THE EFFECT OF NITROGEN TOP DRESSING ON YIELD AND PROTEIN CONTENT OF NITROGEN-DEFICIENT CEREALS

Abstract

Top dressings of ammonium nitrate were made during the growing season to crops of barley and oats showing symptoms of acute nitrogen deficiency. The addition of nitrogen in the early stages of plant growth resulted in increased vegetative growth and increased yields. Applications of nitrogen delayed until the shot-blade stage had little effect on yield, but substantially increased the protein content. The yield of protein per acre was increased with higher rates of fertilization, regardless of whether the effect of the added nitrogen was to increase yield or protein content.