Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A simple model for estimating the nitrogen fertilizer requirement of a cereal crop

  • Published:
Fertilizer research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A static model that predicts the nitrogen (N) fertilizer requirement of grain sorghum or wheat crops is described. Inputs required by the model are soil nitrate-N (kg ha−1) in the profile at sowing, total N (%) in the plough layer, available water in the profile at sowing (mm) plus rainfall during the growing season (mm). Output includes fertilizer N required for both maximum yield and optimum economic yield.

The model was tested by using published field data from Nebraska and Kansas (U.S.A.), South Australia and Northern Territory (Australia), and Saskatchewan (Canada). The model was accurate when no fertilizer N was required, and when large amounts were required, but quantitative prediction of moderate requirements was only fair. Predictions for grain sorghum were better than for winter wheat, probably because total water use was a better predictor of yield potential for grain sorghum than for winter wheat. Further refinement for specific environments should make the model practical for dryland cereal crops.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Allison FE (1966) The fate of nitrogen applied to soil. Adv Agron 18, 219–258

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bauer A, Young RA, and Ozbun JL (1965) Effects of moisture and fertilizer on yields of spring wheat and barley. Agron J 57, 354–356

    Google Scholar 

  3. Charles-Edwards DA (1982) Physiological determinants of plant growth. Academic Press, Sydney, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  4. de Jong E, and Rennie DA (1967) Physical soil factors influencing the growth of wheat. In K.F. Nielsen, ed. Canadian Centennial Wheat Symposium, pp 61–132

  5. Dreier AF, Olson RA, Vitosh ML, Frank KD and Grabouski PH (1964) Nebraska winter wheat and rye fertilizer experiments 1964. University of Nebraska, Outstate Testing Circular 114

  6. Dreier AF, Olson RA and Grabouski PH (1966a) Small grain fertilizer experiments in Nebraska 1965. University of Nebraska, Outstate Testing Circular 121

  7. Dreier AF, Olson RA, Flowerday AD, Grabouski PH, Daigger LA and Schwartz EG (1966b) Small grain fertilizer experiments in Nebraska 1966. University of Nebraska, Outstate Testing Circular 125

  8. Dreier AF, Olson RA, Grabouski PH, Daigger LA and Schwartz EG (1967) Small grain fertilizer experiments in Nebraska 1967. University of Nebraska, Outstate Testing Circular 128

  9. Dreier AF, Sander DH, Grabouski PH and Daigger LA (1969) Winter wheat and rye fertilizer experiments in Nebraska 1968. University of Nebraska, Outstate Testing Circular 133

  10. Frank KD, Grabouski PH, Olson RA, Penas EJ and Thompson CA (1964) Nebraska corn, soybean and grain sorghum fertilizer experiments 1963. University of Nebraska, Outstate Testing Circular 112

  11. Grimes DW and Musick JT (1959) How plant spacing, fertility, and irrigation affects grain sorghum production in southwestern Kansas. Kans St Univ Agric Exp Sta Bull 414

  12. Heapy LA, Robertson JA, McBeath DK, von Maydell UM, Love HC and Webster GR (1976a) Development of a barley yield equation for central Alberta. 1. Effects of soil and fertilizer N and P. Can J Soil Sci 56, 233–247

    Google Scholar 

  13. Heapy LA, Webster GR, Love HC, McBeath DK, von Maydell UM and Robertson JA (1976b) Development of a barley yield equation for central Alberta. 2. Effects of soil moisture stress. Can J Soil Sci 56, 249–256

    Google Scholar 

  14. Henry JL and Hogg TJ (1977) Soil-plant nutrient research report. Sask Inst of Pedol Rep No. M57

  15. Hoyt PB and Rice WA (1977) Effects of high rates of chemical fertilizer and barnyard manure on yield and moisture use of six successive barley crops grown on three gray luvisolic soils. Can J Soil Sci 57, 425–435

    Google Scholar 

  16. Jackson GD and Sims JR (1977) Comprehensive nitrogen fertilizer model for winter wheat. Agron J 69, 373–377

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kissell DE, Ritchie JT and Richardson CW (1975) A stress day concept to improve nitrogen fertilizer utilization: dryland grain sorghum in the Texas Blackland Prairie. Texas Agric Exp Sta Misc Publ — 1201

  18. Lamke WE, Thompson CA, Rhoades HF, Olson RA and Grabouski PH (1961) Corn and grain sorghum fertilizer experiments in Nebraska, 1960. University of Nebraska, Outstate Testing Circular 92

  19. Lamke WE, Grabouski PH, Heuermann DL, Rhoades HF, Olson RA and Thompson CA (1962) Corn and grain sorghum fertilizer experiments in Nebraska, 1961. University of Nebraska, Outstate Testing Circular 99

  20. Myers RJK (1978) Nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition of dryland grain sorghum at Katherine, Northern Territory. 1. Effect of rate of nitrogen fertilizer. Aust J Exp Agric Anim Husb 18, 554–563

    Google Scholar 

  21. Myers RJK (1983) Effect of plant residues on plant uptake and leaching of soil and fertilizer nitrogen in a tropical red earth soil. Fertilizer Research (in press)

