Fertilizer N Efficiency & Utilization of Crops and Weeds in a Canola-Barley Rotation

Researcher:

Dr. Bob Blackshaw, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Lethbridge, Dr. Xiving Hao, Dr. K. Neil Harker, Dr. John T. O’Donovan, Eric Johnson and Cecil L. Vera (AAFC)

Project Code:

2009 PCAR Test 29

Final Report:

March 2010

Summary:

Nitrogen fertilizer is a major input cost in canola (Brassica napus L.) production and farmers are interested in improving nitrogen use efficiencies. A multi-site study in western Canada was conducted to determine the merits of polymer-coated urea (ESN) compared with urea on weed management and yield of hybrid and open-pollinated (OP) canola. Overall, the study results indicated that using ESN may reduce crop-weed competition for soil N, and can result in increased yield and may be advantageous in some situations. The study also showed that switching from urea to ESN could reduce N2O emissions, but the benefits were affected by crop, weed management and local weather conditions.