitrate content was enhanced by the application of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD). Despite increasing chloride uptake, the application of chloride had no significant effect on head fresh weight or nitrate content when available nitrogen was in the nitrate form irrespective of the level of nitrogen application. Chloride application similarly had no effect on head fresh weight or nitrate content when applied together with ammonium without the nitrification inhibitor DCD, despite a greater uptake of chloride. Where both ammonium and DCD were applied, however, chloride application significantly reduced head nitrate content.     

应用BaPS技术研究双氰胺及硫对苹果园土壤尿素的硝化抑制效应

 在大田条件下应用气压过程分离法（BaPS）研究了双氰胺（DCD）和双氰胺与硫配合施用（DCD + S）对苹果园土壤氮素的硝化抑制效应。结果表明：施肥后40 d内,N + DCD和N + DCD + S处理的土壤NH₄⁺-N含量均高于N处理（对照）。N + DCD处理在6 ~ 20 d显著高于N处理;N + DCD + S处理直到30 d时仍显著高于N处理,比只施DCD的处理硝化抑制作用延长了10 d。两个添加硝化抑制剂处理土壤NO₃^--N含量显著低于N处理,降幅达18.72% ~ 58.91%。与N处理（对照）相比,N + DCD和N + DCD + S处理明显降低了土壤总硝化速率和反硝化速率,试验前期差异最大,进一步证实了硝化抑制剂可以有效地抑制NH4+-N向NO₃^--N的转化。     

Die Eignung unterschiedlicher Komposte im Vergleich zu Stallmist für die organische Düngung in der Baumschule

For three years the influence of biowastecompost, greencompost and farmyard manure (horse) on several soil properties and on the growth of Ligustrum vulgare L. were investigated on a sandy soil with about 3% organic matter. The following treatments were carried out: 200, 400 and 800 dt/ha farmyard manure and corresponding amounts of biowastecompost and greencompost to result in equal amounts of applied organic carbon as well as no addition of organic fertilizer. Frequency of application was also investigated: only once within three years and twice within three years, i.e. the organic fertilizers were given again before the second culture of Ligustrum vulgare L. after two years.There were no significant differences in soil organic matter between the treatments and the untreated plots.Already for the 200 dt/ha-treatments the amount of N given with the organic fertilizer was much higher than the uptake of most of the tree nursery plants. The mineralization of N from the biowastecompost and the farmyard manure increased the mineral N-Content of the soil compared to the untreated plots. The mineralization was biggest for the 400 dt/ha treatment. The mineralized N was not taken up by the plants. For the greencompost the mineralization was smaller compared to the untreated plots. Immobilization took place, which was for the 200 and 400 dt/ha treatments in part compensated by the mineralization of N from the organic matter of the soil.Plant growth was slightly increased for the greencompost. This was attributed to lower water tensions during times of high water tensions. The greencompost used in this experiment can be recommended as a good substitute for farmyard manure.     

Alternative spatial resolutions and estimation of carbon flux over a managed forest landscape in Western Oregon

