New Technology N Products in Alabama

Because of high fertilizer N prices, growers are interested in using less expensive sources of N and using fertilizer additives to reduce ammonia volatilization losses from urea sources.  An experiment on a Lucedale fine sandy loam in Central Alabama (Prattville Research Unit) was conducted in 2007 through 2011 to compare traditional and non-traditional sources of N for high-residue, conservation tilled corn and cotton under non-irrigated conditions.  Treatments varied slightly each year.  Yield differences in N sources were minor and generally would not justify one product over another.   Ammonia volatilization losses occurred within two or three days after application.  Materials evaluated included urea, ammonium nitrate, urea-ammonium sulfate blends, UAN solutions, Agrotain®, Nutrisphere®, ESN®, Nitamin N-fusion®, poultry broiler litter, calcium chloride, and others.