Effect of growth stage and variety on spectral radiance in winter wheat

Before sensor‐based variable rate technology (VRT) can be used to reduce nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) spectral radiance readings must be understood. One prominent issue is the impact of crop growth stage on spectral radiance readings, and the ensuing problem of relating databases gathered at different locations and different stages of growth. In order to evaluate the impact of growth stage on spectral radiance, sensor readings were taken from a winter wheat variety trial and two long‐term N and phosphorus (P) fertility trials. The normalized difference vegetative index was computed using red and near infrared (NIR) spectral radiance measurements [NDVI=(NIR‐red)/(NIR+red)]. TotalNuptake in winter wheat at Feekes growth stages 4, 5, 7, and 8 was highly correlated with NDVI. In the variety trial, non‐significant differences in ND VI readings were noticed between the five common genotypes (by growth stage) grown in this region. However, slopes from linear regression of total N uptake on NDVI were different at different stages of growth, which suggests the need for growth stage specific calibration. Freeze injury (altered tissue color) affected the relationship between total N uptake and NDVI, however, NDVI continued to be a good predictor of in‐season total N uptake in wheat even though cell blasting altered tissue color. This work showed that NDVI is a good predictor of biomass, but not necessarily total N concentration in plant tissue. The amount of variability in total N uptake as explained by NDVI increased with advancing growth stage (Feekes 4 to 7), largely due to an increased percentage of soil covered by vegetation.     

Detection of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient status in winter wheat using spectral radiance

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are major limiting nutrient elements for crop production and continued interest lies in improving their use efficiency. Spectral radiance measurements were evaluated to identify optimum wavelengths for dual detection of N and P status in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A factorial treatment arrangement of N and P (0, 56, 112, and 168 kg N ha^‐1 and 0, 14.5, and 29 kg P ha^‐1) was used to further study N and P uptake and associated spectral properties at Perkins and Tipton, Oklahoma. A wide range of spectral radiance measurements (345–1, 145 nm) were obtained from each plot using a PSD 1000 Ocean Optics fiber optic spectrometer. At each reading date, 78 bands and 44 combination indices were generated to test for correlation with forage biomass and N and P uptake. Additional spectral radiance readings were collected using an integrated sensor which has photodiode detectors and interference filters for red and NIR. For this study, simple numerator/denominator indices were useful in predicting biomass, and N uptake and P uptake. Numerator wavelengths that ranged between 705 and 735 nm and denominator wavelengths between 505 and 545 nm provided reliable prediction of forage biomass, and N and P uptake over locations and Feekes growth stages 4 through 6. Using the photodiode sensor, NDVI [(NIR‐red)/(NIR+red)] and NR [(NIR/red)], were also good indices to predict biomass, and N and P uptake. However, no index was found to be good for detecting solely N and P concentration either using the spectrometer or photodiode sensor.     

NITROGEN FERTILIZATION OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM BASED ON IN-SEASON ESTIMATES OF YIELD AND PLANT NITROGEN UPTAKE

Current methods of determining nitrogen (N) fertilization rates in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are based on farmer projected yield goals and fixed N removal rates per unit of grain produced. This work reports on an alternative method of determining fertilizer N rates using estimates of early-season plant N uptake and potential yield determined from in-season spectral measurements collected between January and April. Reflectance measurements under daytime lighting in the red and near infrared regions of the spectra were used to compute the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Using a modified daytime lighting reflectance sensor, early-season plant N uptake between Feekes physiological growth stages 4 (leaf sheaths lengthen) through 6 (first node of stem visible) was found to be highly correlated with NDVI. Further analyses showed that dividing the NDVI sensor measurements between Feekes growth stages 4 and 6, by the days from planting to sensing date was highly correlated with final grain yield. This in-season estimate of yield (INSEY) was subsequently used to compute the potential N that could be removed in the grain. In-season N fertilization needs were then considered to be equal to the amount of predicted grain N uptake (potential yield times grain N) minus predicted early-season plant N uptake (at the time of sensing), divided by an efficiency factor of 0.70. This method of determining in-season fertilizer need has been shown to decrease large area N rates while also increasing wheat grain yields when each 1m² area was sensed and treated independently.     