Spatially-distributed estimates of biologically-driven CO₂ flux are of interest in relation to understanding the global carbon cycle. Global coverage by satellite sensors offers an opportunity to assess terrestrial carbon (C) flux using a variety of approaches and corresponding spatial resolutions. An important consideration in evaluating the approaches concerns the scale of the spatial heterogeneity in land cover over the domain being studied. In the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, forests are highly fragmented with respect to stand age class and hence C flux. In this study, the effects of spatial resolution on estimates of total annual net primary production (NPP) and net ecosystem production (NEP) for a 96 km² area in the central Cascades Mountains of western Oregon were examined. The scaling approach was a simple `measure and multiply' algorithm. At the highest spatial resolution (25 m), a stand age map derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery provided the area for each of six forest age classes. The products of area for each age class and its respective NPP or NEP were summed for the area wide estimates. In order to evaluate potential errors at coarser resolutions, the stand age map was resampled to grain sizes of 100, 250, 500 and 1000 m using a majority filter reclassification. Local variance in near-infrared (NIR) band digital number at successively coarser grain sizes was also examined to characterize the scale of the heterogeneity in the scene. For this managed forest landscape, proportional estimation error in land cover classification at the coarsest resolution varied from –1.0 to +0.6 depending on the initial representation and the spatial distribution of the age class. The overall accuracy of the 1000 m resolution map was 42% with respect to the 25 m map. Analysis of local variance in NIR digital number suggested a patch size on the order of 100–500 m on a side. Total estimated NPP was 12% lower and total estimated NEP was 4% lower at 1000 m compared to 25 m. Carbon flux estimates based on quantifying differences in total biomass stored on the landscape at two points in time might be affected more strongly by a coarse resolution analysis because the differences among classes in biomass are more extreme than the differences in C flux and because the additional steps in the flux algorithm would contribute to error propagation. Scaling exercises involving reclassification of fine scale imagery over a range of grain sizes may be a useful screening tool for stratifying regions of the terrestrial surface relative to optimizing the spatial resolution for C flux estimation purposes.     

Biologische Bodeneigenschaften in Obstbau- und Baumschulbetrieben bei ökologischer und integrierter Bewirtschaftung und verschiedener organischer N-Düngung

In organic farming only organic N-fertilizers are allowed. They have to be mineralized by soil biota before they become effective for the plant. There are a number of different organic N-fertilizers offered commercially in order to allow for a precise management of the N-supply to plants in organic farming. We tested the effects of the fertilizers “Vinasse” (product resulting from sugar-beet molasses), “Haarmehlpellets” (pellets of grounded pig bristles), “Rizinusschrot” (grist of Ricinus communis seeds), “Phytopearls” (from maize conversion), “Maltaflor” (malt germs and “Vinasse”), “Horndünger” (horn parings) and manure on soil respiration, soil animal feeding activity, earthworm abundance, microbial biomass and the C_mic/N_mic-ratio in tree nurseries and apple fruit production under organic vs. integrated management respectively. The investigations were part of a two year lasting project regarding yield effects and N-turnover that has already been reported in this journal (vol. 48/3: Dierend et al. 2006a, 2006b, Schacht et al. 2006). Significant differences between fertilized plots and unfertilized control plots were observed only at one of the four sites (Jork, organic fruit production) in soil respiration and in soil animal feeding activity. There were no significant differences in the soil biological parameters between plots that had received different types of organic fertilizers. There were also no significant differences between different levels of fertilizer application which were ranging from 30 to 135?kg N/ha. The soils from the four investigation sites differed significantly in their biological status. At the tree nurseries there were only few earthworms (ca. 15/m²) and a low microbial biomass (105 ... 190?mg C_mik/kg dry soil). The soils under fruit production were more intensively colonized by soil organisms, according to the lower degree of soil disturbance in these cultures. In tree nursery as well as in fruit production the soils under organic management had higher microbial biomasses and a wider ratio of C to N in the microbial biomass compared to their counterparts with integrated management. This is indicating that there is a stronger tendency to incorporate additional N into the microbial biomass in the organically managed soils. If there is a high activity of (endogeic) earthworms the nutrients are quickly remobilized and so become available for the plants.     

Effect of nitrogen form and rate on elemental content and growth of pyracantha,cotoneaster and weigela

The effects of N form and rate on elemental content in Cotoneaster dammeri, C.K. Scheid. ‘Royal Beauty‘, Pyracantha coccinea Roem. ‘Wyatti’ and Weigela florida Bunge were studied. Total N concentration was dependent on the N form applied, with greater N concentrations occurring when NH₄N was employed. In both experiments, Mn-deficiency symptoms were apparent on plants treated with NO₃N, and Mn tissue concentrations were suppressed with these treatments. Potassium, Ca and Mg concentrations were highest when plants were treated with NO₃N. Iron and P concentrations were unaffected by N form, regardless of taxa.     

