Calcium nitrate and ammonium nitrate limestone as sources of nitrogen for oats and barley

Calcium nitrate and ammonium nitrate limestone (»Oulunsalpietari») were compared as the nitrogen fertilizer for oats in 15 field trials and for barley in one trial. The trials were carried out in summers 1959 and 1960 in various places in Finland. The split plot technique was employed in order to reduce the variation as much as possible. In 1959 the amounts of nitrogen applied as these two fertilizers to the corresponding halves of the plots were 25 and 50 kg/ha. In 1960 also higher applications were used: 75 and 100 kg/ha of N. In three trials these fertilizers were compared both as a surface dressing and worked in. Visual observations suggested about 5—6 weeks after sowing a darker green colour in the stands treated with calcium nitrate as compared with the other half treated with ammonium nitrate limestone. These differences later disappeared. In some trials a higher nitrogen content of the plants from the calcium nitrate stands could be demonstrated during this period. The uptake of nitrogen by plants was regularly followed throughout the growing period. Owing to the large variation, usually, no statistically significant difference between the effect of the fertilizers could be detected. In a few cases the superiority of calcium nitrate could be demonstrated. No differences in the ripening could be found. In most trials there was a fairly regular tendency to higher yields and higher nitrogen content in the grain and straw produced by calcium nitrate. Yet, only in a few cases were the differences statistically significant at the five per cent level. Thus, it was concluded that on the basis of the results of these trials ammonium nitrate limestone and calcium nitrate may be considered practically equal as nitrogen fertilizers for oats. There was no difference in the yields of barley produced by these two fertilizers, but the nitrogen content of grains was significantly lower with ammonium nitrate limestone than with calcium nitrate. This may be worth further study in connection with the production of malting barley.