Utilizing Existing Sensor Technology to Predict Spring Wheat Grain Nitrogen Concentration

Optimum grain nitrogen (N) concentration and yield in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can be problematic without proper N fertilizer management. Sensor-based technologies have been used for application of fertilizers and also to predict yield in wheat, although little has been done in the prediction of grain N. Field studies were conducted in South Dakota in 2006 (Gettysburg, Bath, and Cresbard) and 2007 (Gettysburg, Aurora, Leola, and Artas). There were five N treatments (0, 56, 112, 168, and 224 kg N ha^?1) applied pre-plant with a second N application applied foliar at anthesis. Sensor readings were taken at growth stages Feekes 10, anthesis, and postfoliar application using the GreenSeeker Hand Held optical sensor. Grain samples were taken at maturity and analyzed for total N. Using similar information collected in 2003 and 2005, a critical normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) value was determined using the Cate–Nelson procedure. The critical NDVI value needed to ensure optimum grain N was 0.70. In 2006 and 2007, the plots that received an application of N at anthesis had higher grain N than the plots not receiving N. There was also a significant response between applied N and grain yield. The results show that with further studies, the Greenseeker could be used to apply N to maximize yield and grain N in a precise and accurate manner.     

Optical Sensor‐Based Algorithm for Crop Nitrogen Fertilization

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) fertilization for cereal crop production does not follow any kind of generalized methodology that guarantees maximum nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The objective of this work was to amalgamate some of the current concepts for N management in cereal production into an applied algorithm. This work at Oklahoma State University from 1992 to present has focused primarily on the use of optical sensors in red and near infrared bands for predicting yield, and using that information in an algorithm to estimate fertilizer requirements. The current algorithm, “WheatN.1.0,” may be separated into several discreet components: 1) mid‐season prediction of grain yield, determined by dividing the normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) by the number of days from planting to sensing (estimate of biomass produced per day on the specific date when sensor readings are collected); 2) estimating temporally dependent responsiveness to applied N by placing non‐N‐limiting strips in production fields each year, and comparing these to the farmer practice (response index); and 3) determining the spatial variability within each 0.4 m² area using the coefficient of variation (CV) from NDVI readings. These components are then integrated into a functional algorithm to estimate application rate whereby N removal is estimated based on the predicted yield potential for each 0.4 m² area and adjusted for the seasonally dependent responsiveness to applied N. This work shows that yield potential prediction equations for winter wheat can be reliably established with only 2 years of field data. Furthermore, basing mid‐season N fertilizer rates on predicted yield potential and a response index can increase NUE by over 15% in winter wheat when compared to conventional methods. Using our optical sensor‐based algorithm that employs yield prediction and N responsiveness by location (0.4 m² resolution) can increase yields and decrease environmental contamination due to excessive N fertilization.     

Sap test to determine nitrate‐nitrogen concentrations in aboveground biomass of winter cover crops

Abstract

In the San Luis Valley of south central Colorado, winter cover crops (WCC) are used to reduce soil erosion and scavenge residual soil‐N. Some San Luis Valley farmers are beginning to use WCC as a source of over‐winter or early‐spring grazing. Common WCC used by farmers, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.) are reported to accumulate high levels of nitrate nitrogen (NO₃ ^‐‐N) in aboveground biomass that can be toxic to animals. Evaluation and calibration of a quick Cardy Meter² Sap Test (CMST) for determination of NO₃ ^‐‐N status in the field will facilitate the management of these WCC. Field and growth chamber studies were conducted to correlate the CMST with laboratory procedures and with plant and soil parameters. In field and growth chamber studies, the CMST was correlated with standard dry tissue NC₃ ^‐‐N laboratory analysis (P<.001) and with soil inorganic N content (P<.05). These field and growth chamber studies show that the CMST can be a tool in helping farmers identify fields where WCC aboveground biomass is accumulating potentially toxic levels of NO₃ ^‐‐N. Additionally, plant parameters such as nitrogen uptake, biomass, and grain yield of WCC grown under growth chamber conditions were correlated with the CMST readings conducted at the growth stage, Feekes five (P<.05). The growth chamber results suggest that if WCC are grown for grain production, the CMST can help identify the needs for additional nitrogen (N) fertilizer application at Feekes five.     

