Understanding Nitrate Leaching

Despite volatilization and denitrification being the two primary forms of nitrogen loss in Canadian soils, leaching is a third form that, while less common, can be just as detrimental to crops—especially if you are applying UAN or anhydrous ammonia.

No matter if your applications are taking place in the spring, fall or as split applications, all nitrogen sources are subject to leaching after being nitrified to the nitrate form.

Understanding Nitrate Leaching Losses

Leaching occurs below ground when the nitrate form of nitrogen is moved below the root zone by an excess of water, such as with spring melt or irrigation. Risk factors that can contribute to nitrate leaching include:

Pre-plant, at-planting or early post-planting applications of untreated nitrogen fertilizer, which means longer exposure time between application and optimum plant uptake.
Loosely textured soils with high infiltration
Irrigated fields
Tile-drained fields
Above average rainfall and large precipitation events

Understand the loss risk you face with untreated nitrogen, and how adding a nitrification inhibitor, like CENTURO^® nitrogen stabilizer or SUPERU^® premium fertilizer, plays a key role in protecting your nitrogen investment.

Learn more by taking a deep dive into how you can minimize this form of loss.

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