Page 9 December, 2019 SARDA News
2019 Wheat Protein Trial Summary of Results Trial Overview
T
Treatment List
1. Check (0%N) he 2019 SARDA Ag Research Wheat Protein 2. Urea 100%N Trial is the first year of a new protein 3. Urea 70%N focused trial. In 2018 SARDA Ag Research 4. Urea 50%N + ESN 50%N was lucky enough to purchase a Foss 1241 wheat 5. Urea 35%N + ESN 35%N protein tester which allowed us to increase the 6. Urea 100% N+ UAN30% N at Heading workload of trials that have protein as a key factor. 7. Urea 70%N + UAN30% N at Heading 8. Urea 50%N + ESN 50%N + UAN 30%N at With the extra capacity we were able to create a Heading protein focused trial based on the needs of our local 9. Urea 35%N + ESN 35%N + UAN30%N at Heading producers. In 2018 the Peace Region saw a small spike in demand for high protein wheat and many producers brought up questions around how to use Summary of Results fertility to maximize protein. SARDA Ag Research Nitrogen Rate went to work to design and implement a trial for Wheat protein is expected to follow a certain trend those producers. when it comes to nitrogen (see fig. 1).
Trial Design
There are two major questions that we are asking with this trial. First, how much nitrogen is necessary to increase protein? Second, how do different nitrogen application methods effect protein? We tested ESN which is a slow releasing plastic coated urea and UAN which is a liquid nitrogen source along with our traditional urea nitrogen source.
Factor 1: Nitrogen Rate:
• 70% Recommended Nitrogen from Soil Test • 100% Recommended Nitrogen from Soil Test • 130% Recommended Nitrogen from Soil Test
Factor 2: Nitrogen Application Method: • Urea Side Banded at Seeding • ESN Side Banded at Seeding • UAN Dribble Banded at Early Heading
Fig. 1. Wheat protein to nitrogen relationship.
Graph from Montana State University, Clain Jones, Kathrin Olson-Rutz, Practices top Increase Wheat Grain Protein, May 2012.
When a wheat crop has sufficient nitrogen to reach the maximum yield potential the plant begins putting nitrogen towards protein content. Our trial results showed the treatments with 130% of the total nitrogen recommendation were significantly higher in protein. On average the protein increase by 0.4% with the increased nitrogen from 100% to 130% of recommended.