  22. Myers RJK, Foale MA and Done AA (1983) Responses of grain sorghum to varying irrigation frequency in the Ord Irrigation Area. 2. Evapotranspiration, water use efficiency and root distribution of different cultivars. Aust J Agric Res (in press)

  23. Olson RV and Koehler FE (1968) Fertilizer use on small grain. In L.B. Nelson et al., eds. Changing patterns in fertilizer use, pp. 253–272. Madison, Wisc.: Soil Science Society of America

    Google Scholar 

  24. Prado O and Rodiguez J (1978) Estimacion de las necesidades de fertilizacion nitrogenada del trigo. Ciencia E Investigacion Agraria 5, 1–33.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Ramig RE and Rhoades HF (1963) Interrelationships of soil moisture level at planting time and nitrogen fertilizer on winter wheat production. Agron J 55, 123–127

    Google Scholar 

  26. Russell JS (1967) Nitrogen fertilizer and wheat in a semi-arid environment. 1. Effect on yield. Aust J Exp Agric Anim Husb 7, 453–462

    Google Scholar 

  27. Russell JS (1968a) Nitrogen fertilizer and wheat in a semi-arid environment. 3. Soil and cultural factors affecting response. Aust J Exp Agric Anim Husb 8, 340–348

    Google Scholar 

  28. Russell JS (1968b) Nitrogen fertilizer and wheat in a semi-arid environment. 4. Empirical yield response models and economic factors. Aust J Exp Agric Anim Husb 8, 736–748

    Google Scholar 

  29. Stanford G (1973) Rationale for optimum nitrogen fertilization in corn production. J Environ Qual 2, 159–166

    Google Scholar 

  30. Stanford G and Hunter AS (1973) Nitrogen requirements of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) varieties ‘Blueboy’ and ‘Redcoat’. Agron J 65, 442–447

    Google Scholar 

  31. Taylor AC, Storrier RR and Gilmour AR (1974) Nitrogen needs of wheat. 1. Grain yield in relation to soil nitrogen and other factors. Aust J Exp Agric Anim Husb 14, 241–248

    Google Scholar 

  32. Taylor AC, Storrier RR and Gilmour AR (1978) Nitrogen needs of wheat. 2. Grain yield response to nitrogenous fertilizer. Aust J Exp Agric Anim Husb 18, 118–128

    Google Scholar 

  33. Thompson CA, Rhoades HF, Warnes DD, Grabouski PH and Stukenholtz D (1963) Nebraska corn and grain sorghum fertilizer experiments 1962. University of Nebraska Agriculture Experiment Station Outstate Testing Circular 105

  34. Thompson CA (1975a) 1974 grain sorghum fertilizer report with summaries for prior years. Kansas Fertilizer Research Report of Progress — 1975, No. 255, pp 136–156

    Google Scholar 

  35. Thompson CA (1975b) 1974 winter wheat fertilizer research report. Kansas Fertilizer Research Report of Progress — 1975. No. 255, pp 5–23

    Google Scholar 

  36. Thompson CA (1976) 1975 grain sorghum fertilizer report with summaries for prior years. Kansas Fertilizer Research Report of Progress — 1976, No. 285, pp 121–143

    Google Scholar 

  37. Thompson CA (1979a) 1977 and 1978 winter wheat fertilizer report. Kansas Fertilizer Research Report of Progress — 1979. No. 373, pp 94–114

    Google Scholar 

  38. Thompson CA (1979b) 1977 and 1978 grain sorghum fertilizer report. Kansas Fertilizer Research Report of Progress — 1979, No. 372, pp 193–216

    Google Scholar 

  39. Thornley JHM (1978) Crop responses to fertilizers. Ann Bot 42, 817–826

    Google Scholar 

  40. Tucker BB and Bennett WF (1968) Fertilizer use on grain sorghum. In L.B. Nelson et al., eds. Changing patterns in fertilizer use, pp. 189–220. Madison, Wisc.: Soil Science Society of America

    Google Scholar 

  41. Vitosh ML, Frank KD, Grabouski PH, Olson RA and Hoover CA (1965) Nebraska corn, soybean and grain sorghum fertilizer experiments 1964. University of Nebraska Outstate Testing Circular 117

  42. Wagger M and Kissel DE (1980) Nitrogen relationships in winter wheat. Kansas Fertilizer Research Report of Progress No. 389:32–34

    Google Scholar 

  43. Wetselaar R (1967) Determination of the mineralisation coefficient of soil organic nitrogen on two soils at Katherine, N.T. Aust J Exp Agric Anim Husb 7, 266–274

    Google Scholar 

  44. Young RA, Ozbun JL, Bauer A and Vasey EH (1967) Yield response of spring wheat and barley to nitrogen fertilizer in relation to soil and climatic factors. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 31, 407–410

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures, 4067, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia

    RJK Myers

Authors
  1. RJK Myers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Myers, R. A simple model for estimating the nitrogen fertilizer requirement of a cereal crop. Fertilizer Research 5, 95–108 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01049494

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01049494

Key words

Search

Navigation