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Utilization of15N-urea fertilizer by irrigated wheat in Zambia

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Abstract

A two year field study was conducted to assess the efficiency of urea-N use under various irrigation schedules and fertilizer N placement methods and application times. The field studies were conducted during the cool and dry season (May–October) at the National Irrigation Research Centre, Nanga, Zambia on a typic Haplustalf. Broadcast applications of 150 kg N ha−1 resulted in higher utilization and efficiency of fertilizer N use compared to placement of fertilizer in a narrow band 2.5 cm to the side of the seeding row. Maximum fertilizer utilization and grain dry matter yields, however, were obtained with split application of urea-N of which the initial portion was broadcast and incorporated prior to sowing or broadcast two weeks after sowing and topdressing was applied at tillering under a weekly irrigation schedule at which irrigation was applied at 70 percent of the total class A pan evaporation during the whole irrigation interval. The percent N derived from fertilizer was independent of fertilizer placement at various water regimes, thus leading to the conclusion that under the experimental, conditions N utilization was primarily a function of water availability.

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Author notes

  1. R. E. Karamanos

    Present address: Esso Chemical Canada, P.O. Box 3010, T1Z 4A9, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Renewable Resources, Macdonald College of McGill University, H9X 1CO, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada

    K. Munyinda & A. F. Mackenzie

  2. Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 0W0, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada

    R. E. Karamanos

Authors
  1. K. Munyinda
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  2. R. E. Karamanos
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  3. A. F. Mackenzie
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Contribution no R528 of the Saskatchewan Institute of Pedology.

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Munyinda, K., Karamanos, R.E. & Mackenzie, A.F. Utilization of15N-urea fertilizer by irrigated wheat in Zambia. Plant Soil 109, 199–205 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02202085

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02202085

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