NO3‐N Soil Test—approaches to use and interpretation

Abstract

Nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N) soil tests have been instituted by several Great Plains States to aid in making nitrogen fertilizer recommendations. The NO₃‐N soil test is useful in the Great Plains because climatic conditions are such that NO₃‐N leaching is low and soil rooting depths are great. Essentially four basic approaches to the use and interpretation of the NO₃‐N soil test have been developed and are discussed. They are: (1) total amount of NO₃‐N extracted from a two foot soil profile is available to the growing crop; (2) only a portion of the extractable NO₃‐N is available to the growing crop; (3) other mineral nitrogen, such as NH₄‐N, is just as available to the growing crop and (4) some nitrogen becomes available from the soil organic matter. The NO₃‐N soil test requires that deep samples (two feet or more) be taken and that they are air‐dried as rapidly as possible. Late fall or early spring soil samples are necessary for interpretation of the NO₃‐N soil test.