Using the nitrogen mineralization soil test to predict spring fertilizer N rate for soft white winter wheat grown in western Oregon

Abstract

Soft white winter wheat is grown in western Oregon and requires a spring application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for optimum production. Determining the amount of N to apply has been a challenge for growers. Wheat obtains N from two sources: soil and fertilizer. Both available and mineralizable N can be measured to predict the spring fertilizer N rate for winter wheat by using the “N-min” soil test developed at Oregon State University.