Comparison of Nitrogen and Nutrisphere Nitrogen Fertilizer for Seed Safety in Wheat.

Adequate nutrient availability after seed germination is essential for crop growth. This study evaluated the effect of direct application of seven different nitrogen-based fertilizers on seed germination. Wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) was planted in rows 13 cm long in moist Ririe silt loam at a rate of ten seeds per row. Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN), Urea Ammonium Nitrate-Nutrisphere (UAN-N), Urea, JRS-CRN(Gal-Xc), Ammonium Sulfate Nitrate (ASN), Ammonium Sulfate (AMS), and Urea SSN fertilizer was directly applied to the seeds at rates of 0 kg/ha, 11.2 kg/ha, 16.8 kg/ha, and 33.6 kg/ha. Each treatment was contained in aluminum trays 13 x 33 cm in size. Plastic was placed over the trays to minimize moisture loss. Percent germination was recorded daily. The fertilizers with the least negative effect on germination were ASN and AMS which reached nearly 100% seed germination at all rates five days from planting. Gal-Xc, Urea and Urea SSN reached 90% seed germination at all rates seven days from planting.  UAN and UAN-N at all rates delayed germination and at higher application rates did not exceed germination of 65% after eight days. The Nutrisphere fertilizer treatment had the most negative effect on seed germination.