On-farm assessment of an innovative dynamic fertilization method to improve nitrogen recovery in winter wheat
摘要
Worldwide, wheat Nitrogen (N) fertilization is often over-estimated, and rarely takes into account the actual dynamics of N nutrition during the growing season. It is well documented that uniform or high N fertilizer rates lead to low N use efficiency and environmental problems, resulting in low N recovery. Various site-specific approaches have been developed to better match N rates to the actual crop nutrient requirements. The current study presents an innovative approach to dynamic nitrogen fertilization, that integrates in-season monitoring of wheat N nutrition status, and fertilization decision rules to optimize nitrogen recovery and minimize N losses. This method was implemented and compared with the “balance-sheet” standard fertilization method, on 113 site*year, between 2018 and 2022, within an on-farm experimental network. The innovative approach resulted in similar wheat yield, protein content and partial margin than the standard method, while N rates were significantly reduced by 23 kg N ha−1 and N use efficiency improved by 6 points. In addition, this approach implies a significant change in farmers' practices and frame of reference, which in turn suggests further improvement in its effectiveness and appropriation.