Nitrogen

Nitrogen (N) is the nutrient most often deficient for crop production in Minnesota, and its use can result in substantial economic return for farmers.

However, when N inputs to the soil system exceed crop needs, there’s a possibility that excessive amounts of nitrate may enter either ground or surface water. By effectively managing nitrogen, growers can produce crops in a more profitable and environmentally friendly way.

Basics of nitrogen

Understanding nitrogen in soils

• How nitrogen behaves in Minnesota soil systems.
• How to manage nitrogen for more profitable and environmentally friendly crop production.

Fertilizers and soil testing

Guide to using urea as a crop fertilizer in Minnesota

• How to apply and store urea.
• Urea basics, including its physical forms, advantages and ways it can be lost.

Fertilizer guidelines by crop

• Corn
• Soybean
• Alfalfa
• Sugarbeet
• Wheat
• Barley
• Birdsfoot trefoil
• Buckwheat
• Canola
• Clovers: Red clover and alsike clover
• Edible bean
• Grasses
• Grass-legume mixtures
• Oat
• Potato
• Rye
• Sunflower
• Wild rice

Nitrogen chemigation

Guide to using irrigation systems for nitrogen chemigation in Minnesota

• How to apply nitrogen: Sources, timing, rates, methods and safety guidelines.
• Irrigation systems and equipment, and how to calibrate.