Part 1, Section 7: Small Grains

Section 7 Table of Contents

Small grain in July in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania

SPRING OAT

Nutritional Requirements

Determine lime and fertilizer needs by soil test. Maintain a pH of 6.0 or above for oat seeded alone. Where legume seedings are made, maintain a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. In the absence of a soil test, refer to the most recent soil test available for the field and adjust rates according to values listed in Table 1.2-5. Spring nitrogen recommendations are given in Table 1.7-2. No adjustment is made to N recommendations for previous crops.

Table 1.7-2. Spring nitrogen recommendations for small grains.
  1. Base N recommendation for the typical yield given. This recommendation must be adjusted for different yield and for residual N from manure applications. (See table 1.2-14).
  2. If plants did not tiller well (reach Growth Stage 2) in the fall, topdress nitrogen by mid-March. Otherwise, topdress any time up to Growth Stage 5. (See Figure 1.7-2)
  3. Not more than lb of nitrogen should be applied with the drill. Any additional nitrogen should be worked into the soil before planting.
Small grain N recommendation¹
(lb N/bu/A)		 Typical
yield
(bu/A)		 Base N recommendation¹
(lb N/A)
Spring oats, spring barley³ 0.8 80 60
Winter barley² 0.8 80 60
Winter wheat² 1.0 60 60

All the fertilizer may be broadcast prior to planting or a portion applied with the drill and the remainder broadcast. To reduce fertilizer injury, do not apply more than 20 pounds (nitrogen) or 45 pounds (nitrogen + potash) per acre in the row with the seed.