A series of on-farm trials will explore a range of alternative nitrogen inputs.
The industry is seeing increasing pressure to reduce nitrogen inputs and the price of synthetic N is on the rise, as well as the impending introduction of pricing for N-related nitrous oxide emissions.
This has prompted the Foundation for Arable Research’s (FAR) Growers Leading Change programme to set up the trials to investigate a range of alternative N products.
Project leader Donna Lill is looking for arable growers anywhere in New Zealand who are keen to be involved.
“We’re looking for growers who are either already using alternative sources of nitrogen in their crops or who are interested in trying out some of the options,” Lill said.
“The nitrogen sources we’re considering may be alternative-N products, N-fixing products, manures or legumes.”
Lill said the on-farm trials are really “try-outs” as they are not fully replicated.
They will start in paddocks sown this spring and continue into next year’s autumn and spring sowings.
“Ideally, it will incorporate a range of arable crops including cereals, grass and vegetable seed crops as well as maize,” she said.
Final try-out design will be discussed with individual growers depending on crop type, alternative-N source and paddock variables.
The general principles for each paddock will be three treatment areas: one strip-tramline where an alternative-N source is applied; one control strip of no applied N and the rest of paddock is standard grower treatment.
Pre-sow soil N testing will be done to ensure that try-outs are in paddocks where it is expected that the crop would respond to applied N.
FAR will support best timing and rates for each alternative N treatment.
Crop and soil variables will be monitored during and following the try-outs and N-leaching and greenhouse gas emissions will be assessed for each alternative.
Farmers interested in hosting the on-farm trials can contact Donna Lill at: donna.lill@far.org.nz
