Evaluation of Nitrogen Management in Cotton Production with Agrotain® Nitrogen Stabilizer

Nitrogen represents a substantial portion of input costs for cotton producers, and yet researchers report nitrogen fertilizer recovery efficiency (NRE) between 15 – 65%. Furthermore, agricultural practices that can directly affect NRE are changing, such as nitrogen source utilization (ammonium nitrate to urea) and tillage practices (conventional tillage to no tillage).  NBPT is a urease inhibitor marketed as AGROTAIN® stabilizer, and is known to reduce ammonia volatilization from surface applied urea. Research studies conducted by land-grant University personnel have demonstrated its efficacy in rice production in the Mid-South, and as a result the adoption rate by rice producers is high. However, nitrogen management in cotton is far more complex. A survey of University-led research on NBPT use in cotton and an updated understanding of its mode of action will be presented.