Dry-washes determine gene flow and genetic diversity in a common desert shrub

Context

In deserts, many plant species exhibit a patchy spatial distribution within a harsh habitat matrix, where the likelihood of propagule dispersal among patches is uncertain, but may be promoted by landscape corridors or dispersal vectors.

Objectives

We examine the connectivity of a representative desert plant species (Acacia (Senegalia) greggii), and the ability of three major factors (animal dispersal agents, water flow along dry-washes, and climate) to facilitate dispersal within four watersheds in the Mojave National Preserve.

Methods

We genotyped 323 individuals sampled across 22 one-hectare sites using ten nuclear microsatellite markers.

Results

A hierarchical AMOVA revealed no significant differentiation among watersheds (F _RT = 0.00, P > 0.10), and very little genetic structure among all sites (F _ST = 0.03, P < 0.001), indicating regional connectivity. Mantel tests indicated distance along dry-washes best explained genetic distance between sites (r = 0.47, P < 0.05) when compared to Euclidean distance (P > 0.05), a distance measure based on rodent dispersal (P > 0.05), and a distance measure avoiding inhospitable climate (P > 0.05). An AIC comparison of generalized linear models found that within site genetic diversity (H _E and allelic richness) and average relatedness were best explained by slope (which increases seed dispersal potential via water flow) and area of the upstream watershed (which determines the number of potential seed donors), rather than plant density or habitat suitability.

Conclusions

Together, these findings indicate that dry-washes are key landscape features that enhance dispersal and regional connectivity in this patchy desert plant.

     

Evolution of organic matter and drainages in wood fibre and coconut fibre substrates

New organic substrates have been introduced in hydroponic culture in order to substitute peat, because is a non-renewable resource, and in less rockwool or perlite due to their problematical recycling. The objective of this work is to evaluate the evolution of two renewable organic substrates, wood fibre (WF) and coconut fibre (CF) throughout one cultivation cycle. Two trials were set up, one with and a second one without crop. Volume, pH and EC of the input solution and the drainage solution were measured in both trials. In the trial without crop the content of NO₃⁻, Cl⁻, (SO₄)²⁻,Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, P and K⁺ was also determined. Physico-chemical characterization of the substrates was determined at the beginning and at the end of the trials. In order to know the loss of organic matter (OM), the dry matter content of the substrates was determined at the beginning and at the end of both trials. It has been observed that in both substrates retention of elements like NO₃⁻, Ca²⁺, P and Mg²⁺ occurs. In the study of the physico-chemical properties, it has been observed that the air capacity decreases considerably in both substrates in the trial with crop, especially in the CF, as well as a greater reduction of the C/N rate and percentage of OM. The data of organic matter loosed shows that in the trial with crop both substrates have lost more OM and this loss is slightly superior in CF. Therefore it is important to consider the possible retention of nutrients in the organic substrates to optimise cultivation management, as well as their degradability, which influences on the physico-chemical properties throughout the crop cycle.     

A Gis-derived integrated moisture index to predict forest composition and productivity of Ohio forests (U.S.A.)

A geographic information system (GIS) approach was used in conjunction with forest-plot data to develop an integrated moisture index (IMI), which was then used to predict forest productivity (site index) and species composition for forests in Ohio. In this region, typical of eastern hardwoods across the Midwest and southern Appalachians, topographic aspect and position (rather than elevation) change drastically at the fine scale and strongly influence many ecological functions. Elevational contours, soil series mapping units, and plot locations were digitized for the Vinton Furnace Experimental Forest in southeastern Ohio and gridded to 7.5-m cells for GIS modeling. Several landscape features (a slope-aspect shading index, cumulative flow of water downslope, curvature of the landscape, and water-holding capacity of the soil) were used to create the IMI, which was then statistically analyzed with site-index values and composition data for plots. On the basis of IMI values for forest land harvested in the past 30 years, we estimated oak site index and the percentage composition of two major species groups in the region: oak (Quercus spp.), and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) plus black cherry (Prunus serotina). The derived statistical relationships were then applied in the GIS to create maps of site index and composition, and verified with independent data. The maps show the oaks will dominate on dry, ridge top positions (i.e., low site index), while the yellow poplar and black cherry will predominate on mesic sites. Digital elevation models with coarser resolution (1:24K, 1:100K, 1:250K) also were tested in the same manner. We had generally good success for 1:24K, moderate success for 1:100K, but no success for 1:250K data. This simple and portable approach has the advantage of using readily available GIS information which is time-invariant and requires no fieldwork. The IMI can be used to better manage forest resources where moisture is limiting and to predict how the resource will change under various forms of ecosystem management.     