Use of a chlorophyll meter to evaluate the nitrogen status of dryland winter wheat

Abstract

Chlorophyll meter leaf readings were compared to grain yield, leaf N concentration and soil NH₄‐N plus NO₃‐N levels from N rate studies for dryland winter wheat Soil N tests and wheat leaf N concentrations have been taken in the spring at the late tillering stage (Feekes 5) to document a crop N deficiency and to make fertilizer N recommendations. The chlorophyll meter offers another possible technique to estimate crop N status and determine the need for additional N fertilizer. Results with the chlorophyll meter indicate a positive association between chlorophyll meter readings and grain yield, leaf N concentration and soil NH₄‐N plus NO₃‐N. Additional tests are needed to evaluate other factors such as differences among locations, cultivars, soil moisture and profile N status.     

Effect of row spacing,growth stage,and nitrogen rate on spectral irradiance in winter wheat

Soil reflectance affects spectral irradiance measurements taken in winter wheat at early stages of growth when percent cover is low. The objective of this study was to determine the critical percent vegetation coverage needed for forage nitrogen (N) uptake calibration with indirect spectral irradiance measurements. Two field experiments were conducted at Tipton and Perkins, OK in October 1996. The effect of row spacing (15.2, 19.0, 25.4, and 30.5 cm) and growth stage (Feekes 4 and 5) under various N fertilizer rates (0, 56, 112, and 168 kg N ha^‐1) on spectral irradiance measurements from wheat was evaluated. The normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) was used to characterize wheat canopy irradiance. In general, NDVI decreased with increasing row spacing and increased with N fertilizer rate at Feekes growth stage 4. Row spacing and N rate were independent of each other since no significant interaction was found. High correlation (r=0.81–0.98) was observed between NDVI and vegetation coverage. Percent vegetation coverage was a good predictor of the other dependent variables including forage dry matter, and total N uptake, which could indirectly be determined using NDVI. The coefficients of variation (CV's) from NDVI values decreased with increasing vegetation coverage suggesting that less variable NDVI values (CV less than 10%) might be obtained from plots where vegetation coverage exceeds 50%.     

Early season nitrogen accumulation in winter wheat

Cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) is widely used as a winter cover crop to conserve soil residual nitrogen (N) in the mid‐Atlantic region of the United States. Cereal rye, however, has agronomic drawbacks that may make other winter small grain crops more desirable alternatives. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a small grain that could substitute for cereal rye as a cover crop because it would give growers the flexibility of using it as a cover crop or growing it to maturity. There is currently little information on early season N accumulation of winter wheat cultivars, which is critical for the success of a small grain cover crop. To determine the degree of variation in early season N accumulation and early season biomass yield in soft red winter wheat in the mid‐Atlantic region, twenty‐five commercially available cultivars were evaluated at Beltsville, MD in the 1996/1997 and 1997/1998 growing seasons. Acereal rye cultivar ("Wheeler") was included as a cover crop control. Samples of plant tissue were taken at Feekes growth stage 5 and at physiological maturity each year. There were significant differences among cultivars for early season N accumulation and biomass yield. A large group of wheat cultivars had similar early season N accumulation and biomass yield as the cereal rye cover crop control. This suggests that some cultivars of winter wheat may be as effective as cereal rye as a winter cover crop. Early season N accumulation was highly correlated (r=0.90***) with early season biomass yield rather than with plant N content. These results indicate that soft red winter wheat has potential as a dual grain and cover crop and could be considered an alternative to cereal rye as a winter cover crop for conserving residual soil nitrogen in the mid‐Atlantic region of the United States.     

