Evaluation of N Products for Cotton and Corn.

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 (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Rhodic Paleudults) in Central Alabama  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. 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. Yield differences in N sources were minor and generally would not justify one product over another.   Ammonia volatilization losses in the field were measured for 14 d after sidedress application. Most volaltilization occurred within two or three days after application.