Effects of ammonium sulphate and calcium nitrate on the growth, yield and nitrogen uptake of barley, wheat and oats

Abstract

Barley, wheat and oats were grown in field and in glasshouse-pot experiments without fertilizer-N, and with added ammonium sulphate or calcium nitrate. In the field fertilizers supplied 50 and 100 lb N/acre, in the glasshouse 100 and 200 lb N/acre (calculated from the surface area of the pots). Plant samples were removed at various stages, dry weights were measured, percentage N determined and N uptake calculated. Those taken after the ears had emerged were divided into ear and straw. The number of coleoptiles emerging and of ears in the later samples were counted. Soil samples were taken after removing the plants grown in the glasshouse, and analysed for ammonium and nitrate.