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Effect of a Plastic Barrier under the Nitrate Band on Nitrogen Uptake by Plants¹

Field experiments were conducted on a Cecil sandy loam (Typic Hapludults) to test the effectiveness of a physical barrier (plastic trough) placed immediately beneath a band of nitrate fertilizer in preventing loss of fertilizer N from the root zone by leaching, as measured by plant growth and N uptake. Rye (Secale cereale) and corn (Zea mays) were used as test plants to evaluate the effect of the physical barriers upon fall and spring applied N. A split plot design was used for each experiment. Rye was harvested in December, March, and when the grain was in the dough stage. Eight corn plants were harvested from each plot 30, 37, 44, 52, 65, and 88 days after plant emergence. The total N content of plant samples taken at each harvest date was determined.

The applied N recovered in the rye forage was 76, 63, and 47% for the 45, 90, and 180 kg/ha rates of N, respectively. The applied N recovered in the corn grain was 33, 25, and 20% for the 68, 136, and 272 kg/ha rates of N, respectively. Placing a physical barrier immediately beneath the fertilizer band did not significantly (P < .05) increase the uptake of N by the plants or the plants' recovery of the fertilizer N.

Key Words: Rye • Corn • Nitrate leaching • Physical barrier

² Research Soil Scientists, USDA, Watkinsville, Ga. 30677; and Associate Professor, Soil Chemistry, University of Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station, Experiment, Ga., respectively.

Received for publication April 22, 1969.