The depth of ammonia application is extremely important. The depth should be checked in the field. Use a spade to dig down through the injection zone to check depth. Ammonia should be injected 7 to 8 inches deep to minimize potential injury. Where possible, ammonia application at a slight angle to row direction will reduce the number of plants affected.
Ammonia injury causes desiccation of roots and die-back from the root tips.
Injury is first noted in the field by uneven emergence, slow growth of some plants, and wilting of plants in dry weather. Root injury is noted by browning of the roots and in severe cases roots will be completely killed and turned black back to the seed. Ammonia injury is detected more frequently in dry weather because roots are slow to develop and destruction of a portion of the root systems limits water uptake. This information subject to a usage policy .