Nitrogen

NitrogenNitrogen

• Everything you need to know and a little more!!!

Where does Nitrogen Where does Nitrogen Come From?Come From?

Nitrogen SourcesNitrogen Sources

• Atmospheric

• Biological

• Industrial

AtmosphericAtmospheric

• 78% of the Air We Breath is Nitrogen (N2)

BiologicalBiological(Bacteria)(Bacteria)

There are There are two typestwo types of “ of “Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria”Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria”

Free Living Bacteria(“fixes” 30% of N2)

Symbiotic Relationship Bacteria

(“fixes” 70% of N2)

Symbiotic Relationship Symbiotic Relationship Bacteria live in the roots of Bacteria live in the roots of legume plants and provide legume plants and provide the plants with the plants with ammonia ammonia (NH(NH33)) in exchange for the in exchange for the

plant’s carbon and a plant’s carbon and a protected home.protected home.

Legume plants

•Roots with nodules where bacteria live.

•Atmospheric Nitrogen changes into ammonia.

NH3

N

N

Industrial Industrial

• Common Nitrogen Types:– Anhydrous– Urea– Ammonium Sulfate– ESN– UAN– SuperU

How do plants use Nitrogen?How do plants use Nitrogen?

• Needs to be in the correct form for plants to update.

• Plants can not use Atmospheric N

• Needs to be Converted Before Plant can use it.– NH4 or Ammonia

– NO3 or Nitrates

Lets Look At the Nitrogen CycleLets Look At the Nitrogen Cycle

Industrial Nitrogen AppliedIndustrial Nitrogen Applied

How do they How do they make make

Anhydrous?Anhydrous?

How it is used?How it is used?

• Anhydrous– Typically applied in the fall– Stable at 40 degrees soil temp.– Highest concentration of nitrogen– Used to make all other types of Nitrogen– Stored under high pressure– Is liquid when it is compressed or cooled

How do they How do they make UREA?make UREA?

How is it used?How is it used?

• Urea– Granular form 46-0-0 or 46% Nitrogen– Used in:

• Starter Fertilizer• Sidedress Applications

– Starts breaking down as soon as it makes contact with soil.

• Can Volatile or Leach

– Can add products like Agrotain

What does Agrotain Do?What does Agrotain Do?

– http://www.agrotain.com/agriculture/english/index.html?p_id=1d

How do they make ESN?How do they make ESN?

• Take Urea and put a Polymer Coating on it.

• Reduces it from 46-0-0 to 44-0-0

ESNESN

• Coated Urea

• Slow Release Fertilizer

How is ESN used?How is ESN used?

• Typically it is applied pre-plant and incorporated.

• Releases nitrogen for 30-60 days.

• Eliminates the need to side-dress.

• Does not release when it is dry and/or cold.

• Helps to prevent Nitrogen losses from vitalization and/or leaching.

SuperU SuperU (like having Agrotain already impregnated on the (like having Agrotain already impregnated on the

Urea)Urea)

SuperUSuperU

• SUPER U inhibits the conversion of urea to ammonium and ammonium to nitrate

• Reduces losses: – Volatilization– Leaching– Denitrification

How do they make UAN?How do they make UAN?

• Forms: Liquid 28% or 32%

• Can be blended in Starter or Side-dressed

• Will burn the plant if applied post-emergent.