Nitrogen fertilization of winter wheat in spring in Finland: comparison of calcium ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate, and the effect of split application

Oili Mohammadi,Stephan Vermeulen,Esko Viikari,Leena Ristimäki

doi:10.23986/afsci.72397

Abstract

The effectiveness of calcium nitrate (CN) and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) as N sources for winter wheat in spring was studied in seven field trials in Southern Finland, in the province of Uusimaa. The experiments were carried out on clay soils in 1986—1989. Nitrogen dressings of 120—150 kg ha-1 were broadcasted either as a single application or split into two applications. The two applications were in most cases 30—40 and 90 —110 kg ha-1. The single or the first split application was given in the beginning of the growing season and the latter application at the end of tillering. The grain yields obtained by a single N application of 140—150 kg ha-1 ranged from 2 610 to 7 550 kg ha-1 and the protein content of grains from 9.4 to 14.5 %. The nitrogen form of the fertilizer had no significant effect on the grain yield and on the protein content of grains. Splitting the nitrogen increased the grain yield by 400 kg ha-1 and the protein content of grains by 0.8 percentage points.

Highlights

Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is the most commonly used straight nitrogen fertilizer in Finland
The nitrogen of Calcium nitrate (CN) is in nitrate form, whereas CAN contains nitrogen in nitrate and in ammonium form in equal proportions
There are only few papers comparing the effect of CN and CAN on the grain yield of winter cereals in Finland or other Scandinavian countries

Summary

Introduction

Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is the most commonly used straight nitrogen fertilizer in Finland. There are only few papers comparing the effect of CN and CAN on the grain yield of winter cereals in Finland or other Scandinavian countries. Jaakkola (1978) compared five forms of fertilizer N in a five-year field experiment on winter wheat, winter rye and spring wheat; there was no difference in the effect of CN and CAN on the grain yield. The effect of CAN and CN on the grain yield of winter wheat has been compared in Sweden in a series of 97 trials; CN was found to be a more effective N source than CAN in the eastern and in the western part of Sweden, but not in the southern part (Jonsson 1971). The rate of nitrogen application in both trials (Jaakkola 1978, Jonsson 1971) was lower (75 and 60 Nkg ha-1 respectively) than used

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