Diversified cropping systems in semiarid Montana: Nitrogen use during drought

Improved nitrogen use efficiency would be beneficial to agroecosystem sustainability in the northern Great Plains of the USA. The most common rotation in the northern Great Plains is fallow–spring wheat. Tillage during fallow periods controls weeds, which otherwise would use substantial amounts of water and available nitrogen, decreasing the efficiency of fallow. Chemical fallow and zero tillage systems improve soil water conservation, and may improve nitrogen availability to subsequent crops. We conducted a field trial from 1998 through 2003 comparing nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency of crops in nine rotations under two tillage systems, conventional and no-till. All rotations included spring wheat, two rotations included field pea, while lentil, chickpea, yellow mustard, sunflower, and safflower were present in single rotations with wheat. Growing season precipitation was below average in 3 of 4 years, resulting in substantial drought stress to crops not following fallow. In general, rotation had a greater influence on spring wheat nitrogen accumulation and use efficiency than did tillage system. Spring wheat following fallow had substantially higher N accumulation in seed and biomass, N harvest index, and superior nitrogen use efficiency than wheat following pea, lentil, chickpea, yellow mustard, or wheat. Preplant nitrate-N varied widely among years and rotations, but overall, conventional tillage resulted in 9 kg ha⁻¹ more nitrate-N (0–60 cm) for spring wheat than did zero tillage. However, zero tillage spring wheat averaged 11 kg ha⁻¹ more N in biomass than wheat in conventional tillage. Nitrogen accumulation in pea seed, 45 kg ha⁻¹, was superior to that of all alternate crops and spring wheat, 17 and 23 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Chickpea, lentil, yellow mustard, safflower, and sunflower did not perform well and were not adapted to this region during periods of below average precipitation. During periods of drought, field pea and wheat following fallow had greater nitrogen use efficiency than recropped wheat or other pulse and oilseed crops.     

Nitrogen concentrations in spring wheat at several growth stages

Abstract

Diagnosis of N deficiency in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is important in the North Central region because it is the principal grain crop and N is the nutrient most often limiting its growth. Plant analysis may provide a means by which this objective can be realized. This study was undertaken to establish N levels of sufficiency and deficiency in spring wheat at several growth stages. Five cultivars of spring wheat were grown in the field at rates of 0, 40, 80, and 160 kg/ha of N on a Maddock sandy loam (sandy, mixed Udorthentic Haploborolls) for two years. Plant samples were collected at Feekes growth stages 3, 5–6, 9–10, and 10.5–10.5.1. Nitrogen concentration trends in the plant tissue showed a rapid drop between stages 3 and 10.5–10.5.1. Nitrogen concentration growth curves exhibited a curvilinear pattern at stages 5–6, 9–10 and 10.5–10.5.1, and a linear relationship at stage 3. For the whole plant samples N concentrations of 5.2–5.6%, 4.2–5.1%, 2.4–3.5% and 1.8–2.6% at stages 3, 5–6, 9–10 and 10.5–10.5.1 were sufficient. For leaf blade samples N concentrations of 4.1–5.0% and 3.6–4.5% at stages 9–10 and 10.5–10.5.1 were sufficient. Cultivar effects on N concentration were sometimes significant but the effects were inconsistent between two seasons or within a given season.     

Relationship Between Coefficient of Variation Measured by Spectral Reflectance and Plant Density at Early Growth Stages in Winter Wheat

ABSTRACT

The use of by-plot coefficient of variation (CV) has not been evaluated in precision agricultural work. This study evaluated the relationship between CVs determined from normalized-difference vegetative index (NDVI) sensor readings, plant population, and sensing direction on NDVI values. Randomly selected plots, measuring 1 m² (2003) and 3 m² (2004), were established for this study. Plots in 2004 were divided into three 1 m² subplots with, 0 and 120 kg ha^?1 fall-applied N, and 80 kg ha^?1 topdress nitrogen (N). Sensor reading of subplots were taken at Feekes 5 and 7 using the Green Seeker hand-held sensor. Results showed that the relationship between vegetative RI (RI_NDVI) and harvest RI (RI_Harvest) improved with increasing CV values. The prediction of RI_Harvest was improved when CV was integrated into the RI_NDVI calculation. RI_Harvest can be better predicted with RI_NDVI when the CV of spectral radiance measurements is used in the RI_NDVI equation.     

