Impact of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Chloride Fertilizer Management on the Growth and Yield of Oats

Oats grown for the milling and livestock feed markets have become a profitable crop diversification option for farmers in western Canada. Approximately 4 million acres of oats are currently grown, with acreage continually expanding. However, there is limited research available on fertilizer management. The objectives of this research are to determine the effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium chloride (KCl) on the growth, yield and quality and to determine the impact of varying combinations of N, P and KCl on the growth, yield and quality.

Preliminary analysis of yield data from 2001 showed positive effects of N on crop biomass and grain yield. Impacts of P and KCl were less pronounced. Phosphorus enhanced early-season growth but not grain yield; KCl increased grain yield at one of two sites. Few interactions among applied nutrients were evident. Nitrogen application resulted in an overall increase in crop biomass yield at tillering and heading at both field sites. At the clay loam site, a significant N by P interaction at tillering suggested a more pronounced yield response to N where P had been applied. A similar trend was evident at heading. Grain yield increased with N applications, and P application resulted in an overall increase in plant biomass at tillering at both sites. Despite the marked early-season responses to P, application of P had no effect on grain yield at either site. Application of KCl had no effect on final biomass yield of oats at either field site, except at the clay loam site where KCl reduced biomass yield at tillering. At the loam site, KCl resulted in a small increase in grain yield, although preliminary soil tests had indicated adequate soil K levels. MB-12F