NITROGEN AND FIELD PRODUCTION OF VEGETABLE CROPS

Getting the amount of nitrogen fertilizer right for vegetable crops involves careful analysis of sources of supply as well as demand. Failure to match supply and demand can lead to reductions in yield, or in the case of oversupply lead to reductions in quality, and increased risk of nitrogen loss by leaching. For maximum utilization of nitrogen from fertilizers they should be applied in a form that becomes available in synchrony with crop demand. Fertilizers should also be placed in the soil within the range of active crop roots. This paper highlights the main factors affecting the nitrogen requirements of field vegetable crops and how they can be met from soil reserves and from timely applications of fertilizer nitrogen.