Reducing nitrogen losses through the use of Slow Release Fertilizer Products
Project Lead: Steve Watts (Genesis Crop Systems Inc.)
Soil Nitrogen Analysis and Nitrous Oxide Emissions Analysis completed by David Burton (Dalhousie University)
This BMP implements a series of split field trials to examine various slow release nitrogen (N) fertilizer products. Many growers are reluctant to reduce nitrogen application, as it is believed that the extra nitrogen helps the plants during times of moisture stress in drought conditions and/ or helps the plants if there are signs of Verticillium wilt. But in some cases potatoes are an inefficient user of inorganic nitrogen because the plants are heavy nutrient feeders with a shallow roots system; which can result in nitrogen leaching.
This BMP explores the effects of a slow release N fertilizer, so the nitrogen is released over a period of time as the plants need it. By doing this it minimizes the amount of times in and out of the field. The goal of this is to potentially reduce nitrate leaching and increase crop yield and performance.
6 farms are participating in this trial.
Number of Soil and Water samples collected during 2020 Growing season for this project:
- 72 soil samples
- 36 petiole samples
