Denitrification and leaching are two of the primary factors that affect nitrogen deficiency. However, paying attention to the “right place” component of the 4Rs can help minimize yield loss due to nitrogen deficiency in a cost-effective way.
Denitrification explained
Soil microorganisms need oxygen for fuel. When the soil is very wet, water fills in the spaces between soil particles, leaving little room for oxygen. Some soil microorganisms can get the oxygen they need from the oxygen portion of the nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) forms of nitrogen. When this happens, nitrogen (N2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) gas are formed. These gases return to the atmosphere, and there is a net cycle in the soil. This process is called denitrification.
What is leaching?
When soil becomes excessively wet through rainfall, the soil will reach a point at which it cannot hold any more water. This happens because the air spaces between soil particles become filled with water. As these air spaces fill, gravity causes water to move down through the soil profile (the water can also pound or run off the surface of the soil). As water moves down through the soil, nitrogen can be carried with it. This is called leaching.
Why the “right place ” matters
Applying a flat rate of nitrogen to an entire field runs the risk of nitrogen loss in areas more at risk for denitrification and leaching. It can also lead to under-applying in areas of high-yield potential. By following the “right place” component of the 4Rs, you can cost-effectively supplement synthetic nitrogen fertilizer by prescriptively applying nitrogen-fixing solutions where they are needed most.
Managing soil nitrogen supply with Envita
Envita® is a nitrogen-fixing solution that allows farmers to supplement synthetic nitrogen. Applied in-furrow with the SIMPAS® application system, Envita enables cells throughout the plant — including those in the foliage and roots — to fix their own nitrogen. Envita can be applied in-furrow to multiple crops, including corn and soybeans, where it quickly establishes itself within the plant and grows with the plant as the plant grows.
Envita provides a constant, season-long supply of nitrogen from within the cells of the plant exactly where and when nitrogen is needed the most for yield. SIMPAS application of Envita ensures the right nutrients are applied at the right place at the right rate.
“With this biological, we’re really looking at another alternative, another tool to address variability in your field,” said Tom Tregunno, global product manager for Azotic Technologies. “Technology like the SIMPAS application system addresses areas known to be an issue year after year. Envita can help in areas that are consistently showing nitrogen deficiencies.”
The flexibility of the SIMPAS application system allows for prescription application of up to three products to correct multiple issues in one planter pass.
To learn more, visit www.SIMPAS.com.
Get More:
Solve yield loss due to widespread nematode pressure
Don’t forget about zinc: Prescriptively address zinc deficiencies in corn
Regenerate your soil from the micro level:
