Bokashi as An Organic Fertilizer Alternative for Winter Wheat.

Nitrogen fertility is essential for productivity of winter wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) em Thell]; organic wheat is no exception.  Unfortunately, many organic sources are quite expensive; however, the use of easily obtainable materials to prepare bokashi, an organic fertility source, could provide required N fertility.  The objective of this research was to compare bokashi against ammonium nitrate as an N source for winter wheat.  Bokashi was prepared using a 7-day anaerobic fermentation of wheat bran, soy cake, fish meal, zeolite, and molasses treated with a stock solution of Saccharomyces and Lactobacillus spp.  Field-grown wheat (near Lexington, KY in 2008-09) was treated at Feekes’ stage 3 (mid-March) with 0, 30, 60, or 90 kg ha^-1 N both as bokashi and as NH₄NO₃.  In addition to weekly ratings of leaf greenness, flag leaf N content, kernel protein content, and yield and yield components were recorded.  These results should provide essential information on the suitability of this particular organic fertilizer preparation to provide N in support of productive winter wheat.