Mid-row banding of nitrogen (N) in-season increased uptake of nitrogen fertiliser in wheat by more than 50 per cent – when compared with other methods of in-season N application – in Victorian trials last year.

Agriculture Victoria’s regional research agronomist Ashley Wallace, who has undertaken the work as part of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) Bilateral Research Agreement, described the outcomes from the trials as encouraging.

“Trials of mid-row banding of N in-season have produced promising results, including increasing fertiliser uptake by an average of 46% and up to 52% in wheat when compared with other methods of in-season N application,” Wallace said. “The method also boosted grain yield by up to 0.5 tonnes/hectare.”

Results from mid-row banding trials in 2016 – an exceptional year in terms of rainfall and yields in many parts of the southern region including the Wimmera and Mallee where the trials were conducted – are being validated this year, with further trials currently underway at Ultima, Horsham and Telangatuk.

Wallace said there had been a significant swing towards in-season management of N fertiliser in southern dryland cropping regions as growers looked to improve management amid variable seasonal conditions. The crop’s demand for N is largely determined by its yield potential, which is strongly related to growing season rainfall.

“The time when crops are sown is a period when seasonal forecasts and hence, yield predictions have limited accuracy,” Wallace said. “This makes decisions around N application up-front difficult and risky. Applying N during the growing season better matches the timing of application to crop demand.

“Unfortunately, surface application of N fertilisers such as urea during the growing season increases the risk of N loss through volatilisation."

A report of the 2016 trial results titled 'Mid-row banding nitrogen fertiliser in-season', co-authored by Mr Wallace, is available for viewing and downloading via the GRDC website.