Split N Applications of Nitrogen in Canola and Wheat

This document was produced by SaskCanola, Sask Wheat and the Western Applied Research Corporation (WARC), to support growers who are currently
participating in, or considering future participation in the Commissions’ on-farm trial programs.

Split application of nitrogen is a practice that involves applying a portion of total applied nitrogen (N) at seeding but also withholding a portion to apply in-season based on yield and/or quality goals. Producers might consider this practice for several agronomic and economic reasons.

There are potential benefits to split nitrogen applications. This practice can be a way to help manage risk by decreasing leaching and denitrification losses by only applying what the crop needs, when it needs it. Adding additional nitrogen to the crop in-season can potentially increase quality and yield. However, there are mixed results from across the prairies on yield and protein advantages in wheat mainly due to in-crop precipitation received and timing of the application.