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Utilizing f
Residual i
Nitrogen f
By KENNER LOVE Culpeper soil and Water Conservation District
Droughty conditions during thp summer reduced com yields in many areas of the Northern Piedmont. Significant amounts of residual nitrogen from pervious fertilizer applications should be available in thp upper soil horizons for small grain crops. *
Fields that are likely candidate^ are the ones that received high levels of fertilizer, manure, or sludge nitrogen and have produced low yields. *
Small grain crops can be used tb conserve soil and utilize residual soil nitrogen. If com is to be planted in the same fields in 1994 the small grain can take up the residual nitrogen and store it for the next year$ com crop. The nitrogen will be released once the cover crop in incorporated in the soil or killed for crop residue use. Small grains should bb planted as soon as possible after thf com is harvested to ensure the maximum amount of residual nitrogen is utilized by the small grain. »
Small grains grown for cash cab also effectively utilized residual nitrogen. Pre-plant nitrogen may be omitted if significant levels of residual nitrogen are available in the surface horizons. Fields should b£ tested for nitrogen levels with nitrogen testing kits to determine the amount of available nitrogen. Since nitrogen can quickly move out cjf surface soil horizons with rainfall, the test should be conducted just before planting. ' ‘
Significant levels of residual soO nitrogen exist in many fields. Careful management using small grain crops and soil nitrate testing can help growers to effectively utilize this resource and protect water quality. The Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation , District offers a BMP Cost Share Program which enables farmers to receive and incentive payment to plant small grain cover crops for nutrient management. The purpose is to protect the soil from erosion and utilize excess nutrients that were not used by the previous crops.
For more information call the District Office at 825-8591 of the Department of Conservation and Recreation at 347-6429.
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