Furrow diking and N management for dryland wheat production in permanent raised beds

The permanent bed planting system for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production has recently received additional attention. Studies using hard red spring wheat (cultivar Nahuatl F2000) were conducted at two locations in central Mexico. The studies included the installation of three furrow diking treatments, two granular N timing treatments and three foliar N rates applied at the end of anthesis. The objective was to evaluate the effect of these factors on wheat grain yield, yield components and grain N in a wheat–maize (Zea maize L.) rotation with residues of both crops left as stubble. Results indicated that diking in alternate furrows increased both grain yield and the final number of spikes per m². The split application of N fertilizer enhanced the number of spikes per m² and grain N uptake, but the effect on grain yield was inconsistent. Similarly, grain protein increased with the foliar application of 6 kg N ha^?1, depending upon the maximum temperature within the 10 days following anthesis. The normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) readings collected at four growth stages were generally higher for the split N application than for the basal N application at planting. Grain N uptake was associated to NDVI readings collected after anthesis.     

Soil pH and Exchangeable Cation Responses to Tillage and Fertilizer in Dryland Cropping Systems

Long-term use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers can lead to fertility-lowering soil chemical changes. To examine this in geologically young soils in the northern Great Plains of North America, we present near-surface (0–7.6 cm) soil chemistry data from 16 years of two crop rotations: continuous crop (CC; spring wheat [Triticum aestivum L.]—winter wheat [T. aestivum]—sunflower [Helianthus annuus L.]) and crop-fallow (C-F; spring wheat—fallow) that underwent factorial tillage (none, minimum, conventional) and N rate (low, medium, high) treatments. For CC, the N rate (but not tillage) had a significant effect on pH, with the high N rate leading to the largest pH decline (?0.76). The nitrogen rate also had a significant effect on cation exchange capacity (CEC) for CC, whereby CEC increased with the N rate. Managers utilizing high N rates should be aware of the potential for soil acidification, even in the northern Great Plains of North America.     

Aerial accumulation and partitioning of nutrients by hard red spring wheat

Abstract

Periods of maximum hard red spring (HRS) wheat (Jriticum aestivum L.) nutrient demand need to be determined in order to develop best nutrient management practices, and to provide data for nutrient uptake modeling. Aerial (aboveground biomass) whole plant samples of irrigated HRS wheat were collected from the field at 16 growth stages and separated into leaves, stems, heads, and grain for dry matter determinations and analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu concentrations. Accumulation curves were computed for each plant part for the growing season from compound cubic polynomial models based on accumulated growing degree units (GDUs). Total aerial accumulations of dry matter, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu were 14400, 116, 30.8, 103, 9.2, 9.3, 15.2, 32.3, 0.18, 0.58, 2.05, and 0.045 kg/ha, respectively. Grain at maturity accumulated greater than 78% of the total aerial N, P, and Zn, while it contained less than 20% of the aerial accumulated K, Ca, Cl, and Fe. Nitrogen and Fe were rapidly accumulated near 200 GDU, while P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Mn, and Cu were most rapidly accumulated near 600 GDU. Accumulation rates were 183, 2.9, 0.90, 0.72, 0.008, 1.41, 0.29, and 0.12 kg/ha/d for dry matter, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and Cl, respectively, and 136, 1.7, 0.48, 0.13, 0.004, 0.78, 0.20, and 0.02 g/ha/d, respectively, during grainfill. This plant information suggests the timing of in‐season nutrient applications, and when integrated with other agronomic practices could improve overall nutrient management for HRS wheat in the northern Great Plains.     

RED EDGE AS A POTENTIAL INDEX FOR DETECTING DIFFERENCES IN PLANT NITROGEN STATUS IN WINTER WHEAT

Under certain conditions normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) has low sensitivity; therefore red-edge position (REP) has been tested as an alternative vegetative index. The objective of this study was to determine if REP could be useful for detecting differences in N status for winter wheat compared to NDVI. A spectrometer, and the SPAD meter were used to measure N status. Sensitivity to plant N response and different growth stages was found for NDVI and REP, but NDVI sensitivity tended to decrease as N rate increased and REP sensitivity tended to increase with increased N rate and advancing growth stage. Both NDVI and REP were linearly correlated at all growth stages (r2 = 0.85). REP and SPAD meter readings were highly correlated (r2 = 0.62) as were NDVI and SPAD (r2 = 0.56). Overall, REP and NDVI sensitivity at high plant biomass were similar for winter wheat.     

