Five reduced N demonstrations were included in the 1999 BIFS project, and field data from all 5 sites is available. These demonstrations proved to be the most successful of the alternative practices. |
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Rice leaves were sampled at panicle initiation and analyzed for total N,P, and K. Leaf tissue concentrations of N and P were generally unaffected by the reduced N treatment. Potassium uptake at some locations was enhanced at the higher N rate. However, tissue concentration for N and K remained in the adequate range at panicle initiation regardless of N treatment. |
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Differences in leaf color became apparent during heading at 2 of the 3 locations. Treatment differences were not visible at all locations. |
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The reduced N fields were noticeably more yellow at locations 2-2 and 2-3 only when viewed from the air. However, the lighter color, often indicative of lower tissue N, did not translate into yield reductions (refer to above graph). |
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At all five sites, the yields were comparable between the reduced N treatment and the conventional application rate. Degree of within-field-yield-variability was indistinguishable between the two treatments. |
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