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« Ag in Focus Victoria - Winter 2011

Nitrogen testing urged

Roger Armstrong

Roger Armstrong

Victorian grain growers should be extra careful with their nitrogen levels this year, DPI scientist Roger Armstrong warns.

"Having those wet conditions over summer there was a big opportunity for nitrogen to mineralise", Dr Armstrong said.

"But there was so much water and so much waterlogging that there was so much potential there to lose nitrogen.

"People ask me which one is it — I say that's why you've got to go out and soil test."

Dr Armstrong recommended carrying out soil testing, including a deep soil nitrogen test, measuring down about 100cm.

Ultimately, if farmers wanted to maximise yield they needed to adjust inputs accordingly.

"People might think they can put nitrogen on, but if you've got subsoil constraints you might not be able to use that nitrogen," Dr Armstrong said.

"Where you know you've got subsoil constraints you can cut back your nitrogen rates accordingly."

Dr Armstrong advised farmers to take into account weather conditions and their pre-sowing soil nitrogen test, if they had one.