Estimating regional forest productivity and water yield using an ecosystem model linked to a GIS

We used the PnET-II model of forest carbon and water balances to estimate regional forest productivity and runoff for the northeastern United States. The model was run at 30 arc sec resolution (approximately 1 km) in conjunction with a Geographic Information System that contained monthly climate data and a satellite-derived land cover map. Predicted net primary production (NPP) ranged from 700 to 1450 g m² yr¹ with a regional mean of 1084 g m² yr¹. Validation at a number of locations within the region showed close agreement between predicted and observed values. Disagreement at two sites was proportional to differences between measured foliar N concentrations and values used in the model. Predicted runoff ranged from 24 to 150 cm yr¹with a regional mean of 63 cm yr¹. Predictions agreed well with observed values from U.S. Geologic Survey watersheds across the region although there was a slight bias towards overprediction at high elevations and underprediction at lower elevations.Spatial patterns in NPP followed patterns of precipitation and growing degree days, depending on the degree of predicted water versus energy limitation within each forest type. Randomized sensitivity analyses indicated that NPP within hardwood and pine forests was limited by variables controlling water availability (precipitation and soil water holding capacity) to a greater extent than foliar nitrogen, suggesting greater limitations by water than nitrogen for these forest types. In contrast, spruce-fir NPP was not sensitive to water availability and was highly sensitivity to foliar N, indicating greater limitation by available nitrogen. Although more work is needed to fully understand the relative importance of water versus nitrogen limitation in northeastern forests, these results suggests that spatial patterns of NPP for hardwoods and pines can be largely captured using currently available data sets, while substantial uncertainties exist for spruce-fir.     

Effects of source,rate, and frequency of N application on yield,marketable grades and rot incidence of sweet onion (Allium cepa L. cv. Granex-33)

In a field experiment in the 1988-89 season, fertilizer formulations of NH₄NO₃, Ca(NO₃)₂, NaNO₃, NaKNO₃, and KNO₃ as N sources were applied at 84 and 168 kg N ha^?1 to onion plots direct seeded in the fall. A second experiment in the 1990-91 season tested the same N sources, except KNO₃, at rates of 168 and 224 kg ha^?1. Application strategy involved both splitting the total amount of fertilizer over two periods of the growing season (October–December and January—April) and the application frequency. With medium and high application rates (168 and 224 kg ha^?1), NH₄NO₃, NaNO₃, and NaKNO₃, increased high-value jumbo and large onions (premium marketable grade). Increased premium grades was due to increased bulb size and weight. Only NH₄NO₃ and Ca (NO₃)₂ increased total onion weight when N rate was increased from 84 to 168 kg ha^?1. Less frequent applications of split amounts of 84 kg N ha^?1 reduced marketable weight in the 1988–89 season, but doubling the rate to 168 kg ha^?1 restored the higher yields. At 224 kg N ha^?1 in the 1990–91 season, differences in onion grades were more pronounced among the different N sources, and NH4 NO₃ was superior in producing jumbo and large size onions. High N rates (224 kg ha^?1) and more frequent applications of split portions also increased the weight of jumbo onions. Split applications, providing 33% of the total N in the first 12 weeks of the growth period plus three applications of 22% each in the second 12 week period, increased bulb size and maximized yield of premium marketable grades. Effect of N rate on onion rot was dependent on split methods of applying the N during early and late growth periods. However, reduction in onion rot by the split application strategy was dependent on N source. Bulb decay was highest with NH4NO₃ and least with Ca(NO₃)₂ and NaNO₃.