Fertilizing Small Grains in Arizona

Nitrogen (N) is the primary fertilizer nutrient required by small grain crops which include wheat, barley, triticale, and oats. A wheat crop at grain harvest contains about 35 pounds of N per 1000 pounds of grain at a grain protein content of 13%. The total amount of N contained in the crop will vary greatly depending on yield level and protein content of the grain (Table 1). The nitrogen content of a winter cereal forage crop such as wheat, barley, triticale, and oats will vary also depending on forage yield and protein (Table 2). If high yields are expected or high protein content is desired, the grower needs to increase N fertilizer rate accordingly. The crop N content and optimum N fertilizer rate are not identical due to contributions of N from the soil and water or losses of N that may occur throughout the season