After the drought, how much N is left for 2007?

How much nitrogen is left in southern soils after this year's prolonged drought? Cliff Snyder, Southeast Director for the Potash and Phosphate Institute touched on that question in his Production Pointers Blog last week.

Snyder wrote:

"To get some idea of the unused inorganic N in your soils this fall after crop harvest, consider collecting soil samples in 6-in. or 12-in. increments down to a clayey layer, or at least to 24 in.. In some areas, sampling to a depth of 36 to 48 in. is recommended to detect any surplus residual inorganic N. Many soil testing labs can advise farmers and crop advisers on the proper handling and shipping of soil samples to the lab and they can provide some guidance in interpretation of soil inorganic N levels. However, one should remember that a lot can happen to the inorganic N between this fall and next spring. So, whatever is detected now may not be present next spring, depending on the potential for leaching, runoff, and denitrification losses."