Assessing Crop Nitrogen Needs with Chlorophyll Meters

Summary:

One of the most difficult challenges facing farmers is to determine the appropriate fertilizer nitrogen (N) application rate. Regardless of source, most N in soil is eventually transformed to the nitrate (NO³) form. To minimize NO³ leaching, cropping systems and management practices must minimize excess NO³ in the soil and the potential for percolation below the root zone. The problem is basically one of synchronizing soil N availability (from all N sources) with crop N needs. This task is complicated because it is difficult to accurately predict climatic variables that influence crop growth, soil microbial activity, and NO³ leaching.

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