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

Develop fertilizer management strategies which optimize fertilizer use efficiency for oats in the eastern sub-humid Prairie.

IPNI-2000-CAN-MB12

15 Mar 2001

Project Description

    Oat production in the eastern prairies has increased in recent years, and currently accounts for more than half of total Canadian oat production and exports. Despite the growing prominence of oats in current production systems, limited research on fertilizer management for oats has been conducted in western Canada.

    Fertilizers often account for a significant proportion of total input costs in cereal production systems, and may strongly influence crop growth, development, yield and quality. Therefore, a better understanding of the nutrient requirements and responses of oats is needed in order to develop fertilizer management strategies which optimize fertilizer use efficiency and crop yield, and thereby increase returns to producers. Moreover, improved fertilizer management of oats may help to enhance crop quality and thus the potential for producing high-quality oats that are suitable for more specialized milling and horse feed markets offering price premiums.