High crop variation could offer variable N rate opportunity for growers

Yield potential good

Yield potential of crops currently looks very good, says Mr Parrington. “Even canopy management is very important but keeping the crop green for as long as possible will also have a significant impact on final yield and quality; especially in oilseed rape.

“Later nitrogen application should take more account of fertility and yield potential which we do with a ‘reverse canopy’ model for final applications. It is important to adjust applications to even canopy and target yield potential. If not, the crop can run out of nitrogen and senesce before it reaches that potential.”

Mr Parrington says above average temperatures, a generally warm winter and consequently higher soil temperatures have meant that soil nitrogen has continued to mineralise this season. Even with the heavy rain experienced in some areas in March, this nitrogen is likely to be available to the crop for longer than is normal.

This may result in higher leaf area index (LAI) values, particularly in canopy within areas of the field which are naturally more fertile and hold more nitrogen such as valley soils and silt clays. LAIs in wheat varying between 0.5 and 1.7 are quite typical this spring meaning significant variation in crop nitrogen applications will also be required, he says.

Ten years of in field trials by Soyl have shown an average yield response of 4.6 per cent when comparing Soyl variable rate nitrogen with a flat rate policy, says Mr Parrington. “This is the average and typically we see even better yield responses when crop variation is high, like this season. At current crop prices the potential benefits are almost irresistible.”

Variable rate nitrogen costs between £2-9/ha depending on the area covered. The potential benefit equates to about £70/ha based on an average 4.6 per cent yield increase with wheat valued at £150/tonne, he adds.