Aerial accumulation and partitioning of nutrients by hard red spring wheat

Abstract

Periods of maximum hard red spring (HRS) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) nutrient demand need to be determined in order to develop best nutrient management practices, and to provide data for nutrient uptake modeling. Aerial (aboveground biomass) whole plant samples of irrigated HRS wheat were collected from the field at 16 growth stages and separated into leaves, stems, heads, and grain for dry matter determinations and analyzed for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), chloride (Cl), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) concentrations. Accumulation curves were computed for each plant part for the growing season from compound cubic polynomial models based on accumulated growing degree units (GDUs). Total aerial accumulations of dry matter, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu were 14400, 116, 30.8, 103, 9.2, 9.3, 15.2, 32.3, 0.18, 0.58, 2.05, and 0.045 kg/ha, respectively. Grain at maturity accumulated greater than 78% of the total aerial N, P, and Zn, while it contained less than 20% of the aerial accumulated K, Ca, Cl, and Fe. Nitrogen and Fe were rapidly accumulated near 200 GDU, while P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Mn, and Cu were most rapidly accumulated near 600 GDU. Accumulation rates were 183, 2.9, 0.90, 0.72, 0.008, 1.41, 0.29, and 0.12 kg/ha/d for dry matter, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and Cl, respectively, and 136, 1.7, 0.48, 0.13, 0.004, 0.78, 0.20, and 0.02 g/ha/d, respectively, during grainfill. This plant information suggests the timing of in‐season nutrient applications and, when integrated with other agronomic practices, could improve overall nutrient management for HRS wheat in the northern Great Plains.     

Response of texas bluegrass to season of nitrogen fertilization on the Louisiana coastal plain

Texas bluegrass (Poa arachnifera Torr.) has shown potential for use as a cool‐season perennial pasture grass in the southern Great Plains, where it occurs as a natural component of rangeland plant communities, and into the western Coastal Plain. Responsiveness of this grass to nitrogen (N) fertilization appeared to be limited to the spring growing period in initial evaluations in Louisiana. A field plot experiment was conducted to assess forage production and quality responses to season of N fertilization on the Syn‐1 population of Texas bluegrass. Winter forage production responses to 50 kg N ha^‐1 were obtained in the 1997–98 growing season but not in 1998–99 after stands had been depleted by summer drought. Greatest yield increases resulted from spring N application, however, fall plus winter fertilization provided the most uniform distribution of forage through the cool season. Forage fiber fractions, in vitro digestibility, and crude protein were not affected by N fertilization. Both amount and distribution of Texas bluegrass forage, but not forage quality, can be manipulated by time of N fertilization.     

Genetic variability in nitrogen utilization at four growth stages in soft red winter wheat

Studies were conducted to determine relationships among nitrate reductase activity (NRA), dry weight (DW), nitrogen (N) uptake, and N concentration in soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivwn L.). Data were collected for three growing seasons from field plots grown on a silt loam and one growing season on a sandy loam. Ten cultivars were measured under field conditions with plant samples taken at Feekes Growth Stages 6, 10, 10.5, and 11.1. NRA was measured using an in vivo assay method on fully expanded leaves representing the upper most part of the canopy. Results indicated that N uptake was highest during Stages 10.5 to 11.1, although not significantly different for all cultivars. Few differences were found among cultivars for N concentration. The NRA measured under field conditions was more stable at Growth Stage 6. Path coefficients between NRA and DW, N uptake, and N concentration varied considerably depending on the growth stage, indicating that selection for N utilization using one or more of the measurements evaluated in this study should consider the stage of growth.     

Response of Hard Red Spring Wheat to Copper Fertilization

To achieve optimum production of hard red spring wheat, growers should know if use of copper (Cu) in a fertilizer program is necessary. For this study, copper was broadcast and incorporated before planting in the sulfate or chelate form to supply both 6.7 and 13.4 kg Cu ha^?1 at six sites. The soils at the majority of the sites had a loamy fine sand texture with low organic‐matter content. Application of Cu increased grain yield at one site. Grain yield response, however, could not be predicted by amount of Cu extracted from soil by the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) procedure. Concentrations of Cu in whole plant tissue did not match those reported in the literature. The results of this study do not support the addition of Cu to a fertilizer program for production of hard red spring wheat on mineral soils in the northern Great Plains.